OTs help celebrate NHS at the Olympics opening ceremony
During Friday's stunning London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, which celebrated the best of British, there was a section dedicated to the National Health Service.
For this part of the Danny Boyle directed opening ceremony, those taking part were all NHS staff, and a number of the 800 involved were occupational therapists.
From left to right are: Hilary Neal (East London NHS Foundation Trust), Katie Lee (Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust) and Samantha Purser (Croydon Stroke Rehab Team - Croydon Health Services NHS Trust).
They applied last autumn after seeing that the organisers were looking for NHS staff specifically for a segment of the ceremony celebrating the NHS. Following an audition in November, they found out at the start of this year that they had been successful.
Following that, they have been rehearsing up to three times weekly since mid-April at venues in East London, with the whole process proving to be quite a large time commitment coupled with the demands of work and families.
But it was all worthwhile, acording to Sam Purser who said of the experience "Despite the time commitment, it was worth every minute. I'm still pinching myself as I can't quite believe I was there and part of it. I feel immensely proud to be British and to fly the flag for the NHS."
If you're a member and were involved in the opening ceremony, or in any other part of the Olympics, let us know for OTnews.
From back left are: Sara Hennessy (East London NHS Foundation Trust), Katie Williams (East London), Alex Bultitude (East London), Aoife Sweeney (East London), Beverly Johnson (North Middlesex University Trust), Lanier Pole (East London), Joanne Kinsey (East London), Katja Chessie (North Middlesex)
