Sonia qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1993 and she is registered with CORU the regulators for healthcare professionals in Ireland (OT021708) and I am a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. I am a member of the AOTI Neurology special interest group and a representative on the Irish heart foundation council on stroke. I am a member of Case management UK and the British association of Brain injury Case Managers.

Since graduating I have worked primarily in neurological rehabilitation working with people that have acquired brain injuries and their families. I like to keep abreast of what the latest therapies and technologies are available and am both an eksobionics and a Bioness certified therapist.

I have lived experience managing my own daughter’s neurological condition since her age of 4 which makes me acutely aware of the challenges for the person and the whole family, the detrimental effect of growth on musculoskeletal structures and the significant equipment and therapeutic needs. I have a special interest in seating and protection of body shape. I have presented nationally on neuromuscular scoliosis.

I have been working as an expert witness since 2011 and prepare court compliant reports to support the courts in personal injury cases. The majority of these cases have involved clients with Cerebral Palsy, brain injury and Spinal cord injury.

In more recent years I have been asked by the ward of courts to provide reports on the suitability of houses/house plans for clients that have received compensation but remain a ward of court. This has evolved into working with architects and solicitors and families and the person with the injury to ensure that accommodation needs are being met. My work on the decongregation of clients with moderate to severe Intellectual disabilities from congregated residential care to more community-based homes considering the impact of environment on behaviour and sensory regulation has been invaluable as well as designing my own daughter’s apartment.

I am a manual handling instructor and a healthcare tutor which is a great help when working with carers and ensuring best safe care is being provided for all concerned. I have also been an off-road assessor with the IWA assessing fitness to drive.

I have been working as a case manager for two years and am excited about further developing my role as a case manager along with AICMS and utilising the strength and expertise that comes from being part of such a dynamic, caring group of people.

I am committed to making life easier for the person with the disability and their families and carers and maximising rehabilitation potential and opportunities to have a good quality of life unique to every person.

If you are considering taking on a case manager and think that maybe I would be a good match for you I am happy to have an informal chat anytime and in the meantime I wish you all the best.