While I was shadowing a physical therapist over the summer, I helped with hippotherapy, horseback riding as a means of therapeutic treatment, and met a young girl with Rett syndrome named McKenna. She can’t speak, walk, use her hands, or understand much, but she has the best smile and laugh that I have ever heard. As I helped McKenna ride her horse, Dixie, every week, I began to see her balance and coordination improve. While at her first few sessions her parents had to carry her over to the horse, by the end of the fourth week she would run over the best she could while holding her mom’s hand. My experience made me realize how much a little help can make a huge difference in a child’s life, not limited to physical changes, but emotional as well. …show more content…
To be able help these children, I need to understand how their bodies work and move. The classes that I would take as a Movement Science major would help me learn the mechanics behind the movements I am noticing. My love of biology, psychology, and human anatomy classes makes me even more confident that I will love the coursework. After visiting the Kinesiology department and speaking with a few professors, I realized that I would be able to work with many people who share this interest and have the opportunity to conduct research in the field. For example, the research conducted by Dr. Dale Ulrich in the Center on Physical Activity and Health in Pediatric Disabilities is right up my alley, as I am familiar with children who have Down syndrome or Autism and would love to help enhance their
Participating in sports has led me to the career of physical therapy. I have been an athlete all of my life. I have played every sport from tackle football to softball and every sport the community of Sitka offered. Being involved in several sports at one time helped me realize how easy it is to get injured and how crucial it is to have a physician that is supportive and understands an athletes injuries. By going to McKendree University I will be able to become a physical therapist and help injured athletes recover.
Growing up, everyone dreamed of what they wanted to become when they got older. As kids people dreamed of becoming astronauts, princesses, or fictional characters. And as people get older, they have an idea of what they want to do for the rest of their lives such as become doctors, lawyers or police officers. Although there are many careers to choose from, but what is most important is picking a career one will be passionate about. One career option out there is physical therapy.
I am embarking on a life-changing journey, and I cannot be more excited. I chose this career path to better myself in so many ways with the expectation of being challenged daily to be the best therapist I can be. And, I vow to give my all to my patients and coworkers. My primary drive to become a Physical Therapist Assistant was to provide for my young children.
1. This observation was between the Physical Therapist (PT), Katie a 15-month-old girl, and her mother. Katie does not have a specific diagnosis but she has significant motor delays for her age. According to the PT and Katie’s mother she has just started walking by holding on to things. This observation took place in the gym, the benches were set up like a bridge and toys were put on top for her to play with. The PT sat behind Katie on one side of the bridge and Katie’s mom on the other side. Katie pulled herself up to reach the toys. The PT would move toys along the bridge to motivate her to move sideways. During this time the PT and Katie’s mother were taking about the progress she has made since she first started. Katie’s mother stated that at home Katie will stand by herself for a few seconds but then realizes it and she falls down. Katie’s mom also stated that she believed Katie does not have the confidence in herself to stand and walk on her own. The mother also reported that she always encourages her to stand and walk when they are at home. The rest of the session consisted of Katie practicing walking side-to-side and transitioning from the floor up to the bridge.
“Your optimism is killing me,” a patient replied after my attempt to encourage her to try to stand up, so she could attend a physical therapy session. Though I took her comment with a grain of salt, it was the cornerstone for the reputation I would build during my career as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Most clinicians shy away from challenging personalities; not me, I strive to be different. It’s been three years since that patient discharged home against medical advice. which ignited fuel to the fire of continuing to pursue my undergraduate degree.
After hearing what David had to say, it opened my eyes to the life of not only a Physical Therapist, but also a business owner. The amount of information I was given about the career appealed to me greatly but the thought and pressure of becoming a business owner frightened me. After talking to David I realized that I do have the passion to succeed in this field, but in order to grow and become a successful Physical Therapist I will need to be willing to spend all my time and effort into building my reputation. There will be sacrifices that I have to take in order to follow this career; I will have to spend my days and nights thinking of ways to better my service to my patients; I have to be willing to start with nothing and build my way up
Sports have always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember but medical treatment has as well. Throughout my life, I have encountered extraordinary people who I know realize would act as gardeners nurturing my plants, my interests. Since middle school, I faced numerous injuries ranging from groin pulls to tendonitis to lower back pains. These abundant and varying injuries lead me to seek medical attention and subsequently, I spent a lot of time with physical therapists and athletic trainers which is where my interest was planted. Junior year of high school, my sprouting interest was further watered by Ms. Kazimer, the honors anatomy teacher.
I define myself as a person who helps others no matter what, I have an unbelievable passion for helping others because of the morals my father has taught me. My close relationship with my father has developed greatly since he would be gone for months at a time due to his affiliation with the U.S. Marine Corps. I have made many connections with others due to our parents serving in the military. Unfortunately, this connection revealed that many parents and loved ones became disabled during their career in the military. Personally, I could not imagine what my life would be like if my father lost his ability to do basic things.
Gale Immel Mr Wilsey PCI 1/15/2015 Physical Therapist The career I chose was a Physical Therapist. A Physical Therapist are also commonly called PTs, they help injured or ill people improve their range of motion and also help them manage their pain. Physical Therapist are often one of the most important part of the rehabilitation and treatment coming from surgery, chronic conditions, or injuries.
As an undergraduate student at North Georgia, I have experienced some of the most memorable moments of my life, which include creating friendships, exploring new ways of thinking, and gaining newfound knowledge and perception of the world around me. The positive atmosphere that surrounds the college instills a unique sense of camaraderie between students and professors. The values and traditions implemented by the University have molded me into a more mature and rounded individual. Because of my success as an undergraduate at North Georgia, I wish to remain at this institution for the remainder of my college career. The doctorate of physical therapy program has persistently displayed student success through remarkable pass rates on the state
The streets of my hometown have not been this flooded since the Ohio River rose over the ten-foot flood wall in 1937; only this time not by water, but by prescription pain pills. I grew up in the foothills of Appalachia, where pain clinics were widespread throughout the Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia tri-state area until 2010. Physical therapy is an option that residents of my hometown are not fully aware of. The opioid crisis that is currently being fought by the APTA is something that continues to go on in front of my own eyes. Unfortunately, the area continues to be unaware and underserved.
What They Do Physical therapists provide care to people who have injuries by helping them improve their movement of the injured area or helping ease the patient’s pain caused by the injury. They diagnose patients’ movements by listening to their concerns about the injury and watching their movements involving the area of concern. They help patients rehabilitate the injury by using methods such as stretching, hands-on therapy, and exercises which helps increase mobility and prevent further pain or injury to the area. They record the patient’s progress and tries new treatments as seen fit. They provide care for injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, arthritis, injuries related to work or sports, and even amputations.
Our 12th guest speaker, Jerre Vanden Bent discussed with us regarding the profession of physical therapy. In order to become a physical therapist, you need to obtain a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with takes 6 to 7 years total. There are three graduate schools in Dallas which offer this degree: UT southwestern, TWU, and UNT. These programs offer a 12-month practicum. As most professional fields, you are required to have a good GPA as the PT program is quite competitive.
My professional goal in life is to become a Physical Therapy for disabled and elderly people. Our country has become the Aging Nation. I have many dreams as I grow up, mainly just live a simple life with a husband and kids as that is what I was culturally exposed to. However, when I was transferring to SDSU for Kinesiology, I honestly do not know what do. There are a lot of choices in SDSU, some is easier than others, and some pays better. My best friend Leah told me, that basing on my personality, I should try Physical Therapy. I love working with people, but I want to make a difference without accidentally killing them. That is why nursing is a no go, despite being Filipino and all.
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