Finally!

                I was excited.  I have prepared all the things I need to teach my client: my objectives, my illustrations and the basketball skills I’ve honed overnight. I even practiced my teaching session with a classmate. I was really expecting to meet my client on that day.  But when expectations meet reality, a sudden turn out of events could occur. And I knew I was in trouble…

I just found out that my client would not be able to have the session with me because of personal reasons. I almost panicked when my professor assigned my classmate and me to a new client, an adolescent who has congenital anomaly and postural deviations. To make it even harder, she has behavioral and cognitive issues. I was afraid. I thought to myself that I would not be able to handle my client.  And that I wouldn’t be able to teach her a thing. I know I was not the first student who has encountered this problem so I have no right to complain, if ever I should be thankful. This will test how I am able to respond to this kind of situation when I become an intern.

We sought an advice to the intern who is assigned to her and he helped us know more about our patient. Because this is our first meeting, we had to make her feel at ease so that we can teach her.  And when we finally met her, I knew that there’s no more turning back.

I was able to adjust to my client’s condition. I was able to make her perform the skills she needs to learn and she accomplished the goals I have set for her. We even had time to play with her! I was even more thrilled when our professor said that our session has helped developed her social skills. I have never felt happier.

A physical therapist needs to be adaptable. My partner and I have depicted that quality when we were assigned to another patient. It sure was difficult at first, but we just let go our worries and enjoyed the time with our client. A physical therapist is firm and confident.  Yes, our client has the tendency to manipulate us and opposes us in any possible way but we have been firm in our way of handling her.  A physical therapist should show compassion and care to her/his clients. My partner and I have made our client feel comfortable when she’s with us.  

At the end our session, our professor provided us with a feedback that almost made my partner and I jumped for joy. The only improvement we needed to make was the shifting of activities with our client since she easily gets bored.

This activity just made me realize how I am looking forward to our internship year. The fear of encountering different kinds of patients has been changed with much anticipation. It’s not because I am ready rather, I just feel happy because I can finally practice my profession and tend to the needs of my clients in my own way.