My Cousin's Marathon Mishap: A Health Charity Event - Essay Sample

Introduction

Growing up, I used to attend marathons and other sporting events either for leisure or charity. One time, I dared my cousin to participate in the marathon for a few bucks, which he badly needed to buy a pair of second hand Jordan’s. Unfortunately, he sprained his knee after tripping on a stone on the running track, so he did not complete the lap. The marathon was a health charity event, so it was packed with health practitioners. I watched a physiotherapist examine his leg from a distance. The doctor checked his ankle for swelling by gently touching the skin around the injured area and slightly moved his foot to examine the range of motion and determine which positions were uncomfortable or sore (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research). I was intrigued by how easily the professional handled the injury. I developed an interest in having a deeper understanding of the physiological and anatomical processes behind physical activities. Acquiring and applying such impactful principles to address and prevent various physical complications with such ease and expertise is what I cannot wait to do, and I believe this program is a fundamental step towards this achievement.

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My basic academic background has laid a robust foundation for my interest in Exercise Science. I consistently scored high grades in Biology, Chemistry, and Physical Education, which further encouraged my interest in the course. Physical Education has allowed me to develop a first-hand understanding of the physiological basis for body activity and exercise, for example. General knowledge in various subjects such as biology and mathematics is a basis for deeper understanding and interpretation of the analytical and anatomy aspects of the domain (Simonson). The general knowledge in these areas is the groundwork upon which I can build on other specified fields such as exercise science.

The main reason I want to major in Exercise Science is I want to become a physical therapist, and this program is often a requirement in this field. I find a career in physiotherapy rewarding because it means improving people’s quality of life (Huynh). My ambition is to contribute to the overall wellness of individuals with respect not just to their physical disabilities but also the emotional effects or demands of their conditions. The Exercise Science program is the cornerstone course that will sharpen me for my career.

The Exercise Science Program is a broad-based program that goes over and beyond to offer exposure to fitness assessment programs, biomechanics, kinesiology, and anatomy principles, nutrition principles, wellness programs, all of which present more career opportunities. To be a successful physical therapist, I must have extensive knowledge regarding physical activity as well as physiological responses to that activity, both chronic and acute (Simonson). This course allows an understanding of key concepts such as relevant legal and ethical standards, diversity of client populations, intervention strategies, and their viability based on environmental factors (Simonson). The social and academic aspects of this course will provide insight into current developments in health care, technology, culture, as well as the effect of these developments in the practice of physical therapy. This program will, most importantly, allow me to advance intellectually, socially, and personally.

All my work experiences have equipped me with viable transferable skills. In my first placement at Chick-fil-a, I received staff recognition as the best worker because of my exceptional customer service skills and successfully oriented new hires into their roles. This placement was an opportunity to advance my leadership and communication skills. Later on, I took on an advocacy role at Lily Pad which is a generally a rehabilitative program for children and young adults who are victims of abuse. At Lily Pad, I come across young individuals who have undergone life-altering, sometimes mind-altering experiences. Interacting with these individuals from various demographic groups has allowed me to appreciate the emotional aspects of therapy. It changed my perception of therapy in entirety, as not just intervention to address physical pain, but also to help patients cope with the emotional stress that comes with life-changing injuries or complications (Simonson). This made me realize that the mental aspects of rehabilitation are as important as the physical aspects in regards to helping clients recuperate in a supportive way. This means that every individual ought to be approached differently based on both their emotional and physical needs (Simonson). It opened my eyes to the broad scope of support and therapy that physical therapists provide. These placements have either equipped me with relevant skills or enlightened me in ways that fuel my interest in physical therapy.

My placement as a camp counsellor at the YMCA at South Dekalb has also been a rewarding experience. I have witnessed the potential of physical activity as most programs are built upon physically engaging activity to create safe outdoor learning experiences to enhance character building, interaction, and build confidence. Dealing with large groups of young people has, with time, shaped my ability to communicate effectively, especially when dealing with difficult and unfamiliar circumstances. I have occasionally observed or assisted physiotherapists treating or checking on children at the cam. In these instances, I have observed that physiotherapists need to establish a clear line of communication with other health professionals for patient evaluation and follow- up procedures (Huynh). This means that effective communication is crucial, and my placement at Chick-fil-A and Lily Pad granted me the ideal opportunity to develop my communication and leadership skills. In these diverse roles, I have acquired skills that will be essential to the completion of the program, such as time management, teamwork, communication, and leadership. This exposure has granted me an understanding of the significance of physiotherapy, how professionals need to work as part of a collective team, and how to deal with unfamiliar circumstances through leadership and effective communication.

My hobbies and interests are a range of outdoor activities. I enjoy outdoor activities more because I am generally a very energetic individual. I find pleasure in physically engaging leisure activities, such as hiking, rock climbing. I like activities that involve setting targets and meeting those targets because it improves my confidence and enhances my sense of discipline. I like activities that encourage team building, so I enjoy planning and participating in physical activity with others. With time, I have realized I enjoy working as part of a team, and I’m naturally an individual who seeks to nurture others. Throughout my life experiences, I have always enjoyed activities that allowed me to help others reach their maximum potential and boost their overall wellbeing.

I am a viable candidate for this course because I understand the significance of holistic rehabilitation to improve the overall wellbeing of people’s lives. The idea that someone could have been dealing with a complication for a long time and that a small lifestyle change I recommend eventually brings them relief is gratifying. The helplessness and disability that comes with an injury or complication can be draining both physically and emotionally (Franklin). Being the individual that impacts effective change for such individuals would be an honor.

Works Cited

Franklin, Barry, et al. “Exercise Physiologist’s Role in Clinical Practice." British Journal of Sports Medicine vol. 43, no. 2, 2009, 93-98. bjsm.bmj.com/content/43/2/93.short

Huynh, Danny. “Role of a Physical Therapist.” APTA, 2019, www.apta.org/PTCareers/RoleofaPT/Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. “Sprained Ankle.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 28 Nov. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sprained-ankle/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353231. Accessed 15 June 2020.

Simonson, Shawn R. “Establishing Common Course Objectives for Undergraduate Exercise Physiology.” Advances in Physiology Education vol. 39, no. 4, 2015, 295-308. journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00020.2015