Facilitating Independence with Everyday Activities: A Conversation About Occupational Therapy

In honour of Occupational Therapy Month (October) in Canada, Naomi Hazlett sits down with registered Occupational Therapist and previous guest host Eve Pervin, for a light-hearted and in depth interview all about the field of O.T. and the services both useful to blind people, and helpful for participants at BALANCE. Eve started at BALANCE while she was still a student at the University of Toronto, and worked full time with the organization from September of 2021 through September 2022. Longtime listeners might also recognize Eve’s voice from her Interview with David Lepofsky.

In this episode, Naomi and Eve discuss the lessons Eve has learned working as an O.T. with blind and partially sighted clients of all ages, as well as the myths and misconceptions surrounding both the world of blindness and the field of occupational therapy itself. Hear some of Eve's memorable stories about helping clients with cooking in the kitchen, applying makeup in the mirror, making devices with touch screens accessible, and finding alternative ways of reading books and other print materials.

The two also discuss the intersectionality and plurality of clients served by BALANCE and how the clients themselves are at the centre of decision-making and program planning as an Occupational Therapist. Finally, Eve provides some words to the wise for O.T's of all ages and stages in their careers, and also health care practitioners across all walks of life.

You can read more about the field of Occupational Therapy through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, and click here if you would like to book an appointment with an O.T. at Balance.

You can contact Eve by sending her an email, and following her on LinkedIn.

Get in touch with the podcast by joining our Listeners Facebook group, or sending us an email at LivingBlindPodcast@BalanceFBA.org.

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The show notes and transcription for this podcast can be found at BalanceFBA.org/Podcast.

Donate to BALANCE: https://www.balancefba.org/donate/