Get to know your NDIS dietitian, Kaisha Parsons
We’ve asked our lovely dietitian, Kaisha Parsons, a couple of questions so that you can get to know her!
Why did you become a dietitian?
I went straight to university after finishing high school to study my Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. At first, I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do with my career, however I always knew I wanted to work in health to help people become the best version of themselves. However, I knew I couldn’t be a nurse due to my dislike of blood and needles, and I also didn’t want to be a physical therapist, so that’s what led me to Dietetics – helping people become healthy through one of my favourite things – food!
What has led to your passion for disability?
I believe disability is such an interesting area of work. It can be so rewarding, both personally and for career progression. As I have a strong passion for helping others improve their health and wellbeing, clients of the NDIS have goals that tie in so well with this, so if I am able to help them achieve their goals, even with making relatively small changes, it makes me feel fulfilled. Also, it makes my work as a Dietitian even more meaningful, and being able to provide care to such a wide variety of people with differing disabilities, makes my job both interesting and challenging in the best way possible.
Do you have a memorable experience of assisting a client to achieve their goals that you’d like to share?
A lot of my memorable clients were the first ones I was able to provide dietetic intervention for whilst on my clinical placements before graduating University because of how impactful this was to me knowing how much I would love being a dietitian. This mainly focused on increasing their oral intake and nutrition during both acute and chronic illnesses or post-surgery.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to keep active, be it walking my dog, going to the gym or playing sport like oztag. I also love travelling and seeing new places, so will often go camping with my partner or family, or simply just catching up with friends.
What is your favourite food?
I think it would have to be a tie between Fruit and Chocolate! I have always loved any type of fruit and don’t think I could go a day without having any.
In another life, if you weren’t a dietitian, what do you think you’d be doing?
I would probably be a vet nurse or something to do with helping animals. I have always loved animals but I think I would struggle facing the sadness that this job involves! (i.e., when pets get sick or need to be put down).
What is one thing that people would be suprised to learn about you? Do you have a hidden talent?
That I can water ski quite well! I grew up going to a caravan park on the Shoalhaven River every weekend skiing with family and friends.
Favourite movie, book and holiday?
Movie: The Parent Trap
Book: Heartstrong – Ellidy Pullin
Holiday: I love any coastal holiday destination – anywhere sunny with nice beaches. Some of my favourites are Coolangatta QLD, Bali, Amalfi Coast, Greece and Fiji.
Thanks so much to Kaisha for sharing more about herself and her reason for working in disability with our community!! We hope that you’ve enjoyed getting to know her! If you’d like to arrange services with Kaisha or another of our therapists, please contact us today!
Kaisha Parsons provides Active Ability’s dietetic services in Wollongong in the Illawarra region of NSW. Specifically, you would see Kaisha in Austinmeer, Bulli, Corrimal, Fairy Meadow, Wollongong, Mount Kembla, Port Kembla, Dapto, Albion Park, Shellharbour, Jamberoo and Kiama.