Marie-Claude Chapman laughs as she recalls her past. Now she
is a Speech Pathologist with her very own
clinic in Beecroft, Sydney. She appreciates the independence
she has from being her own boss.
Marie-Claude works with adults who have voice disorders and
those whose communication has been affected by stroke, brain
injury or from neurological disorders such as dysphasia.
She also treats those who have dysphagia
(difficulty swallowing), which is a complication often arising
in people experiencing neurological trauma or degeneration.
Determined, Marie-Claude gains great satisfaction when she
solves a particularly difficult communication or swallowing
problem. “I love the many challenges I often encounter in
my work –it’s what drives me the most and why I love my job!”
As a Medical/Health Professional, Marie-Claude not only applies
science knowledge in her work but also utilises important
investigative skills. “To solve a communication or
swallowing problem I have to understand it as best I can.
For instance, I need to consider my Client’s medical history
and their social background as well as whatever medical situation
is impacting on them. Understanding a person as a whole helps
me to help them more effectively.” She also agrees that her
job involves creative thinking.
But Marie-Claude did not simply ‘party’ her way into her profession…
getting to where she is now was hard work. Sick of working
as a secretary for many years, she decided to undertake tertiary
studies to become a Speech Pathologist. She studied in Melbourne
at Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences for the first three
years of her course and then completed her final year at LaTrobe
University. “I enjoyed Science at Uni. My course was difficult
and my colleagues were very bright and competitive… Since
I was older when I began my course, I was more mature and
more motivated because I was interested in what I was studying”
LINKS:
Speech Pathology Australia-the National Body for the Speech Pathology Profession.
A number of fact sheets on the profession and on communication
disabilities.
Job Guide -Government Career Website. A description
of the Speech Pathology Profession including personal requirements,
education & training required as well as employment opportunities.
Job Outlook–Government Career Website. Information on the Speech
Pathology Profession including job prospects, weekly earnings,
type of work ect. Also,
information on personal skills, abilities and tasks involved
ect.
