Physicalist Personal Statement

While there are many things that distinguish people from one another, such as politics and religion, there is one common characteristic that we indisputably all share: our dependence on movement. Movement brings us together and enables our world to function. Every day, billions of people depend on their ability to move in order to do the most demanding endeavors, as well as common, simple tasks such as cooking and cleaning. For this reason, the loss of mobility and movement, which often accompanies injury or disease, can feel debilitating and has the potential to challenge a person’s identity. While it is easy to forget the simple luxuries that come with mobility, it is hard to ignore the physical challenges posed by disease and illness. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science; however, I decided to change career paths because I realized that as a physical therapist, I could …show more content…
As a passenger in a high-speed car accident, I fractured my femur and was confronted with a long and unexpected journey to recovery. Overnight, I had become dependent on others as a result of my immobility. However, with every visit, my physical therapist helped me regain my strength and independence. Similar to my personal experience, I have had the pleasure of observing dedicated physical therapists who have transformed their patients’ lives. At Bodyworx Physical Therapy, I watched Dr. Doug Bonnesen assist a patient who had experienced life-long pain, immobility, and nearly paralysis as the result of severe cervical stenosis. After undergoing surgery and physical therapy, she was virtually pain-free and was able to play tennis, her favorite sport, again. As an aspiring physical therapist, I am dedicated to the mission of optimizing movement because I have experienced the potential it has in transforming