Evolved Living Podcast - Overcoming Gender-Based Occupational Deprivation Through Fiber Arts, Community, and Creative Expression with Special Guest: Mx. Domestic!

Overcoming Gender-Based Occupational Deprivation Through Fiber Arts, Community, and Creative Expression with Special Guest: Mx. Domestic!

Explicit content warning

08/11/23 • 85 min

***Trigger Warning: Discussion of Suicidal Ideation, Gender-Based Violence and Harassment, and explicit language***
Continuing our exploration of the evolution of the Contemporary Arts and Crafts Movement we are joined today by Matthew Boudreaux the creator of Mx. Domestic where we explore navigating experiences of Gender-Based Occupational Deprivation and how creative expression and community building can be a way to engage in healing towards occupational wellbeing, participation, inclusion, empowerment, liberation, and ultimately systemic change.
Mx. Domestic is a multitalented non-binary, queer, and neurodivergent sewist who is a leader in increasing diversity in representation and inclusion of communities that tend to be underserved by the conventional crafting communities that tend to prioritize and center the needs and experiences of a narrow demographic of well resourced, heterosexual, cis-gendered, and often Christian white females. While Matthew wanted to learn how to sew from his Mother as a young child, this ambition was not supported because of Matthew's perceived gender identity and restrictive Western gender role expectations. Luckily Matthew did not let his mother's discouragement hold him back. Matthew credits crafting and fiber arts and his soul pull toward using fiber arts as a symbolic occupation to engage in honoring the development of his daughter. Matthew overcoming his own experience of occupational deprivation ultimately helped to build an inclusive community that has fundamentally changed the culture of how crafting is now being marketed nationally and he has partnered with others to create safe spaces for a wider diversity of communities to gain the healing benefits of crafting and creative expression. Please consider supporting Mx. Domestic's ongoing work and I hope you enjoy this meaty conversation!
https://mxdomestic.com/
What is Occupational Deprivation:
“A reduction in the amount and diversity of opportunities for occupational performance and occupational engagement for an extended period of time. It impacts negatively on health and well-being and may have serious consequences if prolonged. It is generally seen as caused by factors outside the control of the individual such as social structures or stigma, religious practices, political differences, poverty, or geography. There is debate as to whether factors such as illness and injury can cause occupational deprivation given that they are internal to the individual. Nonetheless, they are beyond the control of the individual and can have similar consequences, namely, reduced opportunities for diverse occupational performance and occupational engagement”
(Molineux, 2017)
Molineux, M. (2017). A dictionary of occupational science and occupational therapy (Oxford Quick Reference). OUP Oxford.
WOTA is currently giving away 7 free Epic online CEUs and 10 special offers from small OT businesses through August 31st! (Including my training on orientation to OS and the OTPF4) Annual Membership for Students is only $35!
Access Here: https://wota.org/virtual-summer-con-2023/?fbclid=IwAR24DNUeI

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Previous Episode

Trailblazing OTs: Neurodivergence, Mentorship, and Building Inclusive Communities Part Two of Discussion with Dr. Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L

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Trailblazing OTs: Neurodivergence, Mentorship, and Building Inclusive Communities

Description: In this thought-provoking and insightful podcast episode, Dr. Bill Wong, a trailblazing occupational therapist (OT), and the host Josie Jarvis engage in a candid conversation about the intersection of neurodivergence and OT. They dive into the importance of mentorship and the role it plays in supporting and empowering neurodivergent OTs and students. Dr. Wong shares his personal journey and experiences with Autism while engaged in OT leadership, shedding light on the need for representation and diverse perspectives within the OT field.

Key Points:

Neurodivergence and OT: Dr. Bill Wong discusses his experiences as an OT with Autism highlighting the importance of representation and diverse perspectives within the profession. Josie explores how these intersections connect with her experiences of neurodivergence with ADHD and NVLD as well.
The Power of Mentorship: Both guests emphasize the significance of seeking mentorship as a sign of strength rather than weakness. They explore how mentors can empower neurodivergent OTs and help them navigate challenges in their careers
Breaking Traditional Boundaries: The discussion explores the need for strategic disruption in the OT profession to foster growth and inclusivity. Both guests challenge the status quo and advocate for a more diverse and open-minded approach to OT practice and leadership.
Embracing Passion Projects: Dr. Wong shares his experience with organizing TEDx events and how passion projects can provide a creative outlet for OTs to explore and utilize their talents and skills beyond traditional practice.
Low-Cost Alternatives for Conferences: The conversation delves into the high costs of attending conferences and explores the potential for low-cost alternatives and inclusive approaches to knowledge sharing and professional development.
Building Inclusive Communities: Both guests stress the importance of building communities that welcome and support individuals from diverse backgrounds, including ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic status.
Amplifying Voices: The podcast advocates for partnering with other disability communities to amplify their voices and advocate for accessibility and inclusion in various spaces, including OT practice and academia.

Join this inspiring conversation as they challenge the norms, celebrate diversity, and encourage the next generation of OTs to embrace their unique strengths and talents. Whether you're an OT, a student, or simply interested in promoting inclusivity and mentorship in healthcare professions, this podcast episode is a must-listen!

Next Episode

Intersectional Accessibility: Navigating Imperfect Systems and Creatively Developing New Inclusive Ones Together Part 1

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Announcements
The first 3 modules of my Online Doctoral Capstone Course Foundations of Occupational Science is available now for free for a limited time: https://engage.evolvedlivingnetwork.com/
If you are in the Tacoma Area or are a fan of the Social Justice Sewing Academy and would like to be involved in supporting the adaptation of their workshops to focus on disability justice and to be accessible to people with disabilities in more heavily institutionalized spaces consider joining in our community event virtually or in person with AOTA President Alyson Stover on Monday, October 16 [6-8pm]

Get details on how to register here: https://www.facebook.com/events/706895548119940/?ref=newsfeed
In-person capacity: 60, Live virtual: 150, Recording: Unlimited
Episode Show Notes
This important conversation explores the complexity of making our work as health and human services providers accessible across various contexts including both collaborative clinical work and in academic scholarship. We also explore some of the complexities and nuances around accessing mental health providers and the costs of lack of mental health care literacy and systemic patterns of misdiagnosis and how that intersects with disability and structural sexism etc. Be sure to check out Part 2 as well!
Jennifer Pearlstein, PhD, is a post-doctoral fellow in rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington and completed her graduate work in clinical science at the University of California, Berkeley. Jen strives to improve the well-being of people with disabilities across her research, clinical work, and advocacy. She has received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Science Foundation (NSF), published work related to disability and mental health and training, and has gained specialized clinical training in evidence-based practices for diverse psychological presentations, including how to support populations experiencing illness or disability.

She also writes about her personal experiences navigating academia with a disability and strives to increase the representation, equity, and inclusion of people with disabilities in academia and in medicine.
Connect with UW's Behavioral Health ECHO Project: (How Josie met Jennifer without expense of a fancy conference)
https://bhinstitute.uw.edu/events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D163336444
Accessible Mental Health Support Resources:
https://openpathcollective.org/
As long as there is a financial need, our lifetime membership will allow you to see anyone in our network for the rates listed above. This is our guarantee. A lifetime membership to our nonprofit only costs $65.
Employee Assitance Programs:
https://www.insperity.com/blog/employee-assistance-programs/Holistic Wellness fo