Infuse Issue 7 March 2019 | Page 19

What parts of Holly's now-famous message
resonate most with you?
I share Holly’s views about prioritising things
that really matter. Those moments of clarity have
come thick and fast working with people that are
navigating a life-changing event or diagnosis.
Little things like connecting with loved ones,
spending time outside, and patting pets, shape and
make a life.
Why do you love being a dietitian?
‘If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in
your life’ holds true for me. Working as a dietitian
combines three things I enjoy: connecting with
people, sharing my passion for food, and helping
others heal from injury/illness.
Your dedication to patient quality of life is
inspiring. For those with spinal injuries, how
does food and nutrition impact health, comfort
and happiness?
Food and nutrition choices remain accessible
when so many other things have been taken away
after a spinal cord injury (SCI). It doesn’t matter
what a person’s swallow is like, or what their hands
and legs can do, there’s always an opportunity to
involve a patient in their nutrition care.
For people who are tube fed, this might mean
allowing them to choose how and when they want
to receive enteral nutrition. For those that can eat,
I’ve run to the local cafe for lattes and raided the
hospital kitchen for Weetbix and milk (yes, that was
a request) to provide favourite foods! Little food-
related acts of kindness mean the world to people
and provide meaningful physical benefits as well.
Carpe Diem Award -
in memory of
Holly Butcher
DC’s Carpe Diem Award
is given out annually, in
honour of Holly Butcher,
to a dietitian who best
exemplifies these traits:
- Demonstrates compassion
and kindness in his or her work.
- Helps others to improve lives.
- Displays a positive attitude in
his or her everyday work, and
inspires others to do the same.
- Focuses on meaningful
experiences and relationships
to bring about meaningful
change.
- Goes above and beyond the
general call of duty to improve
the general well-being of
patients.
How has receiving this award impacted you and
your work?
It’s been a great motivator to continue on this path
and keep up the little acts of kindness that can
bring so much joy to patients. I’m excited to keep
chipping away at my PhD research.
© Dietitian Connection
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Infuse | March 2019