Get to know your NDIS dietitian, Rebecca Morrison
We’ve asked our bubbly, funny and energetic dietitian, Bec Morrison, a couple of questions so that you can get to know her!
Why did you become a dietitian?
I have always had an interest in healthcare, and sciences, so it was pretty natural for me to move into allied health. And for dietetics in particular, I’ve always loved cooking! In my culture our celebrations revolve around food, so I was always helping prepare something with my grandmother and mum, even from a young age!
What has led to your passion for disability?
I have quite a personal experience with disability as my younger sister has cerebral palsy, and we are quite close in age, so I was always tagging along to her appointments and fun events that she got to go to. A particularly fun one was when she represented NSW at the Youth Paralympics in Melbourne! There, I got to meet a lot of other young people with disability who were close to me in age, and find out about what supports were in place for them. Disability services was always an occupation that I wanted to explore, and after gaining my first degree, it was definitely somewhere I wanted to work.
Do you have a memorable experience of assisting a client to achieve their goals that you’d like to share?
I was able to quickly build rapport with a client who has Down Syndrome, an ID, and only uses non-verbal language. This client was not very motivated or enthusiastic about talking to a dietitian, nor making healthy changes to his diet. However, through our shared love of the game Pokémon, I was able to build a really good rapport with him, and find out some important information about his diet. He was able to start preparing his food safely, and continue to live independently, and I was able to enjoy talking with him about a childhood game again. The resource I created (which, of course, was covered in different Pokémon images) was proudly Blu-tacked to his wall at the end of the consultation and really helped to engage him.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I loooove to cook, and currently I’m trying my hand at some baking! I love trialing new recipes, and seeing how I can make healthy foods delicious!
Outside of the kitchen, I love watching sport. I read a lot of books, and definitely get invested in any sports, but I particularly love watching the netball, rugby union, and my particular favourite; ice hockey. Go Pens!
What is your favourite food?
This is like asking a parent to pick a favourite child! But for right now, a delicious vegetarian laksa, or pan-fried dumplings. Or for something sweet, some baked peaches or pears with ice cream or Greek yoghurt.
In another life, if you weren’t a dietitian, what do you think you’d be doing?
I think I’d be a firefighter. I was fortunate enough to be a volunteer firefighter in the NSW RFS, so I’ve definitely gotten a taste for it. But if I wasn’t a Dietitian, I think I’d definitely look into doing it professionally.
What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you? Do you have a hidden talent?
I think that I was a volunteer firefighter with the RFS for so many years (see image at end of article). It was an incredible experience where I met some of the most incredible people serving our community. If I hadn’t moved out of area, I would definitely still be involved!
No hidden talents unfortunately.
What is your favourite book?
Again, this is a hard one!
I’ve got two, one non-fiction and one fiction. My favourite non-fiction read is Becoming by Michelle Obama. It is a fantastic read about her life and the obstacles she had to overcome. My favourite fiction read (at the moment) is The Dry by Jane Harper. A really amazing read about a murder mystery in rural Victoria with a lot of plot twists that make it such a compelling read. I highly recommend!
Thanks so much to Bec 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 Bec or another of our therapists, please contact us today!
Rebecca Morrison provides Active Ability’s dietetic services in the South West of Sydney. Specifically, you would see Bec in Auburn, Bankstown, Revesby, Holsworthy, Glenfield,Ingleburn, Casula, Bonnyrigg, Canley Heights and Guildford.