19 December 2024

If you're one of our occupational therapy clients, you might have met Ying Gu! She is one of our fantastic occupational therapists, who is now part of our Disability team, after joining us three years ago as part of our Aged Care team.

What does your role involve?

I recently joined the DS OT team from CHSP team and am still on a steep learning curve. In my current role, I work with participants under NDIS funding, assisting them in selecting appropriate assistive technology and coordinating home modification projects through their funding. Additionally, we conduct specialised assessments, including functional capacity assessments and seating assessments, to support their individual needs.

What do you like most about your role and working at Indigo?

What I love most about my role and working at Indigo is the opportunity to connect with participants of different ages and backgrounds and to learn about their unique lives. It allows me to access new perspectives and explore different aspects of the world through their experiences.

Indigo has been incredible in supporting me, including helping with team transitions and providing opportunities to relevant trainings. My team is also wonderful, and I’ve learned so much from working alongside them.

Tell us about the most interesting project you have worked on during your career.

One of the most interesting projects I worked on was attending the Perth Disability Connection Expo earlier this year. It was amazing to see such a large community event that brought together adults, families, children, carers, and guardians, with entertainment and a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy.

We brought along a range of assistive technologies for participants to try out, and many mentioned they weren’t aware of some of those solutions or hadn’t considered how they could benefit them.

The expo also gave us a valuable opportunity to connect directly with participants and their families. It allowed us to better understand their questions, such as what they find most confusing about funding and what they look for when choosing a service provider. 

Describe a memorable moment arising from your role.

One of the most memorable moments in my role was recommending a shower chair for an elderly lady who initially didn’t believe she needed it. She was quite hesitant at first but eventually agreed to give it a try. A few days later, she called me and said it was the best thing she’d ever received. She even joked that she now felt like she was “showering like a queen.”

I love this moment as it reminds me how even small recommendations can have a big impact on someone's life. It’s a reminder of how fortunate I am to work with individuals via listening to their stories, understanding their needs, and being part of their journey.

Of the four Indigo values (integrity, passion, creativity, together), which one do you express the most strongly during your workday, and why?

It’d be together. As an Occupational Therapist, I work with clients from diverse backgrounds, and it is important to recognize that while we are all different, we are equal. Building partnerships is at the heart of my role. Listening to their life stories, understanding their perspectives and values, and connecting with them allows me to step into their shoes and truly consider their needs. This helps me make thoughtful recommendations and provide support that is meaningful and tailored to their unique situations.