A COVENTRY Children’s physiotherapist has shared her story in the hope of inspiring more people to follow her lead and return to the practice.
Born with bilateral talipes, also known as club foot, Rachel O’Sullivan had surgery at five years old.
The positive experience with the physiotherapy team during recovery inspired her to pursue a career in physiotherapy.
Rachel said: ” I always knew that I wanted to work with people and help people, so due to my own experiences I went into children’s physiotherapy.
“After my operation, the physiotherapy helped me to walk in a more normal pattern and regain movement around my ankles.
“I work holistically and my own experiences have given me more empathy as I can understand what the children and families are experiencing.
“It is great to be able to give something back to a service that helped me.”
Rachel completed her physiotherapy degree from Coventry University and is now an Advanced Practitioner Children’s Physiotherapist.
She completed Coventry University’s online Allied Health Professionals Return to Practise course and re-registered with the Health and Care Professional Council.
Rachel added: “”Anyone who has worked for the NHS knows its value and my message to anyone thinking of returning to practice is just do it.
“I was apprehensive to start with because of the idea of academic work but there is nothing to be worried about.
“The staff are so supportive, and I’d recommend it to anybody.”
