Physical Therapy-Personal Narrative

My occupational therapy story begins about two years ago. I was 20 years old and beyond excited to be

“The last thing I heard where the sirens. And the last thing I saw where a kaleidoscope of blue and red. And then everything went black, every ounce of air had escaped my lungs and had reached the surface of the lake in the form of little bubbles.” I told Louis Green, possibly the most boring person on earth. I don’t think he wanted to be my therapist anymore then I wanted to be in therapy.

Reflecting from mistakes and practice are major key components of the learning process. This history taking experience with a patient has been truly effective for my future as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. This experience has helped me a lot on improving my communication and interpersonal skills with patients both verbally and non-verbally. Feedback and review were also truly beneficial aspects in the learning part of this experience.

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.

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.

I am a 28 year old from Killeen, Texas. My goal is to become a Physical Therapist and specialize in sports medicine. My long term goal is to start my own Rehabilitation Center centered on sports medicine physical therapy with services in general Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy as well. This rehabilitation will work as an outpatient and have an intensive outpatient setting if needed. I graduated in 2008 with my Bachelors of Arts in Physical Education from Berea College in Kentucky.

I have previously worked with physical therapists while I was a behavioral therapist at an autism clinic. Some of my patients required a multi-dimensional approach with many specialties including PT, OT, and SLP. Prior to this experience I assumed physical therapists had a very limited role in the health care setting. I thought their only focus was on the elderly and post-surgical patients, but then I realized it is a much broader specialty. Physical therapists can also specialize in neurological disorders, special needs children, and many other aspects of the patient’s overall health.

Why do you want to attend a summer program at Wake Forest University? How will this experience help you prepare for your college career and beyond?

I want to help others, in any way I can. My ticket would take me to a physical therapist degree. I gained an interest in becoming a physical therapist when I started to care more about my physical fitness, and wonder all about muscles and the human bodies full potential. I know I would make an excellent physical therapist. My interest in the human body makes it very easy to learn and drives me to learn as much as I possibly can. When it comes to the human body and learning about how different activates and diets affect it, I can never learn enough. I want to be a physical therapist so I can help others feel healthy.

We are what we do. With few exceptions, our contributions to society depend on our ability to move. Therefore, when something impairs our movement and limits those contributions, it affects our identity. Physical therapists recognize this consequence, and by working to mitigate its effects for each of their patients, they ultimately make the world a more optimally functioning place. I want to be a part of this kind of work. As a physical therapist, I will contribute to the profession's goals to transform society by coming alongside each of my patients to challenge and encourage them to see their identity clarified, goals realized, and obstacles minimized as their movement improves.

Movement is vital in maintaining a healthy life. Physical therapists persevere in restoring motion to those who have lost their ability to function physically. It is important to take a proactive approach before symptoms get worse. In order to maintain a healthy life, movement must be integrated in one's life, for healthcare issues start from sedentary lifestyles. It prevents obesity and other health issues which are tied to prevention.

In order to generate educational and occupational options for myself, I have looked at many resources ranging from volunteering in person to researching online. I have volunteered at a retirement home with a kinesiologist to determine if I would like that type work, and more importantly, the work environment. I have also volunteered at a physiotherapy clinic and Toronto rehabilitation institute to get a clinical and hospital experience as well. This has allowed me to get a hands on experience at various difference jobs in the field of healthcare. I have also looked at online resources such as research articles, government website, NOC, and DOT. Along with these resources, I have also gotten the opportunity to work at various jobs

When first starting my undergraduate studies at Saint Francis University, my intentions were originally to get a doctorate in physical therapy with a bachelors in exercise physiology because I thought exercise physiology would complement it well. During my junior year I started to grow a passion for exercise physiology that only grew stronger through the rest of my undergraduate studies. By the time I finished my upper level courses of my undergraduate program I began to realize that I was no longer as interested in physical therapy as much as I once was. I took a few weeks and really reflected on what I truly wanted to do without worrying about what other people think or how much money would be made compared to other jobs. During this reflecting period I discovered several things: I was letting my parents’ guide my life and wasn’t making career choices on what would make me truly happy, the experiences I have had with training individuals and helping them live a healthier life made me truly happy, working in clinical settings and in the lab at Saint Francis University never felt like work and was always enjoyable, Whatever I decide to do I want to be helping people, and that I had a deep connection to individuals with cancer.

Jazz let out a yawn. The sun was dipping underneath the horizon, painting everything in hues of pink and orange, and she yearned for a comfortable bed and a good night’s rest. A night of rest in her old house,

When I was 15 years old, my grandmother had a stroke that affected her physical functions. I attended most of her rehabilitation sessions, and I was fascinated with her satisfaction about regaining her independence. From that time, I knew that I want to be a physical therapist. Helping patients and making them independent as possible was extremely important to me. For that, when I graduated from high school, I took my passion to reality and I applied to physical therapy school at King Saud University, Riyadh – Saudi Arabia.