Why did you want to be an osteopath?
I became an osteopath after breaking my neck in a skiing accident. I was fixed by medics in Vancouver but cured by an osteopath in London. I remembered being amazed that she could take away my pain with nothing more than her hands and knowledge. I was fed up with my job at the time. That accident, which could certainly have killed me, offered me a solution and a career change.
What do you enjoy about it?
I thrive on being helpful, it suits my personality. I enjoy the interaction of working ‘one on one’ and creating a space where patients can be heard, understood and helped. Most patients are in pain when they see me and I aim to make their experience as easy and relaxed as possible. Fixing them gives me enormous job satisfaction.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I sing with Wimbledon Choral Society. We perform with professional orchestras and soloists in all the major concert halls in London. It’s a choir with high standards; rehearsals are demanding but the rewards are great. Having had a long sabbatical from playing in orchestras I have returned. I played regularly before my osteopathy degree but the workload on the four-year course meant putting the cello to bed for a few years. Seventeen years later I’m back and playing with Kingston Philharmonia Orchestra and I’m very excited about that. I love music and performing; it’s thrilling, keeps me, ‘in tune’, and happy.
What do you enjoy about being part of the Maris team?
The Maris Practice is the best clinic I’ve ever worked in. From the moment I walked through the door I felt like I had come home. It’s a calm oasis where we clinicians are well supported to offer our patients the help and advice they need. Unlike many other practices we osteopaths meet regularly to present and discuss health related issues and complete our annual CPD (continued professional development). We have guest speakers come and teach us new ideas and techniques and we host well-being courses to help the wider community. The Maris Practice is patient-centric and future focussed. There are exciting plans afoot and I’m sure our patients will love what’s coming.
