The inked OT

15/01/2023

🧠 Neuroplasticity 🧠

Neuroplasticity is a complex process. At it’s core, it refers to the brain’s ability to learn, grow and change, functionally and structurally, as a result of new experiences.

In this post, I’ve *tried* to sum up the key processes involved in neuroplasticity, the difference between functional and structural plasticity, and how all of this relates to occupational therapy and neuro rehabilitation.

This is by no means a comprehensive post, and I would encourage you to do further reading if this is a topic you are interested in. There is no way I could condense this topic into 10 slides, but I have tried my best to give a very basic overview of why the concept of neuro plasticity is so important in neuro rehab.

Stayed tuned, as I also have a post called “10 Principles of Neuroplasticity” coming up soon for you.

Have anything to add? Please comment below!
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03/12/2021

📣 REBRANDING ALERT 📣

Hey everyone! I’ve decided to rebrand myself and you will be seeing different post designs and hopefully a more real expression of myself from here on out!

In the spirit of total honesty, I feel like the “neutral/natural aesthetic” I originally started with has been done before. Please don’t get me wrong, I LOVE it! It’s calm and soothing and visually pleasing. But it just doesn’t feel like me, and I guess it never really did, when I’m honest with myself. Rather, it feels like I’m trying to squeeze myself into a mould that would lead to exposure and success.

I didn’t consciously set out to rebrand myself. I had a sudden thought while lying in bed last night, that I could call myself “the tattooed OT”. I thought this could be a fun way to identify myself within the OT digital sphere moving forward, and bring some more of myself to the online world. My sister suggested “the inked OT”, which feels much more natural. So today, I’ve been carefully designing my new post templates on Canva and working out what feels like *me*. Not what I think instagram wants me to be.

Tattoos are a huge part of my self expression. I have been getting tattooed for the last 11 years and have plans for many more. As a huge art lover, they allow me to present myself and my body in ways that I choose. Some of my tattoos are meaningful to me, and some I just like the look of. They are a huge part of how I show myself to the world and live authentically, and if OT isn’t focused on that, then I don’t know what is.

For my entire life, especially as a tattooed woman, I have heard “what about when you get older?”. This question has really been on my mind lately. What’s wrong with being a tattooed, older woman? Is my worth dependent on the way my skin is preserved over time? Will I be happier as a non-tattooed elderly person, compared to having lived a life where I expressed myself and designed my body in a way that I find joy in?

I’m hoping that embracing my tattoos and allowing my expression will create an authentic professional identity for both myself and my clients.

Thank you for listening to me ramble, and I hope you like what you see moving forwards.

19/09/2021