Wednesday, November 5, 2008

In Her Own Words!

Hello DPT Community,

Recently, a DPT student underwent surgery to alleviate pain she was having. I asked her to share her story so you could learn from her experiences. Here is her story, in her own words:

When I 22 years old and just started PT school, I was working as a PT tech at a local nursing home. One day I was instructed to go get a patient from their room for an evaluation. When I walked in the room the patient was sitting on the bed and I had to transfer him to his wheelchair to take him to the PT room. I asked his wife who was smaller than I am if she is able to transfer him to the wheelchair by herself and she replied. “Yes and my daughter helps a little.” Her daughter looked roughly 9 years old and I thought surely I can transfer him to the wheelchair myself. I am young and have been a college athlete. I was successful with transferring the patient and thought later that day my back felt a bit stiff. I woke up the next morning and could barely make it out of bed for class. I thought okay I have had aches and pains before from playing sports. I will just give it time and it will go away. Six weeks later it hadn’t gone away and it was still feeling very uncomfortable to sit or move. I went to a neurologist and found out that I have a bulging disk at level L4-L5 and a ruptured disk at level L5-S1. I was instructed to do physical therapy which I was doing with my professor’s help. The physical therapy helped my symptoms for about 14 months. I called my doctor and told him that my pain was coming back and physical therapy is just not helping anymore. He allowed me 3 epidural steroid injections. The first 2 lasted approximately 4-6 weeks. The 3rd injection lasted about 4 months. I woke up one morning and rolled over to get out of bed and bam I felt this bad pain in my back and started the same symptoms all over again. I thought okay I will just do my exercises and see if that helps and some Advil or ibuprofen. None of this helped at all and I was in so much pain I couldn’t continue to do my exercises. I found positions that would relieve my pain. I was leaning over to the left to unload that side while sitting and then began to limp because the radiating pain the progressed further and further down my leg each week. After 5 weeks of pain I finally called the doctor and said I have to see you ASAP. My appointment was scheduled one week away and I would just have to take the pain until then. As the pain just kept getting worse and worse and on the day before I was to see the doctor and get another MRI it was unbearable. I was in the most unbelievable amount of pain I had to leave class early and two of my professors had to drive me home. I thought if I can go home and find a comfortable position that I can make it to tomorrow without going to the ER like my professors had suggested. I got home and the pain was worse lying down and I could not find any position that relieved my pain even the slightest bit. I ended up going to the ER that night for pain medicine that didn’t even touch the pain but just made me tired instead. The following day I had the MRI done and saw the doctor right after that. After a short conversation he decided I was having surgery. I asked him when does he want to do the surgery and he said, “let’s do it tomorrow.” I thought “oh my gosh” things are just moving too fast but I knew that there was a big chance of being relieved of my pain immediately after surgery. I expected this because I had tried every conservative treatment that they wanted before resulting in surgery. He performed a hemilaminectomy with a microdiscectomy and when I woke up I was pain free. It was an outpatient surgery and I was required to walk, urinate, and be able to eat and drink and keep it down. During my walk I asked the nurse if we could walk further since I hadn’t walked in 6 weeks without pain. My surgery was on a Wednesday and I went home on Wednesday. The following Monday I was able to return back to school. It was the best I have felt in 2 years. Some slight discomfort was tolerable compared to the intense pain I was in before. I would recommend this surgery to anyone that has tried all options of conservative treatment. It’s has been 2 weeks later and I am doing great!

Baseball, Health Care and Statistics!

Hey DPT Community!

Who would have thought that someone would have rolled three of my loves into one thing to read? Baseball, Statistics and Health Care! This New York Times article look at how we can improve the health care system in the USA!

slesh

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Amazing Technology!

OK DPT Community!

This is a much watch! Open this 60 minutes video and watch it. If this technology continues to develop, you will be on the edge of an amazing revolution in rehabilitation. I remember 25 years ago working with patients who had suffered spinal cord injuries giving them a lesson in the pathomechanics of their injury. They would always ask if the spinal cord would just regrow? Of course, my answer was the wires have been cut and there is no way for the brain to communicate with the body. But NOW THERE IS!

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

PTJ -- Journal announcement

PTJ PODCAST ALERT!

ELECTION 2008 AND BEYOND: Proposed Health Care Plans; Future of Disability
Research

RELEASE DATE: October 28, 2008

WHERE: http://www.ptjournal.org/cgi/content/full/88/10/DC2

WHO: Anthony Delitto, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Chair, and Alan Jette, PT, PhD,
FAPTA, Member, PTJ Steering Committee; and Justin Moore, PT, DPT, APTA
Director of Federal Government Affairs. Moderator: Rebecca Craik, PT, PhD,
FAPTA, Editor in Chief.

