Laura’sOccupational

IdentityLaura Weir

Occupational ScienceComponent 1

Part 2

Motorbike RidingFrom a young age I have enjoyed and participated in the occupation of motorbike riding. To me motor biking provides relaxation, is a way to blow of steam, it is a way to challenge myself and it provides enjoyment. It is very important to me as it is an occupation that has strong family connections. My strong involvement in the sport comes from my dad who has done well in the sport and holds New Zealand records in flat track speedway. Dad started the Dansey's pass trail ride as a fund raiser for my primary school , where our whole family got fully involved. This is now the biggest single day trail ride event in the southern hemisphere. My siblings and I have grown up being taught by Dad the many different skills needed to participate in this sport, Dads Love and passion for motorbike riding has definitely been passed down through the family and hopefully passed down through generations to come. It is part of my Occupational identity as it is a main occupation of mine.

FarmingFarming Is part of my occupational Identity as I have grown up working and living on a farm, it is where my family and I have a strong Occupational connection as my family has a long history in farming. Our home farm in Duntroon is where I go back to during my holidays and weekends and help out. Farming for me mainly involves caring for my pets, cattle work, fencing, tractor work, general maintenance, and calving. Farming has influenced my huge love for animals and also my hopes for the future as an OT, with the possible idea of tying my love for both the farming culture, and animals into my OT career. It will always be a huge part of my life and has shaped who I am as a country girl at heart. I love the farm life and will hopefully be forever surrounded by it.

Rugby Rugby at the moment is a past, present and hopefully future occupation. The love of not only watching rugby- which brings back many memories of getting up at 2.00 o'clock in the morning with Dad to watch the All blacks games, but also playing for a variety of different teams socially and competitively including Waitaki Girls high school XV, south Canterbury and North Otago teams in touch and tackle rugby. This has meant that rugby is a central part of who I am as an Occupational being. The positions I am most familiar with are half back and wing. Studying has meant I have not been able to pursue this sport as much as I would have liked, and I have definitely found that only being able to watch the game gives me a Sense of loss. This loss gives Me a large drive to get back into the game. It provides me huge Occupational satisfaction. Throughthe hard work put into my rugby, my occupational identity through it has become greater. I definitely define Rugby as a hugepart of my Occupational Identity.

Family/ FriendsMy role as a family member and friend are very important to me, I maintain these relationships by doing activities with my family and friends, keeping in contact with them and helping them when they are in need. These relationships provide me with a sense of belonging andMeaning in my life. They are entwined as I feel they are both verysimilar relationshipsI hold.I love being aroundpeople, So wouldfeel very lost without these relationship's.

StudentBeing a student is a large part of my occupational identity at the moment, I have been a student for most of my life from Duntroon Primary School to Waitaki Girls High School. Currently being a student at Otago Polytechnic, my role involves study, placements, attending class and also socialising with my peers. Being an Occupational Therapy student at Otago polytechnic is not only teaching me to be an Occupational Therapist, but is teaching me many life skills along the way, through the different challenges I face and experiences I undergo. It is helping to shape my future and present identity.

Snow Sports (Boarding & Skiing)

Snow Sports including snow boarding and skiing is an occupation that I have been involved In since I was a child. It is a family occupation andis something I really enjoy and look forward to every winter. I started off skiing at the age of4 but as I got older started to look for something more challenging, so changed to snow boarding at the age of16. The main ski fields I have andstill do carry outthis occupation out at are Cadrona and Coronet peek. I find it a Calming occupation, which also never fails to provide me with a new challenge.

Christian FaithPart of my Occupational identity is being a Christian. This involves many occupations, for example going to church, bible study, work as a youth leader, camps and festivals such as parachute music festival. This faith shapes many morals and beliefs I hold and a huge part of it includes many close friends and family.

NetballNetball is a past, present and hopefully future occupation I participate in. It influenced my love for sport from a young age I started playing at the age of 5, it has taught me how important team work, perseverance and healthy competition is to me. The positions I mainly play are centre, wing defence and wing attack which have been my most preferred and suited positions from a young age. I have strong memories from tournaments, netball competitions and interschool's. Through being a captain, coach and team member I have learnt many leadership and team work skills which I believe are some of the most important life skills needed to be successful. The adrenaline and satisfaction from a game of netball is huge and influences me to continue this sport. Netball is part of my identity.

CampingGrowing up in a family who loves the out doors, I have grown up camping at Glendu Bay and presently at the Waitaki Valley lakes during many holidays, this has allowed me to participate and grow in my love of many things intertwined with camping such as water sports, including water skiing, wake Boarding, biscuiting, Knee-boarding and Barefooting. These Water sports have been drummed into me from a young age as my Dad is a very keen bare foot water skier. Other occupations involved with camping include tramping, boating, fishing and the general camping experience. I still go Camping every Summer holidays andIntend to do it in the Future. It is important to my occupational identity as without it I would not have the opportunity to develop these many new skills.

Working with PeopleI Have worked with a variety of different people including elderly,as a career and activities facilitator in arest home over my holidays, as a support worker for youth in south Dunedin, as a Nanny for young children and also as a volunteer At children's Programmes duringthe school holidays. These roles have shaped me and Influenced me to study a future career in working closelywith people. By doing this I am provided with occupational satisfaction. I have a love For working and helpingpeople and class It as a huge part of my occupational identity.