Natalie Hicks is a newly qualified occupational therapist in a non-traditional role. She works for Training 2000, part of the University of Central Lancashire, as course lead for Level 3 Community Health and Wellbeing Apprenticeship. Natalie is actively involved in the occupational therapy community, as she is a founding member of AbleOTUK, a network and advocacy group for occupational therapy staff and students with lived experiences of disabilities and or long-term health conditions. Natalie was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) just days before she was married, aged 24. She has several associated issues, including dysautonomia, migraines, fatigue, dislocations and prolapsed discs. Natalie was inspired to become an OT as a mature student, after meeting several inspiring OTs with her health condition. Natalie spends her spare time with her husband, three children and 2 cats crocheting, reading and surrounded by plants.