Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia O’Neill.
Hi Mia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my career as an occupational therapist in pediatrics, working with children and families in clinic and in their homes. After 2 years I transitioned to inpatient OT— first working in inpatient adult rehabilitation, and then the NICU, which is my current role. My passion has always been supporting infant development and women in the transition to motherhood. While working in the NICU and postpartum units, I’ve been able to lean into this passion. My instagram account is another passion project of mine that I’ve dedicated to these populations— women and infants— and I am proud of the supportive community we’ve built on it!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In my professional role, there is been an ever evolving need to advocate for occupational therapy for women who are in need of our services after difficult deliveries. Similarly, I am always advocating for our neonates in the NICU for developmental and feeding support. Both populations are vulnerable and need advocacy and support.
On social media, I have needed grit, resilience and determination to build the platform that I am so proud of. There is no shortage of misinformation, as well as trolls leaving hateful comments, out there. Connecting with individuals around the world, relating to my audience, and sharing reputable information, all the while learning from others, has helped to build the community into what is has become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my professional role, I work with both adults and infants—and my biggest passion lies with neonates in the NICU. On social media, I connect with women (and men!) all over the world with the common mentality of supporting each other and learning from one another.
But, the thing I am most proud of overall, is being a mother to my two beautiful children. My son is almost 5, and my daughter is 2.5, and they are the lights of my life. Over the last 5 years I have been transformed into a better version of myself for them, and I wouldn’t be here without the important women in my life who have loved and supported me along the way. Having this experience sets me aside in both the professional and social media aspects of my life to be able to make genuine, empathetic connections with other women. At the end of the day, it’s not about being a “perfect mom” as we all mess up and have flaws. It’s about doing our best, lifting each other up, and loving each others’ kids as our own.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I’m not sure if I necessarily see the shift coming, however there needs to be a transition in the way we view the care of women and infants. Accessible programs (for mental health, lactation, physical postpartum recovery) and appropriate, reputable resources for infant development exist, but need to increase. Women sacrifice so much to become mothers and deserve all the resources available to not only support themselves in likely the most vulnerable time of their life, but also their babies.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mammamia_ot
