Inspirational Occupational Therapist shares his story during Occupational Therapy Week

As part of Occupational Therapy Week (6 to 12 November), one of our staff explains how a life-changing collision inspired him to help others and become an occupational therapist (OT).

The awareness week is organised by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists to celebrate the life-changing power of occupational therapy.

OTs help people overcome challenges completing everyday tasks or activities - what we call ‘occupations’.

Jordan Cole was struck by a motorcycle while crossing a road in Harlow in December 2014. He suffered multiple broken bones and was in a coma at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for about nine days. He suffered a series of strokes while in hospital and doctors also discovered a hole in his heart, which had not previously been diagnosed.

Jordan joined EPUT in 2018 as an OT assistant, working with people being cared for in our mental health inpatient wards at the Derwent Centre in Harlow.

He is now an occupational therapy technical instructor at the centre, where he runs therapy intervention groups. This involves working with people to achieve their goals and supporting them to return home.

He also helps people regain confidence and supports those who have social anxiety by teaching them coping strategies and skills.

Watch his story on YouTube here: