Posted October 13, 2011
by Julie Bringas
Julie Bringas, PT
I decided that I wanted to be a physical therapist when I was a junior in high school. “How,” you ask?
Well, I knew I was a “people-person” as so many of us are, and always felt drawn to the healthcare industry. I didn’t have the aspiration to go to school long enough to be a doctor and I was not interested in becoming a nurse. But as a Spanish assignment, I had to interview two professionals from different professions at my high school Career Fair. I found a physical therapist.
She was young and enthusiastic. And aside from my misconception that being a physical therapist meant giving massages, she enlightened me to the possibilities of physical therapy: the opportunities to work with everyone from
babies to seniors and the wide variety of work settings. I was immediately captured; it was perfect.
I became a physical therapist and worked with the senior population. It gave me great joy, not to just work with the patient, but to be involved with their families including spouses, children and grandchildren. I felt that I was able to inspire patients to do more than they thought they could, and there was nothing more gratifying to me than seeing a patient stroll out of the therapy department having entered unable to walk.
Now, 20 years since graduation, I am still proud of my profession and feel satisfied knowing that I have, and continue to, positively impact so many lives over the years. I hold a position that allows me to educate consumers and clients as to the benefits of physical therapy services and wellness programming. I work for a company that employs outstanding therapists who are extremely dedicated to their patients; and I personally feel like I have greater impact in promoting the profession at large. Certainly, I miss the hands-on contact with seniors on occasion. But when I go to our client sites, I always have a positive attitude and am excited to talk to the patients and get that face-to-face interaction that I so enjoyed.
During this PT Month, I reflect on the reasons I became a physical therapist, and ask you to do the same. I am thankful to work for a company that embraces its employees, providing exceptional opportunities for career growth and continuing education.