Part 1 - The Presidential Candidates' Health Care Proposals

Delitto, Jette, and Moore provide summary and analysis of the health care
plans proposed by Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. Be informed when
you cast your ballot on November 4. Running time: 17:43 (8,318 KB)

Part 2 - Beyond Election 2008: Disability Research

Regardless of who is in the White House following the November 4th
election, what does the future hold for disability research in the United
States? Running time: 22:19 (10,473 KB)

Note: PTJ and APTA do not endorse, support, or take a position on the
candidates or their health care platforms.

For more PTJ podcasts--including audio abstracts, discussions, interviews,
and clinical summaries--visit http://www.ptjournal.org/misc/podcasts.dtl.
Questions? Contact PTJ's managing editor at janreynolds@apta.org.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Intriguing Reading...

SBU DPT Community,

I saw this story online at cnn.com and couldn't help but watch it. It had so many elements that grabbed my attention, but most notably: an athlete and spinal cord injury. Those who know me best, know that these are my two chief areas of interest as a physical therapy clinician. Indeed, my first two years out of PT school at Mizzou was spent in long term rehabilitation working with patients who suffered catastrophic spinal cord injuries. Lastly and most sadly, this young athlete decided to take his own life because he could not deal with life any longer. Those who are also close to me, know this issue also is very near to me. I hope that we as physical therapy professionals and as servants of Christ, can help all people to appreciate that life is worth living.

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Ronald McDonald House

SBU DPT Community Serves Those in Need!

Five DPT students, Ashley, Jimmie, Tiffany, Clara and Brittney, visited the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks to bring a warm, home cooked meal to those living there. With donations from the rest of the physical therapy student body at SBU as well as the faculty and staff, we were able to make homemade pizzas for the 23 people currently staying at RMHC. The people served were all families of children requiring extended hospital stays. Most of those served were new mothers and fathers. Their newborn babies were staying just across the street in the NICU. Everyone served was very grateful for the warm meal and just made fresh baked cookies.

Thank you for all of your help, without the volunteers and the donations, we would not have been able to serve these people.

Brittney

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Injuries, Research, Evidence and Promotions

Hey DPT Community,

Here is a great piece on a promotions effort from the APTA tying together an injury issue in PT (ACL), the prevalence of the problem (particularly with female soccer players), a discussion of the research leading to evidence-based conclusions. The handout incorporates the evidence and is an easy to follow program in which, according to the evidence will significantly reduce the onset of this injury for female athletes.

This is exactly the type of integrated effort linking the evidence with identified problems and providing solutions! Read it carefully and see what you think!

slesh

Friday, September 19, 2008

More on Jo-Jo

DPT Community,

Thanks for those of you who are praying for Jordan (Jo-Jo) Farris. She is an amazing young lady inspiring those around her in the face of tragedy. The local television station did a piece on her. Please take a look and work to inform yourself on this disease process. Your learning means so much more when there is context to the pathology. But beyond that, keep praying for this brave daughter of God!

slesh

Friday, September 5, 2008

Prayers for Jo-Jo

Hello DPT Community,

I must first start out by saying since I rec'd this note from a dear friend of mine, I just can't stop crying. Jo-Jo (Jordan) is the 18 year old daughter of a colleague, former co-worker, mentor, and friend. He and his wife, have two beautiful children, and this is her story.

Please take a moment pray for her and her wonderful family.

slesh

Thursday, August 28, 2008

HealthCare Bills

Hey SBU DPT Bloggers,

So much is spoken today of the cost of healthcare and with the upcoming Presidential election, much more political banter and rhetoric will hit the headlines and Internet websites. It seems Americans, prefer their politics in chunks of four. Every four years they tolerate the hysteria. Every four years they tolerate the hype. Every four years they listen to a new slate of politicians willing to make promises to change your life for the better. For us, in the healthcare profession, we are doubly concerned. Both our individual health plan and our profession may be impacted by a Presidential candidate's vision of the future. As our society ages, we are concerned about things like wellness, cost of services, and access to skilled and competent providers. Do you know where the candidates McCain (R) and Obama (D) stand on healthcare. How will it impact your health plan? How will it impact your wellness? How will it impact your livelihood?

