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Inspiring Success Stories

In this section, we present the success stories submitted by OPA members. These inspiring stories will help you discover the many ways in which Ontario’s university-educated, registered physiotherapists are helping people grow stronger. Enjoy the stories and be sure to submit your own stories and photos to share with others.

 

Physiotherapists' Submissions

 

 

 

Student Submissions

 

Physiotherapy: Freedom Throughout the Years – By Janique Farand-Taylor
I ran the Toronto marathon this past weekend and although (I) was only moderately pleased with my time (3:51), I was absolutely thrilled that I went into the marathon and came out the other side with very few back problems! Three or four years ago, I would have never imagined it possible.

 

Physiotherapy: Pushing the Limits – Helen Zipes
As the Clinical Director of The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation program, which includes the tertiary Rehabilitation Centre, I have the occasion to meet a lot of patients and their families. While all patients are special to us, there are a few that have really touched my heart and left an impression there. Master Corporal (MCpl) Mike Trauner is one of these individuals.

 

Babs – Young at Heart – Again! – By Margaret Martin
Anne was desperate to find someone to help her aging friend, Babs, recover from a back strain. “Her pain is so bad that she is barely making it out of bed,” Anne told me when she called me at home one evening. “I’m afraid if she doesn’t start moving soon, she won’t be able to walk to the dining room in her retirement residence”

 

Physiotherapists Help People with Parkinson’s Disease and Stroke ‘Keep Moving’ with Exercise – By Esmé French, Anne MacLeod, and Kirsti Reinikka
Physiotherapists recognize that regular and ongoing exercise is essential to helping clients regain or maximize their mobility, confidence, strength, health, and most importantly, their independence and freedom to function!

 

Determination: A Real Success Story - By Marie Andrée Paquin
Right from the beginning, he showed his willingness to participate in intense daily therapy. In OT, he worked very hard at regaining function of his left hand.

 

“I Just Can’t Get My Socks On” - By Evelyn McComb
While picking a beautiful red tomato in her garden, she fell and broke her hip, sustaining a right inter-trochanteric hip fracture and receiving an inter-medullary rod.

 

Freedom Through Physiotherapy – By Matthew Aggerholm
Freedom, mobility and strength are three elements of life we take for granted until they are lost. The story I wish to share with you is a great portrayal of how physiotherapy can restore an individual’s quality of life through improved strength, mobility and freedom.

 

Strength in All Sizes – By Shelley Mannell
Allison was 9 months old when I first met her and her family. She had a diagnosis of schizencephaly and it was apparent when we met that she had difficulties in many systems.

 

Touching Lives - By Jennifer Hordijk
He was a large, barrel of a man; a hard working business man who showed his love to his family by ensuring they were well supported. The first time I met Al, I was reminded of my father. How would I want my Dad treated if he had a stroke?

 

Patients and Physiotherapists: Growing Stronger Together – By Gwen St. John
Recalling the Physiotherapy Today (June/July 2009) article about the "Fifth Annual Co-ed Physiotherapy Beach Volleyball Face-Off" to support Camp BUCKO, prompted me to contribute to OPA's "Stronger In So Many Ways" campaign.

 

Helping People Be Themselves Again – By Angela Dueck
Working in the ICU is an emotional and rewarding area of practice. Most of the patients are extremely debilitated and unstable throughout their stay.

 

The Singer – By Artur Koka-Puziarski
She developed a pulmonary infection that led to respiratory arrest while abroad. She spent about eight weeks on a ventilator with a tracheotomy tube in place on steroids and morphine.

 

A Gold Medal for My Physiotherapist and I - By Jeff Edwards
It was my final year of high school. I had been working toward this goal for the previous five years. I was a track and field athlete; my event was the pole vault, and my vision - to be the best in Ontario.

 

A Pair of Successes – By Sujith Abraham
Mrs. B was admitted to St. Joseph's Villa October 31, 2007 following a fractured left hip. She was clear from day one that her goal was to return to her home. At the age of 84, she was highly motivated...

 

Reclaiming My Life With Physiotherapy – Submitted By Dorothy Borovich
Through my extensive rehab, and with the help of my physiotherapists, I went from a wheelchair to a rollator, and now with limited use of a cane I can walk, drive, and be more independent. It is through physiotherapy, that I was able to succeed, even with the dismal outlook of my medical specialists.

 

My Story - By Matt Lynds
As an undergraduate kinesiology student I always knew that I wanted to play some role in a physiotherapy clinic, but I never really knew what it meant to be a practitioner until the summer after graduation. I headed to Lima, Peru to work in a shantytown as a member of Solidarity Experiences Abroad at Brock University.

 

Stronger In So Many Ways – By Laura J Graham
During one of my first visits to Ontario, my aunt told me that she regularly walks her neighbourhood and does sit-ups and push-ups, daily. She is one of six sisters whom have all lived long, healthy lives.

 

In this Gym – By Audrey Perreault
On my first day of placement, my first impression of the physiotherapy gym was plain and ordinary. I could say I perceived this gym the same way that I was seeing my future career.

 

My Grandfather, My Inspiration – By Fleur Nelson
Having made my decision to enter graduate studies in physiotherapy, I discovered the field I wanted to pursue was geriatrics. One of the most important and influential people in my life was my grandfather.

 

Ode to Strength - By Jenna Peters
Deciding to become a physiotherapist was a great decision
I can help all types of people with poise and precision

 

How Physiotherapy Makes Me Stronger - By Bailey Drennan
I aspire to become a physiotherapist. As such, I am currently in my first year of Queen’s University Master’s Physiotherapy Program. Having undergone major surgery to repair my knee, I appreciate the value of physiotherapy first hand.

 

Creativity Required - By Kathryn Freeman
During my undergraduate program I had always been fascinated by human anatomy, physiology and pathology. While working, I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt as mentally engaged as I had in university.

 

The Motivating Factors that Influenced me to Pursue a Career in Physiotherapy – By Leah Skinner
The physiotherapist I worked with not only inspired me, but also made me realize that I had a desire to pursue such a career.

 

Making a Difference – By Sarah Marshall
What to do with my life? This is a question that every high school and undergraduate student has to ask themselves as graduation approaches. It is a question that in the same moment causes equal amounts of excitement and utter panic. I was no different.

 

Why I Became a Physiotherapist – By Véronique Yeon
Physiotherapy caught my attention because it was a profession where I could have a direct impact on someone and teach them the knowledge that I, myself, had acquired.

 

Why Physiotherapy Is Right for Me – By Nicole Wilson
Since the moment I was introduced to physiotherapy, I knew it was everything I was looking for in a career. One of the obvious benefits is being able to make a difference in peoples’ lives. Whether it is decreasing pain, recovering from an injury, improving range of motion or restoring function, I have seen first-hand the remarkable impact physical therapy can have on a person’s life.

 

The Impact of Physiotherapy – By Valerie Nagtegaal
The pathway guiding the direction and my decision in choosing to pursue a MSc. in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University has been influenced by many factors. I was first introduced to physical therapy as a career in high school when I took an Exercise Science class.

 

 

Send us your story!

Do you have a success story of how a physiotherapist helped you or a loved grow stronger? If so, send us your words and photos in an email to stronger@opa.on.ca.

If your story is approved, we’ll publish it to the website. Please note that by submitting any stories or photos, you agree that those words and images become the property of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association and you grant the OPA permission to reproduce and retransmit the words and images in perpetuity and at no cost.