In this deeply honest and powerful episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast, we are joined by Michele Roys, author, podcast host, and advocate, to discuss her experience of living with trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and chronic pain.

Michele shares the profound impact that invisible illnesscan have on identity, daily life, relationships, work, and emotional well-being. From being a highly driven, ambitious, and independent person to navigating severe chronic pain, fatigue, grief, and uncertainty, Michele speaks openly about the psychological and practical realities of rebuilding life afterillness.

Together, we explore:

· Living with invisible illness and chronic pain

· Trigeminal neuralgia and fibromyalgia

· The emotional impact of life-changing diagnoses

· Occupational loss, identity, and redefiningpurpose

· Pacing, fatigue management, and “spoon theory”

· Self-compassion, boundaries, and adaptingexpectations

· Navigating healthcare systems and advocating foryourself

· The importance of validation and being believed

· Holistic approaches to wellbeing and healing

The role of Occupational Therapy in supporting everydayparticipation and adjustment

Michele also discusses the inspiration behind her book ButYou Look Fine and her own podcast, where she shares conversations around resilience, healing, mindset, and navigating life when circumstances changeunexpectedly.

This episode is an important conversation about the hiddenrealities of chronic illness and the strength it takes to rebuild identity, meaning, and participation in everyday life. It offers insight not only for healthcare professionals, but for anyone living with chronic illness, supporting a loved one, or trying to better understand the lived experience ofinvisible disability.

Link to purchase Michele's book https://www.omahonys.ie/but-you-look-just-fine-my-journey-to-rediscover-joy-amidst-chronic-pain-and-invisible-illness-p-10614055.html

Mary McCarron, Director of ConnectNeurotherapy Services, shares her expertise in complex neurological rehabilitation and medical-legal practice. We explore working with individuals with brain injury, neurobehavioural presentations, and the challenges ofbalancing autonomy with risk.

Mary speaks about vocational rehabilitation, meaningful occupation, and the profound impact of helping clients rediscover their capabilities and identities. She also offers guidance for OTs considering a career in neuro, emphasising supervision, confidence, and lifelong learning.

An insightful episode highlighting the transformative power of occupation in neurological recovery.

Website Connect Neurotherapy Services

In this episode, Sharon Leahy shares her extensive experience in neurorehabilitation, from her work in the National Rehabilitation Hospital to her current role with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in the West of Ireland.

We explore the lifelong impact of acquired brain injury in children and young people from the invisible cognitivechallenges and fatigue to the emotional adjustment experienced by families.Sharon speaks candidly about the need for community-based rehabilitation and the importance of supporting the whole family system following brain injury.

A central theme of this conversation is assistive technology. Sharon demystifies what assistive technology really meanshighlighting simple, accessible tools like dictation, read-aloud features, calendar apps, and voice assistants, alongside higher-tech solutions such as environmental control systems and alternative access methods. She emphasises that technology doesn’t need to be futuristic or expensive to be powerful, sometimes the smallest adaptations can make the biggest difference.

This episode is a practical and hopeful reminder that when we apply our OT lens creatively, assistive technology can enable participation, reduce cognitive fatigue, and support independence across school, work, and everyday life.

In this episode, we speak with Ciara Duffy, founder of Enable OT NI, about her journey from NHS neurorehabilitation toprivate practice. Ciara shares powerful insights into working with adults following stroke, brain injury, concussion, and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

We explore the real impact of occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation from fatigue management and return to work, to graded goal-setting and positive risk-taking. Ciara reflects on supporting a public figure with FND and how occupational therapy helped restore confidence, independence, and identity.

This episode highlights the depth of OT’s holistic approach asking not “What’s the matter?” but “What matters to you?”

https://enableotni.com/

Dr. Íde O’Shaughnessy shares her journey fromclinical practice to academia, specialising in older person rehabilitation and emergency department care. We discuss the development and evaluation of Frailty Intervention Teams, as well as the evidence supporting OT-led models in acutesettings.

Íde speaks passionately about challenging ageism in healthcare and reframing older adults as “the purpose, not the problem.” We explore hospital-associated deconditioning, positive risk-taking, and the unique value occupational therapists bring to preserving function andquality of life.

An episode that reinforces OT’s essential role in shaping evidence-based policy and compassionate care for older adults.

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Martina Tierney reflects on more than 40 yearsin occupational therapy and on her journey to founding Seating Matters. She shares the evolution from bespoke garage-built seating solutions to an internationally recognised specialist service.

This episode explores creativity in practice, the importance of listening to both clients and carers, and how innovationgrows from real clinical need. Martina also discusses her book The Power of OT, and her mission to inspire confidence and leadership within the profession.

A conversation about courage, entrepreneurship, and standing proudly as an occupational therapist.

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MartinaTierney Podcast

The Powerof OT

In this deeply moving conversation, Jack Kavanagh shares his journey following a life-changing spinal cord injury. From grief and identity loss to rediscovering adventure and independence, Jack reflects on resilience, creativity, and the power of trying again.

We explore assistive technology, adaptive innovation, and the importance of listening deeply to clients. Jack offers a compelling message for occupational therapists: move beyond prescriptive approaches and embrace curiosity, co-creation, and meaningful risk.

A powerful reminder that occupational therapy is about enabling possibility, not defining limitation.

Jack's Bio:

In 2012, Jack Kavanagh’s life changed forever when he sustained a spinal cord injury, leaving him with just15% muscle function. Rather than letting this define his limits, Jack has since redefined what’s possible, proving that resilience, ambition, and courage can push boundaries beyond expectation.

Jack has taken the stage at TEDx with his powerful talk, "Fearless Like a Child: Overcoming Adversity." His impact has been widely recognized, he was honored as oneof the Ten Outstanding Young People of the Year in 2019, has received multiple international awards for his documentary Breaking Boundaries, and was awarded as a selectnumber of Alumni Of The Year for Trinity College in 2023.

Jack is a force for change. He runs Move The Needle, a consultancy focused on high-impact projects. He alsoserves on the board of the National Disability Authority and leadership development organization Common Purpose Ireland. His expertise has led him to collaborate with the World Health Organization on digital and assistive technologies, and he is currently pioneering accessibility advancements in aviation through the AeroFix Project.

Yet, through it all, one thing has remained a constant, Jack’s passion for adventure. Whether hand-cycling, sailing, or mastering the art of sit-skiing, he refuses to let limitationsstand in his way. This September, he set himself a formidable challenge, cycling 380km along the Danube river to raise funds for Spinal Injuries Ireland. Completing this goal stands as one of his proudest personal achievements in recent years.

Contact: https://jack-kavanagh.com/

In this episode, Dr. Áine O Dea and Jen Trzeciak delve into the complexities of imposter syndrome, particularly within the context of occupational therapy. They explore how imposter syndrome manifests, its psychological underpinnings, and its impact on professionals despite evidence of success. The discussion highlights the importance of organisational support, cognitive reappraisal, and the role of coaching and supervision in managing these feelings. They also touch on the broader implications of imposter syndrome as a symptom of systemic issues like burnout and compassion fatigue.

If you are interested in finding out more about the upcoming 'How to set up in private practice' course, please follow this link: https://radianceconsultinghub.com/courses-events/