Class of 1995
Bachelor in Health Science Honours Degree in Occupational Therapy
FORMER NAME:
Van Bostraeten
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?
Yes, somewhere else.
JOB:
Author
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
It was one of the photographs from my first professional photoshoot a few weeks ago, done in preparation for the launch of my book. The look on my face says a lot about how I look at life.
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY?
Living in York and studying there was special in itself for a young Belgian. I have fond memories of cosy parties, warm relationships with tutors, and the campus itself. The Christmas review in which I played Piglet in bright pink leggings is etched in my memory, as are the reactions to the chocolates I brought back from Belgium.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
The College of Ripon and York St. John was internationally renowned to offer the best training for Occupational Therapy! (and my then boyfriend had started that course a year before me, and I was jealous of his passion in learning and the way that was fostered.)
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
Whilst I was at college, ill health already plagued me. It took me a year longer to qualify, because of it. Even so, I was able to work as an Occupational Therapist within the NHS for 5 years before incapacity forced itself into my life. The postgraduate certificate I obtained at the University of Leeds (which incidentally had also awarded our OT degree) proved to be too much for my body to take. It served me well in the medical journey I was about to face, though.
I searched for other ways of creating an income. It has taken me up to now to find one. Aged 51 I started writing my memoir, chronicling my journey to happiness despite chronic illness and medical gaslighting. ‘Recognise ME’ is being published on the 15th of May 2024. I can now call myself an author, as well as a wife and mother of one teenage son.
A misdiagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in early adulthood, bought me a ticket to disregard and humiliation by the people paid to help me. Twenty years later the discovery of adrenal insufficiency, lupus and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome earned me better care and more respect. People in exactly the same professions were the ones to support me in turning my life around.
I am keen to use my improved levels of functioning to speak about the subject of medical gaslighting in the lives of patients with chronic, rare, barely functioning and/or fluctuating conditions. In doing so, I hope to raise awareness. I believe understanding can lead to improved communication. Prevention and a more effective therapeutic process from the start, is the aim.
I can be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. On my website www.flyingthroughthewoods.weebly.com I present a weekly blog.
After the loss of my OT-career, I returned to Belgium, where I met my husband. We now live in a beautiful rural area called the Flemish Ardennes. Whilst caring for my health and wellbeing, along with that of our son who shares my genes and diagnoses, remains intensive, I enjoy gentle walks, making cards, crochet and of course reading and writing.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
Trust and follow your inner compass.