A month since the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress in Bangkok and I still can’t quite grasp that I’ve had this once in a lifetime experience. I enjoyed every second of it, right from the day before the conference when we landed (although very jet lagged).
The whole experience was so, surreal like I said even just being in Bangkok, the furthest I’ve ever travelled to felt like a dream never mind being there with my colleagues attending a WFOT. I feel very fortunate that I got to experience this event with colleagues, I mean I love to network and I’m sure I would have enjoyed the conference regardless but being their with 3 colleagues from work 2 other colleagues from a research project I am involved in was so so special. Like I said it certainly was a pinch me moment!
The conference began with some traditional Thai dancing what a way to welcome us all to the country and congress it was very emotional actually because after a year of planning we made it! Then Elspeth Froude gave a brilliant open plenary about meaning and purpose it certainly felt very OT!! That first afternoon was so spectacular we then got the opportunity to network and at last I met colleagues from America that I had been talking to online for years! Again surreal!!
Now don’t worry I am not going to talk you through the conference step by step just some key highlights (but there is a lot)! The second day of the conference however may be one of the best days of my life no word of a lie. Both my posters were spotlighted in the programme this day and I made the most of it telling anyone who would talk to me about my PhD and my book.
Now, the ultimate pinch me moment was meeting Karen Whalley Hammell (an anti-ableist activist in the profession), I really was fangirling here I didn’t even know what to do apart from ‘Hi, I love your work’ so many questions I could have asked her but I didn’t. We did have a good conversation though and she asked me about my work and told me she had a copy of my book on her bookshelf. My jaw practically hit the floor, talk about disbelief. I didn’t managed to pluck up the courage to say I’d really love to work with you though, I think for now that’s just a dream until I figure out how to be normal around Karen!
I brought some flyers about my book, I completely forgot to hand them out though I was too busy relishing every conversation I had! Luckily though, Jared, didn’t forget and kept reminding me! The first time he reminded me I was speaking to Micheal Iwama I remember handing him a flyer, thinking who the hell do I think I am? He took it though and was really interested! We had a great chat and even had lunch with him that day, pinch me still can’t get over that happened!
Then after a busy and exciting day at the conference we finished the day off with a river cruise on the Chao Phraya River. 20 occupational therapists (and Jared), seeing the temples lit up at night, unlimited food and drink, entertainment, best 2 hours of my life! It was so special to do that with all my colleagues and friends and most of all Jared, I am just so lucky!!
Back to the conference and it was time to be a cheerleader for all my amazing colleagues presenting their work! Seeing my fellow colleagues Samantha Tavendar, Joanne Donbavand and Sarah Fletcher-Shaw present on their PhD’s just filled me with pride I’m so lucky to work with you all! To be honest I think I enjoyed watching you all present more than anything how lucky am I to work with some powerful female leaders in the profession everyday!! But it’s not just those I work with everyday… My children’s OT crew Holly Graham Rob Molloy, Benita and Stella loved hanging out with you all and of course I was filled with enormous pride watching Holly and Benita share our survey findings.
The closing plenary was again thought provoking and got us thinking about the future of the profession and made me think about my future role as an activist in the profession. My love for the profession is so strong and I will continue to challenge it to make it better!!
Friday came conference was out off to see the elephants! What a dream to have this experience on top of the conference with my friends and Jared. Bangkok 2026, will never forget!
I look forward to following up on my connections now from across the globe and seeing where they take me! I really, wish we could do it again but we can’t we need to move forward together now, maybe I will see everyone in 2030!
Last but by no means least, I’d like to thank my incredible partner Jared for coming with me on this trip I mean I couldn’t have gone without you never mind your commitment to be in the constant company of OTs both in and out of the conference. I am one lucky girl!
An incredible trip with incredible people, thank you everyone who has played a part in my journey and got me here. I will never forget and never not be grateful!
Georgia. X
