Pediatric PT

I started my journey to become a Physical Therapist when I was in grade school. I was a volunteer at one of our local hospitals. The last summer I volunteered, they assigned me to the outpatient pediatric therapy department. That was where I started to think about being a PT, although pediatrics was not necessarily the goal.

When I was in college, I got a job in a local outpatient clinic that treated people of all ages for all conditions. That job sealed the deal as far as me wanting to become a PT, and my boss and co-workers really helped me prepare for applying for and then getting though PT school. While at that clinic, I got my first exposure to kids and PT. One girl in particular, Krisanna, stood out to me. She had some pretty amazing deficits and hurdles to living a 'normal' life, but she was living it more than most people I know.

Once in PT school, I got very little hands on exposure to pediatric PT. What I did get, I loved. But pediatric PT isn't something you jump out of school and do. So I did the next best thing. I got a job at a facility with a heavy neuro population. And I have loved that job, and the people I work for and with. They have been there for me through everything with Sam, and I can't thank them enough.

But, last month, Krisanna passed away. I haven't seen her for a few years, but her bright spirit left its mark. While reflecting on her, and on our interactions, I made the decision to start a transition into pediatric therapy. Now, to be honest, my plan was to just take some peds classes and get some books in preparation for a FUTURE peds job. Providence had other plans.

About a week after I heard about Krisanna, I got a postcard in the mail from a pediatric speech clinic here in Macon. They were planning to expand their practice into physical therapy, and were looking for a PT. I felt like this happened for a reason. So I got an interview.

I loved the clinic, I loved the people, and I loved the position they wanted me to fill. I got the job.

Today, I turned in my letter resigning my full time position at my current facility. It was hard for me, and some of the reactions I got made it a little more difficult (a mix of happiness, tears, and shock). It is hard to find PTs in our area, and me leaving will make it hard on my co-workers for a while. But I just feel like this is serendipity...I feel led to this. And I don't usually talk like that. It is going to be hard at first, and I'll have to do a lot of research and studying over the next two months (the job will start February 15). But I feel fairly certain this was just meant to be.

Thanks, Krisanna.

~Kathy