Exploring with curiosity and wonder: I never started by thinking I will have 4 specialities. This happened and developed over time as new opportunities presented themselves. I'm a Neurophysio and for over 23 years I have only ever wanted to do Neurophysio. To be a better Neurophysio, I always think about the whole and so many years I worked with clients with complex neurological conditions and hence 17 years ago my journey and second speciality of Posture Management and complex seating stated. And I've loved it ever since. My brain is really interesting in that I have applied and use Posture Management with all my clients both walking and wheelchair users (active wheelchair users in rigid frame wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs alike).
Part of my personality is that I hate being pigeonholed! I love and enjoy being different. I love swimming upstream when others or the norm is swimming downstream. I'm passionate about helping all my clients and if no off the shelf seating option is available and optimal, then we look at making a seating system that will enhance functional ability with comfort, control etc. This is what I love. Thinking outside the box is what I do best... And seeing it all come together in the end and my client happy, comfortable, and independent is the best feeling ever!!
This journey started with curiosity and wonder. Rehabilitation can be so different if we also approach it with curiosity and wander…. Let’s try things and see what happens. Let’s see how my body responds when I try something new. This is how we figure out what works and what doesn’t work for us. Also; just because something didn’t work the first time, doesn’t mean it’s not pursuing again later. Sometimes it also about timing.
My third speciality is in functional electrical stimulation. I started using NMES and FES in 2005 with small handheld systems and wired walking leg systems. At the time when I started to use the FES wireless systems and the FES bikes, not many therapists were using these. I've loved how technology has advanced and over the past 7 years I've used and set up so many clients in clinical physio sessions with wireless walking leg and wireless hand FES systems as well as leg FES bikes over the past 12 years. I want to make an impact and a difference in all my clients lives. FES really helps with achieving this goal. There a noticeable before and after difference that helps more and more clients wanting to trial these systems with each year that passes.
My fourth speciality is rehabilitation machine and mat-based Pilates. My experience with my own back injury at the age of 22 years old opened up my eyes to pilates rehabilitation and the difference that it can make. In 2008, I was exposed to reformer pilates and started using it with my neuro clients with amazing results. I embarked on a 7-month rehabilitation course where I had to learn and practice over 100 exercises on myself and with clients. The exploration of what your body can do through movement is just amazing. I love how Pilates helps me as well as my clients get out of our heads and into our bodies to really experience the movement. The results that clients get along with the increased body awareness and curiosity for movement is just amazing! Machine-based Neuro Pilates has also taught me how to work smart with the body instead of hard. The amazing results we achieve with low body weight resisted work really makes a difference so for many clients as the body has the opportunity to be challenged in a different and very functional way.
Ps: If you have not signed up for my free 5-day arm or leg mobility challenge or 3 -day wheelchair shoulder mobility challenge and would like to do so now, click on the link below and sign up to do it at a time of your choosing.