I came across an interesting article about how the extreme cost of healthcare today and the massive gaps in the health insurance coverage can leave you in tremendous debt. Take a look at this CNN.com article by Elizabeth Cohen "Five mistakes that will land you in medical debt." Are you prepared?

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Update on Disc Replacement Surgery

Hello DPT Bloggers,

Here is an update on the post I recently did on Chris Duncan, St. Louis Cardinal Baseball player, who underwent a cervical disc replacement surgery instead of a fusion procedure which is much more common. This article talks about his immediate results. Time will only tell of this first of its kind surgery on a professional athlete to determine its effectiveness.

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Prosthetic Disc Replacement

Hello DPT Bloggers,

In what is becoming a trend in my writings of late, I found another story of an injury sustained to an athlete and this one is having a unique procedure. You will find in your PT career that many, or even most of your patients, that you treat will have back or neck injuries.This St. Louis Cardinal, however, may have his professional baseball career in jeopardy as they are going to surgically manage a cervical disc problem with the implantation of a prosthetic disc. OK! OK? I am intrigued and wait to hear more about this. Certainly I have read a great deal on disc issues of the spine, but not this procedure, and certainly not one on a person so young.

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Doing It All!

Hello DPT Bloggers,

So, just when you think you haven't seen it all, and just when you think that life couldn't get any worse, I challenge you to read this article and watch this video on a young many who refuses to let cancer and the amputation of his leg get him down!

Adam can Do It All! We must always remember that God gives us the power to be thankful!

Together with you in His service.

slesh

More Injuries in the News

Hey DPT Bloggers,

You may not have remembered this event back in the spring when Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals lined a ball off the face of San Diego Padre pitcher Chris Young, but here is a story of recovery from the terrible event. As I was reading it, I could not help but think of the PT evaluation process. When you read the article, can you determine what is wrong by the symptoms that the pitcher describes?

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Politics & Physical Therapy

Hello DPT Bloggers,

For those of you who are not astute to the world of politics, a very interesting series of events happened over that past couple of weeks that directly impacts you as a future professional and the entire Medicare System. This system, of course, is part of the landmark legislation passed in 1965 that extended government funded health care to all people over the age of 65 and to those who are disabled. The "pay as you go" funding system comes from a tax placed on the paychecks of current workers and is matched by employers.

You may know that there has been a proposed cap on medicare services, one for Occupational Therapy, and a second combined cap for Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy. In these rule changes a few other items are being included such as cuts in Physician fee structure. For the past decade, the APTA has been fighting the implementation of these rules as it would directly impact the ability to provide services to clients. A cap means a limitation in terms of dollars paid, but that means by default a limitations of services provided. A series of extensions or exceptions have been passed by Congress to delay the implementation.

July 1, 2008 was a watermark date in the history of these rule changes. The extensions were set to expire. On June 24, 2008, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill (HR 6331 - the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act) to delay the process yet another time. The vote was 355-49 which in a sense was a fast track vote to get the process moving quickly and on to the other Congressional chamber. 

The Senate however took another position. Tire of delaying these rules. They decided it was time to fish or cut bait. The process was not to be steamrolled through the upper chamber even though the impending deadline was approaching. On June 26, 2008, Sen. Reid tried to force a vote by cloture which would end debate. The 3/5 vote needed to close debate was not obtained. It looked like the therapy caps would be implemented finally. No more delays. And indeed July 1, 2008 did arrive and the therapy caps and fee limitations were implemented. No more laws to provide exemptions.

Sometimes, life is the best teacher if you just take the time to watch and learn. Not giving up, Sen. Reid continued to work on stopping the debate and force a vote. July 9, 2008 it happened. With a vote of 69-30 the cloture happened closing debate. Many things did happen quickly on HR 6331 that day, but uniquely the Senate left the bill alone and kept it free from amendments. So, together the House and Senate sent the legislation to the White House to be enacted into law on July 10, 2008.

The story does not end there, however. In our country, to become law, bills passed by the House and Senate must be signed by the President. President Bush vetoed the bill on July 15, 2008. It looked like the delaying action would fail. The caps that had been in effect for two weeks would continue. The bill was sent back to the House and the Senate, who promptly and simultaneously (on the same day as the Presidential veto!) over road the veto with the required 2/3 vote! The House vote was 383 - 41 and the Senate vote was 70 26. The bill became law and the therapy caps were once again delayed until December 31, 2009.

Many interesting things happened in this most recent day time drama from Capitol Hill and as future physical therapy professionals, you should be alert and supportive of these legislative efforts. To inform yourself, please read all the APTA publishes on the therapy caps and on Medicare. When called upon, act! Call your Congressman. Write letters to your Senators.

