Sophie Kooy trained as a ballerina when young, only to have her dreams shattered in an auto accident. This heartfelt reflection details her despair, what kept her alive when she felt no longer able to live, and how she eventually found healing. She also found a new passion—one that her vigorous training as a dancer, she now realizes, prepared her to take on. She is currently sharing her gifts with the world in a new direction that readers will applaud.

This brilliant Perspective raises a profound question: what if ‘disability’ is simply one point on a spectrum of constraints that inspire creativity in every person on earth? The author states, “…I struggle to know at what point I qualified in the minds of others as ‘disabled.’” He presents a powerful argument for focusing on what humans can do, and not on what may constrain us at any given point in our lives. A poetic must-read.

Download the article (pdf) Table of Contents Congratulations to Doctor of Physical Therapy Students Vanessa Lista, SPT (Neumann University) and Priyanka Bhakta, SPT (Emory University),

Download the article (pdf) Table of Contents Congratulations to Doctor of Physical Therapy Students Vanessa Lista, SPT (Neumann University) and Priyanka Bhakta, SPT (Emory University),

Download the article (pdf) Table of Contents The news came via text from a colleague. Adam had died the day before, from a cause not

Download the article (pdf) Table of Contents Healthcare professionals working in a hospital setting must respond to a variety of stressful situations while on the

Download the article (pdf) Table of Contents Early in my career I worked very closely with a patient who many on my ICU team said

In this thoughtful piece, Dr. Regina Kaufman tells of an encounter with a man in a checkout line who remembered that she was his physical therapist more than 30 years ago. Describing the man’s “relatively cool” demeanor, she expresses her fear that perhaps his memory of his treatment was not a completely positive one. She tries to recall the level of care she was able to provide as a novice, and notes that wisdom can only truly develop over time.

In her narrative reflection, Kate Mihevc Edwards presents her honest self-portrait as an avid runner whose life — and very identity — were altered by injury. But experiencing the vulnerability of losing her very sense of self proved to be a gift over time, she reports. “The work I put in to help me survive and cope made me a better clinician,” she states. She shows how her loss helped her to develop a deeper understanding of the importance of empathy in healthcare.

In a poignant personal account, Susan Deusinger details her father’s final months and his ultimate decision to take charge of his own death process. Although his passing left a void in her life, she notes that he also gave her “the privilege of honoring his beliefs and supporting his choices — something we don’t always have the opportunity to do as clinicians.” A video interview accompanies this piece, in Deusinger’s own words.

In her essay, “Beyond Words,” Amanda Kaufman, PT, DPT illustrates how providing a space for her patient to tell her full story, during one of her darkest moments, and listening carefully, established the trust that allowed their healing work together to begin.

2020 is defined by crises and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and racial tensions. These impact the moral, social, political and economic foundations of

Grace White, PT, DPT, relates in her essay, “Pride, Prejudice, and Professionalism,” how she used patience, insight, and a clever strategy to overcome her patient’s sexist bias against her and deliver his treatment.

In this sensitive reflection, DPT student Mercedes Aguirre describes an incident during her first clinical experience that taught her the importance of taking a deep breath—and speaking up on behalf of one’s patient.

Jake Raecker, DPT student, recalls a patient he encountered during his first clinical rotation who gave him quite a shock—but, with care and attention, taught him a valuable lesson about looking beyond first impressions.

The healthcare professions often attract talented, committed perfectionists. But what can practitioners do when that perfectionism negatively affects rehabilitation? In “The Best is the Enemy of the Good,” David Gillette describes how his PT residency experience, and the thoughtful guidance of his mentors, helped him confront the negative aspects of his perfectionism and turn his thoughts toward the good.

The United States abides by the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act to regulate bodies donated to science; prior consent must be given. When DPT students at Georgia State University had the opportunity to attend an anatomic exhibition displaying preserved human specimens from another country, many ethical questions arose. In “Human Anatomical Gifts,” three writers offer their perspectives, developed during the discussions that ensued, on the ethics of anatomic study—and exhibition.

Healthcare educators may find inspiration from a seemingly infinite number of resources. In “Reading Eucalyptus,” Christy D. DiFrances describes how an encounter with a work of magical fiction years ago still provides her with “keen observations that are surprisingly relevant to education in academic medicine and health sciences.”

In a thoughtful and sensitive report, physical therapist Cameron Jadali discusses the lessons learned in his interaction with an overweight patient–reflecting on his previously unrealized biases regarding weight.

Dr. Jodan Garcia writes about the transformative experience of serving migrant farmworkers in south Georgia.

Program Director in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Southern Mississipi, Dr. Holly Huye shares a poignant reflection of her mother’s struggles with dementia and a family’s dedication to preserving memories.