Diary Of An Apprentice Private OT 3

December 8th

I had my last blue badge clinic today, which was set in a remote assessment centre, so isolating me from the blue badge team. It isn’t the best day i have had in the service and i felt disheartened by it. Out of 10 appointments one did not attend, five were declined because they were evidently ineligible on grounds of their excellent health and mobility and one was a centre member’s mother and when I began the mobility part of the assessment, which the client seemed able to do well, the staff member began telling her to sit down and rest or she would tire herself out. I tried to explain that that is the point of the assessment, to see the point at which, a person becomes uncomfortable or unable to continue.  I was reprimanded for not taking the client’s ‘testimony’ as truth.

This made me think about the service and many others that are abused.  As an OT I come into contact with many people  who may need help and support and many who seem to do well without. It perplexes me that those who need help don’t ask and those who don’t need it don’t seem to stop asking.

Within my role this has been a difficult thing to encounter. As a basic therapist this would have been daunting, but with ongoing support and the example of my mentor, Matthew, I have developed a thicker skin and am happy to inform an individual that their requests will not be met because of desire, and are based on need and medical requirement.  I have also become a lot more aware of the legislation regarding adaptation, and have found it helpful to support my reasoning and explanations to clients.  I think it has even improved my confidence as a person, as well as a therapist, because i feel more confident in my opinions and feel able to state my case when i feel it necessary, and appropriate.

The end of the road……

As my final day approaches I have decided to look back on my time as an intern at Inclusion.

I began with curiosity and a blank canvas regarding Private OT work, expecting nothing and yet expecting something at the same time. A world of suits and expenses it is not.  I don’t know why I had the idea that life as a private OT would be any different to that of an NHS or Social Services OT, but it wasn’t too disimilar. The pay was a little better, admittedly, but we are still there to meet the needs of the general population, as and how our skills are required. The cases I received gave variety and kept me on my toes with the different procedures, either social services overflow, private assessments for insurance companies or access audits for huge shopping complexes, every day was an adventure. Those adventures included being lost in London, on more than one occasion, lost in Maidstone, on more than one occasion, and lost in the wider area…….on more than one occasion!

As for the company and the position in itself, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Inclusion and felt supported by the management with a training budget and regular supervision and guidance. No question was too silly or request too large, I could have enjoyed a career with Inclusion, but personal circumstances dictated another adventure for me, so to the next Intern or Senior OT at Inclusion, Good Luck and enjoy your adventures each day and appreciate one of the friendliest and most supportive bosses around.

So, with that, ‘Thank you’ to Matthew, Veronica and Jackie for making me feel so at home and for all the support.

You will be missed!

“………so will you Leia, thanks for all your hard work and good luck in your new role…….keep in touch!! Have a great Xmas and New Year as well x

(From all at Inclusion)”