Inspirations

As a hockey player wannabe from Cranbrook, I dreamed of one day playing in the NHL. OK my dream was not original for a Canadian. After a short stint of Jr Hockey at 16, my career slowly faded as I had 4 knee surgeries, one thigh and one ankle repair before I was 19. It was then I thought maybe I belong on the other side of the table. I was inspired by my Physiotherapist, Blair Farrish from Cranbrook, who was very cool and sounded like Sean Connery. I then went to UVic where I became a student trainer and had the opportunity to work with Dan Devlin who was one of Canada’s first Sport

When I was in high school, I worked part time as a lifeguard and swimming instructor. I ended up doing private lessons with a young boy who was recovering from a brain injury. His goal was to get comfortable in the water again, so he could go swimming with his classmates when they did lessons together later that year. It was so amazing to watch his progression, from being fearful of even moving around in the water to swimming well enough that he could happily join in swimming with his friends. It made me realize what a privilege and joy it was to help someone regain their physical function and

I was a Fisheries Biologist who got tired of the politics of resource management. I was doing volunteer work at Noble House and a Long Term Care facility and enjoying that far more than my day job. I was thinking of a career change but couldn’t decide. My mom and her mom were both RNs but I really didn’t think nursing was for me. A friend of mine who works at GF Strong said “you would be a great Physio” I said “what is a physio?“ He invited me come and see. After shadowing a few physios in different settings I thought, “this would be a fabulous career”. So I applied even though I was now in my

I had some early experiences with physiotherapy as a teenager through sport injuries and was aware of the Rehabiltation program at UBC from my older sister who trained five years ealier than me and graduated to work as an Occupational Therapist. I was still not certain on my future until I began first year biology at college. Within a few months of studying anatomy and physiology I knew that I wanted to work in a health related field. At that time I was very involved in weightlifting and physiotherapy seemed the perfect fit to combine my love of exercise and strength training and the study of

When I was five, my mother underwent a radical mastectomy (removal of pec major and minor, excision of lymph nodes) for treatment of breast cancer. Improperly administered radiation treatments resulted in severe burns to her chest wall. Once home, the VON came daily to change the dressings on the decomposing tissue. Since she came on weekdays only, my sister (age 8) and I (age 6) had to change the dressings on the weekends. This inspired me to never become a nurse. I was fascinated, however, to watch my mother work to overcome the disability associated with the loss of use of her right arm

My inspiration to become a physiotherapist came when I was in Grade 10. Her name was Susie and she was a five year-old, bilateral lower extremity amputee. I was volunteering at what was then called the Crippled Children’s centre. I had no idea what I was doing when I agreed to take children swimming on Saturday mornings at the centre, but I loved children and swimming so I thought I’d give it a try. Susie taught me everything: how to take the hospital bed rail down, how to position her chair and transfer her. Most of all it was how she spoke about her physiotherapist that intrigued me. Her

Whenever I reflect on my 20+ years as a Physiotherapist, I cannot help but smile and feel a wave of gratitude. I started my physiotherapy training at 18 and have not had a single moment of regret. I belong to a profession that changes the world, one person at a time. I am fortunate to work in a community of Physiotherapists who embody passion for their profession, compassion for their patients, and tremendous community spirit. I have been honoured to be in the presence of patients who had the capacity and heart to overcome tremendous obstacles and rebuild their lives, with hard work and sheer

Breast cancer diagnosis is a very overwhelming experience and many women seem to appreciate having another professional (a physio) to speak to, ask questions of, cry with and have as a cheerleader on their team.

Physiotherapy makes a profound impact in the lives of so many children. As therapists, we are often focused on the improvements in physical measures. But so often the greatest benefit comes from somewhere else. In walks: a teenage boy with hemiplegia. Face drawn, eyes downward glancing, shoulders slumped. It's been a tough day at school. Slowly he eases into therapy. Within 5 or so minutes, after a couple of light jokes and success with a simple gross motor game, a smile emerges. 30 minutes soon passes: with words like "This rocks", "I can do that" and finally "Give me the challenging one"

In grade 11 we were asked to figure out what we wanted to be when we grew up, so we could plan to get the appropriate pre-requisites for University. I chose physiotherapy. I was actively involved in sports, and knew wanted a job with variability and a career where I didn't have to sit at a desk all day. It seemed like a good choice. Unlike some of the other decisions made in grade 11, it turned out to be a great one.