This year’s Conference was officially opened with inspirational presentations by motivational speaker Paul McGee and renowned Professor Winnie Dunn at the ICC, Birmingham today (19 June).
During her opening speech, Cynthia Murphy, chair of the Older People Specialist Section, encouraged delegates to ‘Feel the vibe. Everyone will be fired up and inspired’.
The atmosphere was excitable and the conference is off to a great start.
Inspirational speaker and author of SUMO (Shut Up, Move on), Paul McGee, made a fun introduction and facilitated an ice-breaker where delegates spoke kind words to each other in Norwegian. His powerful key message was that the occupational therapy profession is MAD (Making a Difference). He also highlighted to ‘never underestimate the value of eyeballs’ and encouraged face-to-face interaction across the profession.
Distinguished Dr Winnie Dunn, University of Texas, presented an insightful presentation about the prevalence of sensory processing and patterns in the general population.
‘We should not medicalise difference, we should celebrate quirkiness. If you want to be interesting then you show me your quirky’, said Dr Dunn.
In her presentation, Dr Dunn reinforced the message that sensory processing is about everyone and not just people with sensory characteristics.
‘Every one of us has sensory processing patterns and they manifest in everything we do. These patterns should be embraced and understood’, she added.
In her round-up, Dr Dunn posed the following questions:
- What’s GREAT about everyone’s sensory patterns?
- How do your patterns show up in YOUR life?
- How do sensory patterns make you who YOU are?
Delegates had an opportunity to later pose their questions, comments and observations at the Conversation with…Session. This session followed on from the opening plenary with some delegates seeking advice and clarification while others shared their experiences with Dr Dunn which stimulated passionate discussions of occupational therapy terminology and innovations.
During the opening plenary, one delegate tweeted: ‘Sensory processing is not about disability, it is about being human. Always such a privilege to hear Winnie Dunn speak.’
Another delegate highlighted: ‘Winnie Dunn reminding us that ‘normal’ is complex’.
The opening plenary was an uplifting and positive start to the Conference and has undoubtedly set a passionate and exciting tone for this two-day event.