My Journey to Changing The World by Tyler

My Journey to Changing The World by Tyler - December 2023 Scholarship Essay

As I reflect on my journey to find my calling, I am reminded of the diverse career aspirations I entertained during my formative years. From dreaming of becoming a chef, soldier, model, wedding planner, and fashion designer to contemplating a future as a photojournalist, my ambitions were as varied as they were numerous. The same troubles burden me when I embarked on my academic journey at Kennesaw State University. I began pre-med and conversations with practicing physicians further distanced me from the envisioned fulfillment of a lifelong career. I shifted gears to nursing, influenced by familial and advisory guidance, only to find myself unhappy and at odds with the profession's demands. I felt lost for a little bit until I found out about what physical therapy is.

After shadowing at local clinics I fell in love with the profession. I'll brief this next part just out of respect for their privacy but there was this patient that came in every shift that I had for about two months. I was able to work with them closely, with the supervision of the physical therapist on duty. I gave them exercises and gave them emotional support when some times were harder than others. They made such a lasting impact on me because I got to watch them grow from their pain and blossom into something beautiful. They came in barely able to walk on their own to now striding gracefully all over the clinic by themselves. I talked to them, learned about them on a personal level, and connected with them through their life stories. I was able to help them talk through the past and welcome the present through that connection alone. I will forever be grateful for what they taught me and for what they gifted me; I was taught that physical therapy is just as much emotional as physical while being gifted with certainty; This is the gift I wanted to give every patient I encountered. We as physical therapists have the biggest opportunity and privilege of spending the most time with a patient than any other health profession so we should always take advantage of our time because we have the power to save lives and change patient outcomes over time.

After this, I I was offered a part-time position at Benchmark as a ‘Physical Therapy Technician’ and I changed my path and majored in Psychology with a concentration in Physical Therapy. I was later accepted to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where I’m currently enrolled into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Here is where my journey to innovate the field has grounded me in a commitment to holistic healing. I envision influencing progress on both the personal and societal levels. By being dedicated to the creative outside of the box thinking when it comes to my treatment. Making physical therapy a place that people of all ages look forward to coming to by curating exercise plans tailored to each individual and going the extra mile by checking to make sure nothing goes unnoticed. I also want to emphasize jobs that many people aren't aware of that physical therapists handle like wound-care treatment, cranial nerve testing, scoliosis treatment, recognition & and prevention and so much more. Most of all, before anything else I believe I can further innovate the profession by being a patient advocate and catering to their needs which would always be the center of my work in this world. I will change society for the better as a physical therapist, both physically and emotionally.