From Dublin to Down Under: OT Education, Practice and Evolution , with lecturer Yvonne Pennisi

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. GoogleScholar Profile & articles