I trained at Brighton University in the late 1990s and although I desperately had wanted to become a Physiotherapist from a young age I found University quite challenging. I felt I was learning all these techniques and wasn’t always sure how to put them into practice.

I was fortunate enough to have two paediatric placements during my training. One at Chailey Heritage a world renowned Peadiatric school centre as well as a placement under a senior Bobath Tutor. Paediatrics was a game changer. It was like starting fresh and being taught practically on the job exactly what I was meant to do. I fell in love with all areas of Paediatrics. It was some thing we only touched on at university and during my placements I was nurtured and taught to make up for this. What a turn around, I will always remember my tutors and thanks them for starting me out on my Paediatric journey.

After graduating from University I set out to work anywhere that had rotational placements that included Paediatrics. My first post was at Crawley and Horsham hospital (UK). During my paediatric Rotation I thrived and was offered a full time position setting up there first Musculoskeletal Paediatric service covering both hospitals. I worked in Christ hospital school ( a prestigious independent school) running a paediatric sports clinic as well as the hydrotherapy service. Here I set up the first groups for 3 age ranges for children with connective tissue disorders and Hyper-mobility. This remains a passion. My boss at the time was exceptionally encouraging of further education and during this time I was sent on at least 10-12 courses. After 2 years I decided to challenge myself further.

During the next several years I worked as a locum Paediatric Physiotherapist in Oxford, Dumfries and Harlow covering all aspects of Paediatrics, wards, orthopaedics, schools and community, Hydrotherapy, Normal variant clinics, Talipes, Equipment and Orthotics.

At this point I attained my New Zealand registration and moved to Hawkes bay where I worked in all aspects of paediatrics in the community. During this time I was published along side a OT peer of mine in the Paediatric Physiotherapy journal for an article we wrote following a trial of Constraint induced movement therapy with our Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy children. During all this time I attended as many cases as I could. Too many to mention here but subjects such as Neuromuscular conditions, Rheumotolgy and pain.
I became extremely happy to attend courses and feedback to my peers. At each place I have worked I have disseminated as much knowledge as I could through In-service training and have championed the setting up of initiatives to maintain this. During this time I had roles mentoring and supporting new staff, students and new grads. This is a true passion of mine. To see young people who are perhaps scared they don’t know enough about paediatrics to take the leap and try. I returned to the UK and continued to locum and then got called back to Nz again in 2007 to work in Auckland. A hugely challenging role working in south Auckland with a complex caseload.

I stayed in paediatrics in the UK after this for 2 years and then married and decided to take a career break to have my two sons. This is some thing I feel happy about as having time to see two boys and their normal development up close I feel really gave me that true in-depth knowledge of child development.

After a career break I applied for a job in Auckland at Starship Community where I completed my return to practice with flying colours. I yet again set up inservice training initiatives and ran my community caseload along side and complex orthotics clinic. Orthotics is a huge interest to me and I have been very fortunate to do the Cascade course twice over the years and work very closely with experienced orthotists to collaborate on very complex cases. Here I renewed my training in Wheelchairs, seating, equipment and lying supports.
I then moved to Northland DHB due to my husbands work in search and rescue. Here I spent 2 years covering a large community caseload .

My passion really is about inspiring, fostering and empowering new paediatric Physiotherapists to get involved. My second passion is supporting and reinvigorating Physiotherapists who feel they have become stuck or need to discuss hard situations, burn out, fatigue or conflict.

At present I am living in the middle of Europe and I have set up my mentoring business to use my experience and depth of knowledge and skills as well as specific experiences to reach out to all Paediatric Physiotherapist and support them to get the best out of themselves and their role. To help with career decisions. To support them with trying and supervision and guide them through challenging cases or situations in the work place. Please feel free to read testimonials from colleges over the years and some of my clients.