As a student of history, I was amazed at how fast the process happened! I was amazed that we saw overwhelming bipartisan support in the House. I was amazed to see cloture first fail and then succeed. The Senate is notorious for killing bills on the floor with debate (filibuster). Then we got to see the power of the Presidential veto, but more amazingly, and on the same day, in both houses, we saw Democrats and Republicans unite to send an overwhelming message to a lame-duck President about who is really in charge!?!? Possibly too, no Congressman or Senator who is up for election this year wants to be on record for voting for something that cuts Medicare benefits 

Through it all, the billing for Medicare remains a complicated issue that has not been solved, only delayed. Someday, we must come to a real and permanent solution to this issue!

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Bad Break!

SBU DPT Bloggers,

For those of you interested in sports medicine and enjoy watching the pursuits of athletes on the field, here is a bit of a medical story for you to follow. Abby Wambach, a true star in the soccer sports world, fractured her leg in the final match leading up to the Olympics. After a collision on the field, they had to carry her in a stretcher off the field and to a local hospital. Both the tibia and fibula have been reported broken and they are speaking now of a complex surgery, titanium rods, and a long road to recovery.

My thoughts and prayers are with her for a speedy recovery.

slesh

Monday, June 23, 2008

Summer Routine?!?!

Hey SBU DPT Bloggers,

It has been a month since I've logged in and shared some thoughts. I've been on a vacation from work and then went to San Antonio for the APTA national meeting. Just now getting back into the swing of things catching up on all the work that has piled on my desk. This summer also brings a new routine for the entire DPT community at SBU. Many faculty are off enjoying their summer with their families. Some faculty are here on campus catching up on various projects. The Class of 2009 and 2010 are out on clinical rotations working to integrate theory and application into a greater context and understanding of physical therapy. The Class of 2008 is now out away from SBU establishing a study routine to successfully pass the NPTE boards. Some have already been successful and are starting new jobs. Most are still preparing. When you say your prayers, please keep them all in your thoughts. Pray for calmness. Pray for preparation. Pray for them.

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Class of 2008

Hello DPT Bloggers,

It was with great honor that the faculty of the SBU Department of Physical Therapy donned their robes, hoods, and tams and sat off stage while the DPT Class of 2oo8 walked to receive both a doctoral hood and a diploma. On a beautiful day that the Lord gave us, twenty seven new physical therapists joined the profession. Twenty seven new soldiers of Christ entered the world as servant leaders to make a difference in the lives of those in need. This class will always be remembered as the first DPT class @ SBU, but more so to me, this class will be remembered as the group that went the extra mile of service. We are proud of you and wish you all the best.

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Health Care Crisis?

Hello DPT Bloggers,

With this year being a Presidential election, many issues are brought to the forefront. Health Care is one of them. One that should greatly interest you as this is your future not only for you as an individual receiving services within the system, but also for you as a professional working within the system. The banging of the legislative gavel and a stroke of the Presidential pen can directly impact your ability to both get health care and earn a living. Time to pay attention and get involved when and where you can. I came across this article today about saving the Health Care system, but wonder if we are asking the right questions or is it simply Presidential rhetoric? Here is the more information forwarded by each candidate for President on how they would fix the system and impact your ability to earn a living: Hillary Clinton (D), Barack Obama (D), John McCain (R). Do you know what they stand for?

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Monday, April 28, 2008

Referral for Profit Action

Hey DPT Bloggers, referral for profit is under fire in Missouri. We have a unique provision in the Physician's practice act that prevents doctors from referring patients for physical therapy and earning a profit off of it. As you can appreciate, that is bad for physical therapy as we lose the objectiveness of the referral and the true need for services. It seems that HB 2068 up in Jefferson City was passed by the House as a measure to clean up the current PT practice act, however, when it went to conference committee to work on language between the House and Senate, some Senators tried to amend the bill and add language that would allow physical therapists to work for physicians and thus generate revenue and profit for the referring doctors. This is unacceptable for the future of the profession and is a step backwards for us as professionals. I called my Senator and my Representative and emailed a few other contacts I have on Capitol Hill to do my part as a professional to save the profession, or at least how the profession operates in Missouri. I hope you do the same!

