This is Just the Beginning...

    Since I was in middle school I have had an idea of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, become a physical therapist. I started playing soccer in the seventh grade where my passion would soon begin. My knees began to dislocate temporarily when I would plant and twist, and sometimes lock in a flexed position if I were to fall on them. A major inconvenience for a young girl just trying to be great at a sport. After my knees popped out the first few times, I went to the doctor; because that is not normal for knees to dislocate. Luckily, a major injury that needed surgery was out of the question, the doctors just told me I needed to strengthen the muscles around my knees (i.e. hamstrings and quadriceps) to prevent dislocation from occurring. They prescribed wearing a brace, icing for the pain, and physical therapy which I had to attend several days a week. As soon as I began my physical training my passion for the profession grew. I loved watching myself and others in the clinic become stronger and recover from injuries. Every session seemed like a struggle but when I came back, I was a little stronger. The other patients receiving treatment felt the same way, you can see it in their eyes as they finished their last set of squats or lateral arm raises. The clinic was a place for hope and determination, which immediately lured me in. I would look forward to going to physical therapy so I could learn more stretches and exercises as well as seeing improvement in myself and others. When my treatment stopped, my passion never did. I would always watch in fascination as my soccer coach would wrap a teammates ankle or if an athletic trainer needed to rush the field to attend to an injury, I was always so curious as to what the protocol was. I wanted to make treatment plans and make athletes, or people in general, stronger then they were before an injury. I wanted to help others, to show them to push themselves so they can be better, watching that success of others and taking part in it is my dream.

     My junior year of high school I took sports medicine and honors anatomy and physiology. To some people it was just another class, but to me I wanted to excel in the class and understand the material, I was determined to learn everything I could about these courses. Now as senior year begins to roll around,  new challenges and opportunities emerge. I was lucky enough to be selected as an physical therapist intern at the San Ramon Regional Hospital. I am beyond excited and nervous to see what this course has in store for me. With the help of iQuest and Advanced Sports Medicine I can submerge myself deeper in the career I want to pursue in and out of college. Senior year will be full of new opportunities and chances to show how passionate I am about physical therapy. I hope to learn everyday and to never slack in school, even though finding motivation will be hard. As I push through my last year in high school I will still find time for family and friends, always keeping a smile, and motivating class mates. With all my extra energy, Trevor Koehne, a friend, and myself will be the new MCs for all school events in leadership.  On top of that, I will be continuing working as a barista at Starbucks. It seems I have a lot on my plate senior year, but I am going to make it one to remember. Staying focused will be a challenge but being able to do what I love is worth the price.