This week at CHD Living, we’re celebrating Occupational Therapy Week; an awareness week that shines a light on all the amazing ways they make a positive impact on peoples’ lives.
So, we’ve spoken to our occupational therapist, Leanne, to find out what she loves most about her role at CHD Rehabilitation.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your name, and what’s your role at CHD Rehabilitation?
My name is Leanne McHugh, and I’m CHD’s occupational therapist.
2. How long have you been working at CHD Rehabilitation?
I joined the CHD family 18 months ago.
3. Can you share a brief background of your journey so far in the rehab world?
Before starting my OT training, I worked as a rehabilitation assistant in a neurorehabilitation ward and in the community, delivering both occupational therapy and physiotherapy intervention. I then went off to study Occupational Therapy at the University of the West of England; here, I undertook placements in community neurorehabilitation, and at a specialist brain injury rehabilitation centre, which I loved.
After qualifying, I worked in the community rehabilitation team in West London, where I worked with individuals with a range of conditions such as MS, MND, stroke, brain injury and orthopaedic conditions. I then moved onto Northwick Park hospital, where I worked across the acute rehab wards, A&E and the rapid response team. However, I knew that neuro rehabilitation was where I wanted to specialise, and so I applied for a senior role. I started my senior role in the community rehabilitation team as newly qualified, and held both a general rehabilitation caseload and neuro specialist caseload. When I saw that CHD had an opening for an occupational therapist role, I jumped at the chance as I wanted to use my clinical skills in a specialist inpatient rehab service.
4. What reasons prompted you to begin a career in rehab?
My younger brother has autism, which inspired me to become an occupational therapist. I love rehab as it is so varied, and the impact you can have on an individual’s life is so rewarding.
5. Can you tell us more about what your average day looks like at CHD Rehabilitation?
Every day, I see a resident for therapy. This might be a personal care session, postural management, upper limb rehabilitation, or practising shopping and getting on/off public transport - the day is always varied.
6. What’s the most rewarding part of working in care and rehab?
Knowing that you have enabled someone to achieve their goals, however big or small.
7. Have you had any particularly memorable experiences with a resident or colleague? If so, can you give a few details?
One of my favourite therapy sessions was with a lady who had a brain injury - she was a young mother and was wheelchair bound and had some speech difficulties. Her goal was to return home to live with her family, and she was keen to return to looking after her children as this was what she loved doing.
During our sessions, we had completed the practice of getting on and off the bus in her wheelchair. And, together with the speech therapist and psychology team, we completed lots of work on her confidence in communicating with other people in the community. One day, we planned to pick her young children up from school which was the first time since her injury 2 years before. Seeing her children run up to her in the playground and her chatting to the other parents was so emotional, and I will remember it forever.
8. What makes CHD Living, and in particular CHD Rehabilitation, different?
We go above and beyond to ensure that our residents have a good quality of life. Our therapy sessions are tailored to our residents’ needs, and we strive to ensure that what we do in therapy is translated into that person’s everyday life at home - such as going out for a coffee with friends, or catching the bus to go shopping!
9. What do you enjoy most about your role?
Everyday is different!
10. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
I love spending time with my friends and family, especially if it involves bottomless brunch!
11. Can you sum up CHD Living/CHD Rehabilitation in 3 words?
Supportive, family and enabling
Thank you to Leanne for taking a few moments to tell us more about her role. We would like to congratulate her for all the amazing work she does at CHD Rehab - it’s wonderful to see the positive impact she has on the lives of those who live with us.
If you’d like to send your good wishes to Leanne, or simply find out more about what we’ve been getting up to, please do take a look at our social channels.