The Rest of the Story

It's always an honor to be chosen. It's special to know I'm your physical therapist as I'm intertwined into your life - through moments of good and bad, happy and sad and unknowns.

Within my first year of taking a huge risk and opening my own clinic, I met Mary Plettl. I could recognize her voice any time she phoned - whether she was in pain or calling out of the blue with a question.

She experienced one of my most awkwardly embarrassing days.

The Finality of Saying Goodbye

I can never do it... I never say goodbye. Last week, I should have.

The beauty of this community lies in the interconnectedness many of us have with each other. I know, everything is supposed to be "private." I enjoy the banter many of you have with each other as you arrive and leave the clinic. Your quick communications updating each other on those in our community always intrigue me. Many of you probably don't realize, I hear the "send a card," "so and so's coming home," or how someone's kids are doing. I think that's what makes this community special. The genuine caring attitude consistently lives in our community because of you.

Liz called me yesterday after receiving an email blast from the Williamston Chamber of Commerce. I was saddened by the news. Clif McChesney passed away Thursday.

Clif and I only go back to the late 90's. Our paths converged when he needed physical therapy services. If my memory serves me right, neither my skill nor my knowledge could help resolve his pain. I always felt badly that I didn't have any answers or suggestions for him - only questions. To this day, I still wonder if that particular problem was a result of working with lead based oil paints day in and day out. I never found an answer, so I'll never know. Although I know I felt inadequate from that first interaction with Clif, I know he couldn't have felt the same about me because over the years through various other physical issues, I was consistently chosen by him and his wife to meet their physical therapy needs.

Three Things that Make Me Worry

     I know, I know... worrying is an energy drag. Sometimes, I can't help but worry. I worry over things in which I have no control.

     The one thing that will always, always cause me to worry is when you don't attend your scheduled appointment. For some of you, I know you live alone. For those of you who live alone, the game plan is for Liz or me to wait 30-60 minutes and then attempt to reach you by phone. If you don't answer, Liz or I will attempt to reach your emergency contact. Depending on the result of that conversation, 9-1-1 may be be activated. I can't imagine anything worse than needing help and having no avenue to get help. Let me tell you, when I call, there is nothing better than hearing your voice which calms my worry and fears.

A Physical Therapist's Perspective on Daily Unknowns and Gait Belts

Believe it or not, some of you receiving physical therapy services immediately put me on mental alert. I worry that I might not be able to provide services safely. I worry about "what ifs." In my heart, I know it is crazy to worry and it is better to have a game plan for those "what ifs."

Many of you are prescribed multiple medications for various conditions - like diabetes or high blood pressure or heartburn or high cholesterol. Every once in a while, someone has a history of seizures. Seizures are serious events... and scary too, especially for someone who has never seen one happen.

I'd like to tell a story about "Josh." I had the pleasure of meeting Josh a few years ago. He was a Vietnam veteran who sacrificed a lot for all of our freedom. The things he did and the things he saw changed him for life. Upon his return to the States, he had post traumatic stress disorder. Shortly after his return to the States, he was seriously injured in a car accident. The multiple fractures and head trauma continued to affect his life many years later. One serious condition he had as a result was grand mal seizures. Neither the medications nor the implanted stimulator really stopped him from having seizures. Josh immediately put me on mental alert and sounded off my "worry alarms."

Top 5 Reasons for Not Seeing a Physical Therapist

The coolest thing about physical therapy is being a part of your lives, even if for a short stint of time. During that time, I learn interesting things. From multiple conversations and digging and questioning, I've learned what held you back from choosing physical therapy services.

Reason #5: Cost

Definitely a valid reason. Things really are tough for all of us right now. Your life and your body: you are special and important to many people. You touch many lives on a daily basis. If you don't take care of yourself, how can you be there for those who depend on you? Sometimes it is worth paying money for expertise. If you have the right individual providing the expertise, you actually save money. You save because you don't continue to shop around searching and trying all sorts of things. 

When a Physical Therapist Assumes...

No matter how much education one acquires, learning should never stop.  Through many of you, I continue to grow and learn.

One day, a gentleman who was very active in our community, chose Red Cedar for his physical therapy services.  Of all the types of doctors who refer, I was immediately struck by how this particular doctor thought about more than just his specialty.  The doctor was a podiatrist, which isn't unusual, but he decided to refer the gentleman for services because the gentleman was having difficulty getting around his home and in Williamston.  The difficulty in getting around had nothing to do with his feet!  This gentleman was also undergoing dialysis a few times a week.  So... he was weak.

Things That Make Me Smile

Yeah, mismatched socks make me smile... so do crazy, wacky socks that don't go with the apparel I am wearing.  But... other things make me smile too!

For example, "Jason" had a knee replacement 3-4 years ago.  His situation was most definitely not what anyone undergoing a knee replacement would like to have happen.  He had a complication - infection.  When this happens (thank goodness I haven't seen it a ton of times in my career), rehabilitation is hard and long.  The final results aren't generally fabulous and wonderful.  Frequently enough, I see "Jason" as I drive toward the main intersection in town.  He's always walking his dog.  I can't help but smile - knowing how hard he worked to get to how I now see him walking - no limp with near normal motion.  No one would even know he had such a time after his knee replacement, except for probably him and me.  I smile...

What makes you smile?

photo via Flickr by pzed