3 minute read
Occupational Therapists Serving the Community in Different Hats
Occupational therapists view the world holistically, and perform many valuable roles in a range of health care and social service settings. It is therefore not surprising to find many occupational therapists in our communities also wearing different hats outside their profession. I have met occupational therapists who are professional dancers, game and app designers, visual artists, fashion models, environmental and human rights advocates, marriage celebrants, as well as sailors, soldiers, airmen, and airwomen.
As an occupational therapy university student many years ago, I was also exploring how I could offer my service with the Australian Defence Force, having been touched and inspired by the ANZAC spirit since a child. It did not take long to realise that while there were doctors, nurses, dentists, psychologists, physiotherapists, and pharmacists in ADF uniform, occupational therapy was not an available specialisation. I overcame this hurdle by being prepared to consider the many other roles and jobs available—like logistics, administration, and aviation across the three ADF branche—and eventually joined as a reservist while also working as a mental health occupational therapist.
Over the years, however, I met many students and occupational therapists who shared their disappointment that our profession—with potential to offer so much in a military setting—was not yet an option as an ADF specialisation.
Thinking optimistically, I believe there will eventually be occupational therapists serving
Adam Lo, Mental Health Occupational Therapist
in ADF uniform, similar to our counterparts in the United States. For the time being, there are many practising occupational therapists who are currently serving, or have already served, in the defence force either as reservists or permanent members–supporting their communities in more ways than one. This includes providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to our neighbouring countries, defence assistance to the civil community during national emergencies like bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as peacekeeping and warlike operations.
One such occupational therapist who is serving the community in different hats, including the slouch hat, is Sean Boyle. Sean works in the disability sector supporting Queenslanders with traumatic injuries. He previously worked in specialist workplace rehabilitation, return-to-work coordination and assessments, and as a health advisor within the mining sector. He is also a corporal in the Australian Army Reserve who was previously deployed on peacetime operations in Australia and surrounding regions, and more recently on Operation Bush Fire Assist and Operation COVID Assist.
As for me, I feel honoured to be one of the aides-de-camp to Paul de Jersey, the Governor of Queensland, in my current reservist role in the Royal Australian Air Force. By supporting the work of the governor in carrying out his constitutional, ceremonial, and community duties for all Queenslanders, it has given me the opportunity to serve the community in many ways. This includes recognising the tireless work of volunteers in the community, celebrating the achievements of people and organisations who contributed significantly in fields such as education, health, law, science, literature, and the arts, as well as honouring our veterans, emergency service personnel, and those who demonstrated acts of bravery and selflessness to others.
Whenever an occupational therapist encounters another occupational therapist in the community, there is usually an immediate sense of connection and familiarity. That sense of connection is magnified significantly when occupational therapists encounter one another who are also serving defence force members or veterans.
In closing, I wish to pay my compliments to all fellow occupational therapists who are serving our communities with various hats—in addition to our unique occupational therapy hat—with passion, purpose, proficiency, and infinite possibilities.
Adam Lo and Sean Boyle
