AQA is proud to announce that our Allied Health Team now includes Mark Hanson and Kim Trussler. Kim and Mark bring experience and skills which will build the capacity of Allied Health services at AQA. 

Mark, Community Engagement Coordinator

Mark Hanson was a Peer Mentor with AQA, before moving up to Queensland where he studied to become an Occupational Therapist (OT). “I was drawn to studying OT after my own experience with OT through the Royal Talbot. OTs showed me what was possible after my accident – I wanted to do that for other people,” says Mark. During his studies in Queensland, Mark stayed in touch with AQA. Now he has returned to Melbourne and has joined us as our Community Engagement Coordinator. “I was ready to come back to my community. The community is so tight-knit – I missed that so much. I just wanted to be amongst the support.”

What is Community Engagement?

Mark’s role as Community Engagement Coordinator involves responding to people who inquire about AQA services, and guiding them as they explore the many resources we offer. He might also direct someone to a suitable service elsewhere. “I love building rapport with people and this is an alternative way to use my OT skills. OT focuses on engaging people in things they want to do, so this role is a great fit for my scope of practice,” says Mark

Kim, Occupational Therapist

After realising how fit she’d need to be to become a police officer, Kim transferred to Occupational therapy, finishing the degree in 2016. Physical disability is where Kim’s main interest lies, which is what drew her to work at AQA. “My favourite area of OT is complex wheelchair scripting because I find modifying wheelchairs to suit an individual’s functional needs very fascinating. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ mentality. “I enjoy staying up-to-date with the latest technology and thinking of new and exciting ways to support people in achieving their goals. You’ll rarely find me without a measuring tape and a set of Allen Keys, ready for those wheelchair adjustments.”

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is an allied health profession that focuses on promoting health and wellbeing by enabling people to participate in their meaningful occupations. The term ‘occupations’ refers to everything we do in all our roles in life, as well as the things we do to be the person we want to be. This includes activities spanning showering and dressing; employment, education, volunteering and caring for people; being a part of a community group, engaging in a hobby, and being part of a friendship group. Depending on your needs and goals, an OT may offer help with skill development at home and in the community, assistive technology (i.e. wheelchair) prescription, home and environmental modifications, education and training, advocacy, task analysis and adaptations, and rehabilitation. If you think there’s anything our Allied Health team could help you with, please contact Mark on 03 7034 4394, or through a Service Enquiry on our website.