Georgia Vine
I got into disabled activism around 17 and in a way, I’ve always known that my disability would never be something that I ignored. Since starting (guest) blogging in 2017 my strategies of managing my disability has change with age but many of the changes that I have made has been a result of my studies. For example, that way I manage my speech impairment (don’t worry I’m not going in to that again).
I’m not very good at doing nothing, a perfect example is right now as I seat here writing on a Sunday afternoon when I probably should put a cosy film on. Yet, studying occupational therapy and knowing about the importance of occupational balance- self-care, productivity and leisure has made me realise that I do need to rest.
Managing the physical aspects of my disability have changed massively as I am more aware of the importance of my posture which is something that I knew a little bit about before but was never on the priority list. Now I always try to sit and work on my laptop in my blue chair!
I have also increased my workouts and my physio which I’ll be honest I wasn’t that good at whereas now it’s part of my regular routine (well it was I need to pick it back up again as this autumn been busy so far but I certainly have the motivation.
As a disabled person of course you’re an expert by experience of managing your disability and you know what works for you better than anyone else. Yet, knowing my occupational therapy theory has allowed me to analyse the way I manage my disability to make adjustments to make my life easier.
A good example is that I’ve totally graded driving. I would have hoped that my confidence with driving would be higher as a year ago and this does frustrate me as I wish I wasn’t as scared but I’m getting there all because I’ve graded this. Since finishing university I’ve been going out more and my confidence is already improving (also blaming the fact that I’ve had nowhere to go in lockdown).
I’ve always been as independent as I can be, and I strive to be more independent moving forward as I think about the future and I do feel part of that increase in my confidence and ability to gain more independence has come from my studies. Age is also a factor as discussed but my studies has certainly enabled me to feel more confident as a 21-year-old occupational therapist and disabled woman navigating the world.
a 21-year-old Newly Qualified Occupational Therapist and an ambassador for CP Teens UK. I am a disability blogger writing about my lived experienced of disability and life as a disabled occupational therapist. In 2021 I was named a Rising Star on the Shaw Trust’s #DisabilityPower100
CP Teens UK Upcoming Disability Blogger of the Year 2020
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