Occupational Therapy Week - Participation changes everything
Live music, theatre and musicals have always played a huge part in Trish’s life.
From The Jam, Pink and Boyzone to Andrea Bocelli in a stadium or theatre in Oxford, or West End shows like Billy Elliot or Jesus Christ Superstar, she has travelled all around the country to attend multiple shows a year.
But such a large part of Trish’s life could have disappeared for good when a simple cut on her foot led to a below-knee amputation. The amputation came after a two-year battle against repeated infections, sepsis, dozens of hospital stays and near-death experiences, leading to a deterioration which doctors said could only be rectified by removing the affected part of her left leg.
Today (2 Nov) is the start of Royal College of Occupational Therapists Occupational Therapy week 2026 with the theme of participation being fundamental to health, wellbeing and quality of life. It means being able to do the things that matter to us, including learning, working, caring for family, connecting with others, enjoying hobbies and contributing to our communities.
Trish’s recovery journey is a good example of Oxfordshire County Council working towards these principles.
Confidence to go out again
Trish was fully independent before the amputation, and had a dog-walking business, was sociable and was at the centre of her daughters’ lives. This was in stark contrast to being fully dependent day and night in the initial days after returning home following an five- week hospital stay after the surgery.
Now living in a single room of her two-storey home, currently unable to get up the stairs or cross the threshold of the front door due to a small step, she started to feel like a burden.
While support is ongoing to help with tasks around the home and find solutions for basic everyday living, a milestone in her recovery and confidence was to go to the Michael Bublé concert at Blenheim Palace just ten weeks after the surgery – tickets she had bought tickets to many months before.
OT's in action
The operation went ahead in April this year and she was entitled to support from Oxfordshire County Council’s Home First Occupational Therapy team within the Adult Social Care service. Olivia Turner, Occupational Therapist, and Joanna Edgley, Occupational Therapy Apprentice, were assigned to help her adjust to being back home.
“I don’t know what I would do without Olivia and Joanna,” said Trish.
“They have been brilliant, helping me in my home but also helping me with the confidence to go back and enjoy live music.
“I loved going to Michael Bublé and Bon Jovi at Wembley Stadium.
“It is a lot different now, as I have to plan more because I have a wheelchair at the moment, find accessible accommodation and step-free tube stations. But it won’t stop me. I love music, it is really important to me and to share with my daughters.
“I am also looking forward to being a grandmother for the first time.”
Olivia said: “This is why I love my job and wanted to be an Occupational Therapist.
“We are seen as people who help with how someone recovers after major surgery like Trish’s, or an illness. Usually, we are seen as people who help with equipment or adaptations so people can complete activities of daily living or adapt the way everyday tasks are carried out to increase someone’s independence.
“But it is about what makes people happy and helping them to regain occupational identity to participate in meaningful activities and, in Trish’s case, it is her love of live music.”
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