A day in the life of Ruth

In this second edition of our “A day in the life” series we will be profiling Ruth Bennett to find out what makes her tick outside of the practice.

BACKGROUND

I was born and raised in Northwest Ireland but moved to England to attend Aston University. I graduated in 1996 and qualified as an Optometrist the following year. I then went on to Manchester University where I received my Master’s degree in Optometry. Since then I have worked in hospitals and community practices across the East Midlands and more recently I became the Deputy Lead Assessor for the College of Optometrists. I am happily married and have 3 school aged children.

INTERESTS

I am very much a foody and with that comes my love of cooking, particularly eating the food I cook.  Outside of that I love contemporary music as I play both the piano and harp. To keep fit, I like to run, admittedly very slowly, but I try to take part in the Nottingham half marathon when I can.

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS…

Quick??? I don’t do quick

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I’ve always dreamed of being able to fly so I’d love to be an Owl. Plus, Owl’s are perceived to be very wise, which I think describes me.

WHAT IS ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

I’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives.

IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Well apart from the Maldives, I’d happily go to Norway instead to go snow walking.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMME.

I have a real soft spot for Strictly Come Dancing

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND WHAT TWO THINGS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU?

The two things I’d want with me would be running water and a knife, preferably a sharp one.

IF YOU COULD ONLY PLAY/WATCH ONE SPORT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I think I’ll go with swimming.

WHAT IS THE ONE FOOD YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO GIVE UP?

Without question, it is cheese.

IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD BUY?

The thing is, I don’t play the lottery for two reasons. Firstly, I don’t like to lose my money, and as my Mum is a statistician, I am well aware that the odds are very much stacked against me.

Secondly, I think if I won a vast sum of money, it would dramatically change my life and overall I don’t think it would change life for the better. I am quite happy with my lot.

WHAT 3 CELEBRITIES WOULD YOU INVITE TO DINNER?

I’m interested in people and their stories, so to start I will go with Oprah Winfrey. Next I will choose Brene Brown. She has written about empathy, vulnerability and shame and I just find her extremely interesting.

Finally, I once met up with a friend of a friend called Alice, whilst I was a student, visiting Cardiff. Alice and I went around an exhibition about Annie Leibovitz (photographer) and Alice made the whole thing very interesting and dynamic. She has gone on to present BBC documentaries and it would be great to see her again.

Also, can I please have a pianist or jazz musician to play whilst we chat and eat?