Sonya Bates
BHSc(OT), NZAOTR, MNZAOT
Sonya Bates graduated from the Auckland Institute of Technology in 1997 with a Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy.
After graduating she initially worked in Wanganui, for Pathways trust, a trust set up to aid the transition of those from long stay psychiatric hospitals to life in the community.
In 1999 she left NZ to go traveling and gain life experience. She was mainly based in the UK for the next 8 years, excepting a period in 2001 when she returned to NZ and filled a short term contract at Good Health Wanganui covering the medical, surgical, and orthopaedic wards.
Sonya has worked in a vast number of settings, treating multiple conditions including orthopaedics, burns, and severe head injury. As a result she has specialised skills in home assessments and housing adaptations, splinting, scar management, and seating.
Sonya returned to Taranaki in December 2007 with her husband after being enticed home by its beautiful mountain, beaches, and down to earth lifestyle.