Paraig O'Brien is my former boss and an inspiration to me. He has transformed policy around Housing Adaptations for people with disabilities in his native Northern Ireland and across the UK.

He shared some eye-opening experiences of being an Allied Health Professional during the Northern Irish "Troubles" conflict period such as the time he was shot or when there was an attempted car-jacking as he tried to deliver bathing equipment to a service user.

Cross-departmental collaboration has been a theme throughout his career where he has sought to combine the skillsets of Product Designers, Researchers, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists with the feedback from service users and their caregivers to make sure that equipment and services for those living with disabilities really meets their needs.

Occupational Therapy is a family affair for Paraig, he was originally inspired by his Aunt Brenda and his daughter as an OT is also now the Long Covid lead for Ireland. Paraig and I discussed our personal experiences of injury and how it has allowed us to really feel what it is to be a patient - vulnerable from loss of function and relying on the help of healthcare professionals in our rehabilitation.

Paraig shares his passion for being a keen musician and a sailor. He reflected on how he has had to use his OT skills in a voluntary role he has in a local sailing club for people with issues with mental health or physical disabilities.

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode - your feedback helps shape future episodes. If you know of a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect. Drop me an email at ⁠⁠⁠martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com⁠⁠⁠.

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Thanks so much for listening and supporting the show!⁠⁠

Martina