NEWS
Talented occupational therapist runner wins top title in London Marathon
An occupational therapist runner won a World Championship title during last month ’ s London Marathon , which took place on 3 October .
World Champion Karl Welborn , a consultant occupational therapist from Bromsgrove , won the Abbott World Marathon Majors World Championships and placed seventh overall in the race .
Karl ran an impressive time of 2 hours 21 minutes and 36 seconds ; this places Karl third on the V40 marathon rankings , just one place behind Olympic Marathon runner Chris Thompson .
The champion , who runs through Bromsgrove regularly , crossed the line unaware of his achievement . He told OTnews : ‘ People were telling me : you do realise you ’ ve won the World Championship don ’ t you ? It was a profound sense of achievement , but my personal goal was actually to run faster and break the 2 hours 20 minutes barrier . To be ranked so highly , with such calibre of athletes , well that ’ s a bonus .’
Karl , who draws inspiration and strength from his single parent mother , his late uncle Dean , his family and the clients he treats in his practice at Well Way Rehab Solutions added : ’ We take a lot of things for granted in life , and when you work with people who have had significant life-altering injuries , and witness first-hand their sheer determination and fighting spirit , well it kind of rubs off on you .’
As an occupational therapist , Karl knows that his clients are on a different path , since their injuries come with many barriers . He says it is his job to help them break through these and get them to engage in meaningful activity once again .
Marathon runner Karl Welborn celebrates with his daughter , Kara-Rose Welborn
‘ Well Way Rehab Solutions works with some real-life superheroes ,’ he said . ‘ I am always amazed at how hard they are willing to work , and how much fortitude and resiliency they show .’ Of his running he said : ‘ I draw on many mantras during the last 10 kilometres of a marathon – this is where it hurts , where the pain washes your body – but I will often think of the clients I get the fortune to treat , and how they must feel at times .
‘ It is only then I realise that all this pain and anguish I am feeling is temporary and it is going to go away ; it ’ s not forever . I get strength from my client ’ s attitudes . During the race I heard my daughter cheer me on while I was approaching the final mile , and that really helped me push my body a little more to the finish line .’
His next run will be in memory of Ann Mansell , who recently passed away . ‘ Ann was a legendary occupational therapy assistant and a real champion who helped to shape and change so may people ’ s lives for the better .’
To find out more about Karl and his work please visit www . wellwayrehabsolutions . com .
Winchester University launches flexible MSc programme
Winchester University has launched a unique and flexible MSc in feedback from students on clinical placements expressing the Occupational Therapy . The structure of the programme combines difficulty of applying what they learned in college into a practical virtual and on campus learning , providing a fast-track entry route situation , she said : ‘ That made me think about the way we run our through to employment , studying through a full-time or flexible parttime option suited to learners with other commitments .
She added : ‘ Most of the programmes run across the UK tend to
occupational therapy programmes .’
The curriculum is designed with the remote learner in mind be traditional . Bearing that in mind , we designed the combination and follows a blended model using a pillar framework within the of online workbooks and students coming into campus for a twoprogramme . These are based on behaviours , knowledge and skills , week practical session .’ occupational therapy specific skills , occupational therapy values , She also says that the design of the placements offers full research , problem solving and decision-making . flexibility over the whole week , meaning that students can come
Caroline Grant , RCOT pre-registration education officer , told into university for a couple of days a week , but then go to their OTnews : ‘ The Winchester programme was very innovative when it placement for the rest of the week . was proposed two years ago , but due to COVID things have moved ‘ Since September , the programme has proved to be popular on considerably and many programmes are now following more of a and students are telling me they love the flexibility of it and they can hybrid teaching model . structure the learning around their lives ,’ Lesley says . ‘ The practice
‘ This unique programme has been designed specifically with the educators also benefit too as they can be working part time , so both remote learner in mind and the practical element of the programme parties are at an advantage .’ is in sections called “ boot camp ”, where the learners will have to go The university plans to evaluate the programme at the end of on campus to carry out practical skills and team-based activities .’ the first year , following the success and outcome of this model ,
Lesley Collier , programme lead from Winchester University , is and future plans could include looking to integrate other healthcare optimistic about the success of this new programme . After receiving professionals into the programme .
12 OTnews November 2021