On Wednesday, March 9th I’m honored to be presenting a Masterclass to the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland, Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disorder Advisory Group:
“Tips for Parenting with Arthritis, and Reflections and Insights on how to Cope and Live a Meaningful Existence with Rheumatoid Arthritis.”
This is an event for occupational therapists and it’s open to practitioners around the world – you can register at https://www.aoti.ie/events/
I look forward to blending my personal experiences as a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, with my professional lens as an occupational therapist!
Why are people with rheumatoid arthritis not given better support?
Many of you have heard me go on my soapboxes before, but I want to say yet *again* how many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are left on their own to try to function in daily life, when an occupational therapist could have provided much needed assistance.
This is particularly true in the postpartum days and while parenting a “big kid.” I truly hope that through educational events like this and through additional awareness endeavors, people living with RA will get better professional help in the
future!
Occupational therapists can help people with rheumatoid arthritis!
I truly don’t understand why children are referred to OT and receive OT for fine motor challenges, yet adults with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis are often not given a referral unless it is for severe deformities or hand therapy. It’s why I switched from pediatrics to my current “non-traditional” role as the head of Arthritis Life and the founder of my Rheum to THRIVE and RA Roadmap programs!
My dream for newly diagnosed patients
My dream for all new patients is that they would get support from a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary team, including occupational therapists, social workers, registered dietitians, counselors, physical therapists, pharmacists, nurses and of course rheumatologists and other MD specialists.
What do you think, what would your dream team look like? Let me know in the comments!
