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National Disability Award interview with Dr Janet
Guide Dogs Queensland would like to take the time to acknowledge and congratulate Clinical Psychologist and Client Service Manager, Dr Sau Kuan (Janet) Cheong on her finalist position in the category of Allied Health Professionals Award Individual/Team for the National Disability Awards 2024.
Dr Janet says, “No one chooses to have a health condition or a disability, but it is a part of their life”. With an exceptional outlook on life, Dr Janet’s work has touched countless lives, helping Clients navigate the challenges of their diagnoses with compassion, understanding, and practical solutions.
Starting as a Clinical Psychologist Registrar with Guide Dogs Queensland seven and a half years ago, Dr Janet is now the Client Service Manager with a team of incredible professionals who transform the lives of individuals with low vision and blindness. “Each day, our work produces meaningful results for Clients, no matter where they are located in Queensland”, Dr Janet explains. At Guide Dogs Queensland, the Vision Services team is given extensive training about the impact vision conditions can have on Clients. Dr Janet combines the team’s knowledge, professional skills and the individuals needs to create positive change and offer a future filled with possibilities after a diagnosis to Clients.
An individual’s mindset plays an important role in their everyday living. There are various techniques and strategies for supporting an individual’s mental health, but no single approach or method can address every need for every individual. This is why Dr Janet’s approach to meeting and working with a new and ongoing Client is to listen, tailor strategies and foster an environment of empowerment and hope which has been shown to have had a profound impact on both the Clients and their families.
Dr Janet remains grounded and focused on her work, regardless of awards or recognition, however being nominated as a finalist for this award, it highlights the powerful role that Allied Health professionals play in the lives of people with low vision and blindness. Her unwavering commitment to helping her Clients achieve their fullest potential aligns perfectly with Guide Dogs Queensland’s core values of independence, inclusion, and participation. This nomination not only honours Dr Janet but also celebrates the exceptional work of the entire team, whose collective efforts make a lasting difference in the lives of those they serve across Queensland.
