Book launches to highlight the life-changing outcomes that occupational therapy can deliver to clients

As a contributing author, Kate Sheehan, Occupational Therapist (OT) and Director of The Occupational Therapy Service, is supporting the launch of a new book entitled ‘The Power of OT’ by fellow OT and author Martina Tierney.

With 40 years of experience as an OT, Martina has taken time to reflect on the profession and hopes to inspire others by showcasing the true essence of occupational therapy.

The book comprises of “heartfelt stories from OTs”, and, alongside her contributors, Martina aims to highlight the life-changing outcomes the practice can deliver to clients with mobility and healthcare challenges. Ultimately, she hopes her publication becomes an integral part of educational reading lists so student OTs can appreciate the difference their chosen career pathway can make. Her long-established peer Kate Sheehan was honoured to provide a contributing chapter to the book.

Interviewed at the OT Show, Martina commented: “I am very proud to launch my new book as I want to inspire new and established occupational therapists and promote the profession of OT.

“I have told my story and the story of many OTs from across the world and one of my contributors I’m delighted to say is Kate Sheehan. Kate is someone I’ve admired for years as she’s been a well-known trailblazer in the OT world for over 25 years. She’s made such a difference to the profession, and it’s been an honour to have her as part of the book.”

Kate also attended the book launch at the exhibition and subsequent evening reception at the prestigious Genting Hotel, NEC.

“For me like Martina, I want to influence occupational therapists in the future, but I also want to promote occupational therapy and the uniqueness of it,” said Kate. “I want to highlight the difference it can make to the clients and patients we work with and what it means to them. I’ve contributed to this book with a view to hopefully helping the next generation of occupational therapists, but also the wider public.

“I actually want to underline what we can do and look to make sure people can achieve what they want in life and not just exist when mobility becomes a challenge.

“I think sometimes as healthcare professionals we can get stuck in a little bit of a rut and what is really important about the stories in this book, is they show the depth and breadth of what occupational therapy can achieve.

“For every OT starting out, I want them to realise the career they have chosen will always be an inspiring one, with no boundaries in terms of patient outcome and career reward.”