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February 10, 2003
A: FROM MODERATOR SARAH SHIRK
IN IL
Hi Ashely. Right now we don't have any mentors who are physical
therapists. I thought I would reply because I worked in the
rehabiliation outcomes business for many years and also coached
a wheelchair track team at the Rehabilitation Institute of
Chicago alongside several physical therapists. The physical
therapists I worked with were all athletes who wanted to take
their love of sports and coach people who had physical disabilities.
The positive aspect of this was that people with disabilities
have the same drive to win as anyone else. I saw many tears
on the way to the championships.
The negative aspect for me was seeing how fragile our bodies
are. Many of the spinal chord athletes were injured in car
accidents or gang fights. I found myself full of despair on
several occassions when I was overcome by sadness at how one
bad night could change a person's life so drastically. But
on the positive side, I began to really understand the meaning
behind the disability rights movement. The challenges the
athletes had just to get to practice on time were huge. The
removal of barriers demanded by the Americans with Disabilities
Act are essential to giving persons with disabilities the
same rights we all have.
Not all physical therapists work with spinal chord patients.
Some work with seniors who are recovering from strokes or
other injuries while others work with newborn infants. You
could also work with professional athletes who are trying
to prevent injuries. There is quite a range of possibilities.
Have you thought about what population you would like to work
with?
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A: FROM MENTEE KATE S. IN NY
My cousin works as a physical therapist, as does his wife,
who has her doctorate. My cousin chose the field because he
wanted to help people, and also because working around people
kept him happy. He loved biology when he took it, and said
that it helps him in his line of work.
His wife said almost the same thing: She liked helping those
less physically able than she. This job appears to be for
those who like people and science!
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