Emma, like Claire Forster (see previous article), is undoubtedly reducing our volunteers’ average age considerably – good on you for joining our Wheelchair Team! She immigrated from the US of A (New Jersey) and holds a Permanent Resident visa, intending to apply for full Australian citizenship. By profession, she is a qualified Occupational Therapist. Along with her highly qualified and experienced therapists, she is working full time for NHPA (National Health Professionals Alliance), which, according to their website, is “a group of collaborative professionals aiming to provide holistic care to our patients”.
So, what motivates a young woman to come and help us make wheelchairs? “I’m an artist” she replied, “I like to work with my hands to create something new from something old, and I love giving back to the community and contributing in a way that makes the world more accessible to others.” Well… that’s different! Inspiration? Is there a sculpture in it for the ‘Bleach’ festival? Indeed, art is what she does in her remaining spare time: she paints pictures. Monet is one of her guiding styles (see picture of one of her works). What else? “I hike” (Australian term: Bushwalking), I surf, and I listen to music, such as Fleetwood Mac or classical piano. In the not too distant future, Emma will finalise the establishment of a therapeutic group ‘The Worth Collective’. Watch out for the website – it is close to going live.
