My professional journey began when I was ten years old. I like to think that I have not chosen my career path, but my career path has chosen me.
Growing up I felt the need to figure out my path as soon as possible. I had the urge to be like my mother who has experience in health care, traveled the world and became a Russian Linguist. Or my father, who moved to the states from Israel when he was fourteen, graduated from three different colleges, and has a private practice in Geriatric Psychology. I had many dreams of becoming an artist, pianist, professional horseback rider, a model. I tried it all. I was good at what I did, but I did not love it. I knew I could do anything I put my mind to; however, I did not know what that would ever be. As a child you have no idea what the world has to offer and there I was, trying so hard to find it.
At the age of twelve , I woke up and I went to a water park with my father and brother. That day changed my outlook on the world. My father was in an accident and was paralyzed from the neck down. I immediately went from being a 12-year old girl dreaming about being rich and famous to a 12-year-old girl who witnessed her fathers accident and had to immediately become the caretaker for my father and siblings.
It was soon after that, when both of my grandmother's were admitted to the hospital, one being diagnosed with Alzheimer's and one diagnosed with ovarian cancer, both passing shortly after.
Two years later, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that age, I had no idea what to think other than "cancer is bad". My strong, independent, hard working mother, who took care of three children single handedly, was sick, and no one would have ever known if it were not for the physical side effects. She took care of everyone else before anyone could for her, and it was not until she started chemotherapy that I realized how much she truly does as a mother and a person.
I remember sitting in high-school thinking about what I wanted to do with my career. I realized I wanted to take a path that involved helping others, I wanted to become my selfless mother and I wanted to help people who were unable to do things that they should be able to do. My fathers accident changed the way I view the human body and what we take for granted. My grandmothers diagnosis's helped me realize how much I was interested in learning about how the brain and body works, and my mothers diagnosis had changed my self perception as well as my perception of other people.
" Help people, even when you know they can't help you back"
I will always remind myself of this quote
These were unexpected, sudden and life changing events in more ways than one, but each have guided me to the realization that becoming a Physical Therapist was my future. I love to help people, specifically people who are in pain both physically and mentally, not living their best quality of life, and these three specific events, while intense, helped me grow into the person I am today; an independent, strong, caring woman.
I grew up around health care providers who taught me how to not only take care of my family, but myself. When entering as a freshman into my undergraduate program I went in knowing I wanted to be involved in health care. I constantly was looking for ways to get involved with health and wellness. My sophomore year until I graduated with my Bachelors in Health and Exercise Science, I worked with one student, around my age, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Each day I helped this student with their daily routine; getting up, using the bathroom, getting dressed and going to class, and sometimes we would go to the cafeteria to have lunch! There was not one moment that I was not learning both educationally, and about myself.
I also volunteered at Project Walk, a paralysis gym, and the rehabilitation facility my father was admitted to, Magee Rehabilitation. Walking into Magee the first day was hard and I was unsure if I had made a mistake. If this career path would almost be too much. However, walking out of the elevator, a patient immediately asked me to help him eat in the cafeteria. I was meant to be there that day.
In any way I can, I always find myself offering to be someone's shoulder. Each day, I was able to see myself change, by learning through the eyes of others and by figuring out who I was. I enjoyed every moment I spent helping others, physically, mentally and spiritually and to this day, thinking about the experiences I have had that helped me begin this journey, I still get the chills.
I knew that this interest of helping people live their best life was my professional interest and becoming a physical therapist was the ultimate goal. Everyday I thought to myself, it does not matter how and why the individual got hurt/sick, what matters is that each person deserves a good quality of life.
" Our patients journeys are our journey's too".
" An injury is not just a process of recovery, it's a process of discovery."
Entering Physical Therapy school I expected to learn a lot about the profession: how to treat injuries, decrease pain and improve patients movement.
I also learned:
A lot about myself as a student, professional, a leader and a friend.
About my weaknesses and how they impact both my education and career
Which in turn helped me find out my strengths and how I can overcome my weaknesses.
And what my core values and interests are and how to continue to keep each of them a priority.
I learned that the best clinicians know who they are as a person and what their values and passions are, stay confident and are always willing to continue to learn.