Checking In with Josie Skelly
As Ontarians navigate the effects of COVID-19, it’s important for everyone to make an effort to keep in touch with friends and loved ones as best that they can. During the next few months, we’ll be reaching out to Oatley Vigmond’s lawyers, accident benefits specialists, and hard-working staff through a recurring “Checking In with _________” Q&A segment hosted here on the firm’s website.
Today’s check-in is with Oatley Vigmond Accident Benefits Specialist Josie Skelly. In February, Josie was recognized at the firm’s Annual Years of Service Staff Appreciation Dinner for an incredible 30 years spent dedicated to helping its clients. She is pictured above maintaining safe social distancing measures while recently celebrating her daughter’s birthday.
How her life has changed:
“In many ways, my life has changed for the good. I have no children living in my home so it is just my husband and me. We each have our respective space in the house and it has truly been wonderful spending more time together. Working from home without distractions has been very productive and enjoyable. With my husband not traveling during this pandemic, I have never seen so much of him; which is a good thing!”
What she misses the most in life:
“I really miss spending time face-to-face with family, friends and colleagues. I miss hugging my kids!”
What meeting with clients has been like during a pandemic:
“Meeting virtually has been a great tool and worked well, whether meeting with a new client or keeping connected with existing ones. While it certainly cannot replace face-to-face, I think we are all learning how wonderful this technology can be, in particular with clients who are ill or living in remote locations. I am very much looking forward to meeting with clients in-person again, though. There is nothing like the feeling you get when looking someone directly in the eye and telling them you will be there for them.
The best television show she’s been watching recently:
“Grace and Frankie. It’s a funny dramatic story of two families who are intertwined in the most unexpected ways. Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda star in the show and they can’t be more opposite in personalities and lifestyles, but learn that opposites attract. Lots of laughs, which we welcomed during all this uncertainty!”
What she has learned from the past few months:
“On the heavy side, I’ve learned that being isolated is also difficult and I cannot imagine what it is like for those who are suffering, unwell or hurting and cannot just pick life up again when this pandemic is over. On the light side, I’ve learned that I am a lover of routine. Never have I had such an expected routine each day. While I also love the unexpected, there is something calming and peaceful about implementing and following through each day with a routine. My favourite is that my husband and I go for walks most days at lunch time. This is something that I have tried to implement but never truly followed through. You know, the ‘bring your running shoes to the office so that they are in sight’ deal. That never worked for me. But now, I look forward to the clearing and calm feeling after getting some fresh air mid day. I think I’ll bring those running shoes back to the office and start a new routine when this is all over!”
The first place she will go when quarantine restrictions are lifted:
“I will visit each of my kids and give them a great big hug! After that, I’ll head to the gym. I’ve been doing zoom workouts each day which have been great during all of this, but I miss seeing everyone, it helps to “pump up the volume” of my workouts. The only problem, I’ll miss my MJ and Motown workout playlist. Not sure everyone else at the gym wants to jam with disco!”
About the Authors
Josie has been working in the legal industry since 1987. She joined Oatley Vigmond in 1995 as a senior law clerk, having developed expertise in demonstrative evidence applications, particularly in the areas of mediation and trial preparation. Her desire to provide hands-on support to clients and their families led her to become an accident benefits specialist. Now, she provides Oatley Vigmond clients with prompt and effective assistance to access the insurance benefits to which clients are entitled. She helps assemble a reliable community rehabilitation and long-term care team for our clients. She’s a licensed paralegal with the Law Society of Ontario, and holds a certificate in rehabilitation management from Seneca College.