Together with you in His Service,

slesh

Monday, April 21, 2008

CSM 2009

Hello DPT Bloggers,

I just returned from a trip to Washington DC where I along with many of the other SPC (Section Program Chairs) began the task of planning for CSM 2009 which will be held in Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay, home of the famous Shark Reef, will be host to over 7000 physical therapy professionals coming to learn, network and develop themselves as professionals. The dates will be Feb 9 - 12, 2009. I hope that you will put these dates on your calendar and consider going. Keep checking the Blog for updated information on this great event!

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Monday, April 14, 2008

What You Missed in Branson

Wow Bloggers! What a great time we had at the Branson Landing for the Missouri Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association State Meeting. Despite the devastating flooding in the area, a great opportunity for learning and professional interaction was promoted in the Hilton Convention Center. The food was tremendous, particularly the luncheon at the business meeting on Saturday, and I had a rather tasty omelet Saturday morning from room service. I saw many colleagues and peers from Rockhurst University and Ozark Technical Community college both of which brought students down to grow and develop as professionals. Ironically, the student session on Saturday evening was mostly filled by Rockhurst students, who then elected themselves to state office. Two of our students were at the student function and one even won $50 for showing up. If you went, I thank you for your efforts, your integrity and your professionalism. Tim Lyons, current Treasurer and APTA liaison to the Missouri Chapter, spoke at the luncheon on Saturday. He talked about some leadership imperatives that the APTA is promoting as well as grass roots marketing efforts. I found it interesting and a bit disappointing that he reported that only 34% of licensed PT professionals across the country are members of the professional association. I can't think of any good reason for me not to be a member. Your membership, support and professional participation is an obligation and part of what it means to be a professional. I hope and pray that at some point in time each of you will also come to a realization that there is no good reason for you not to be a member as well.

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Friday, April 4, 2008

Ronald McDonald House

Hey DPT Bloggers, I mad a mad dash from my office to Wal-Mart just the other day to make some purchases that I had forgotten about. I bought several bags of Mozzarella cheese, a variety of bottle soft drinks and some of the new Cheerio brand snack mix. Hurrying back to the office, I caught the student I was looking for as she was piling her stuff into her car from a hard days work on campus. Giving her the food stuffs, I told her I was proud of what her and her peers were doing as they went about their business. Where were they heading? To the Ronald McDonald House of course! It seems this group of SBU DPT students has been going once a month to this charity organization and cooking dinner for those parents and families using the facilities. The menu for the weekend was home made pizza! Again, I can't be more proud of the students that give of themselves and their time to serve others. Keep up the great work!

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Rain... Rain... Rain

I hope that each of you are enjoying your time away on Spring Break. Here at home, we are experiencing the worst rain storms in many years. Reports have us approaching a record rainfall for the month of March. There is much flooding and destruction across southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Keep us in your prayers and thoughts and if you are driving back, please be careful!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Winning a Championship!

Wow! What a game! The Bolivar Lady Liberator Basketball team came out rolling in the first quarter only to fall apart in the second and third quarter of the 4-A Missouri State High School Championship game. But a determined effort in the fourth quarter, a stingy press defense, a dramatic last second shot, and a lot of overtime anxiety yielded a well earned victory giving the local high school team its first championship since 1982. I wonder if the championship game had been easy would it mean the same? Here these young ladies who had a tremendous season, had to fight and claw their way back into contention in a game they were supposed to win, and then work hard together as a team to seal the deal. I bet to them this victory meant more than a simple cake walk. Life is like that. The things worth having. The things worth holding on to. The things that are special are the ones that you have to work hard for. They don't come easy. They don't come cheap. It is the journey that makes the trip memorable, not the final destination. Indeed, lessons in life are where you find them. Congratulations to the Bolivar Lady Liberators for their win and for teaching us a lesson.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Culture of Cheating!

Well Physical Therapy Bloggers, I am on the road again! This time to Columbia, MO where I am attending the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown Basketball Championships. The Bolivar Lady Liberators have made it to the championship game and I will post a blog after I witness the results on Saturday.

I saw something on the Internet today, of which I have talked to you about before: A Culture of Cheating! Here is a read that you need to do, and reflect upon. The once great Marion Jones turned herself in today to start her prison sentence. She is not doing time for the illegal steroids that she took, but rather the fact that she lied under oath about it. Jones is part of the culture of cheating. Part of the society that says it is OK to lie. Part of the society that says it is OK to cheat. Part of the society that says it is OK to misrepresent yourself. I must admit I marveled at Jones as she won her many medals and accolades on the track. I was proud to say I was an American and proud that she represented our country. Now, what do we have? Some medals that have been reclaimed by the Olympic Committee. Official records that have been banished from the books. A once proud athlete spending time behind bars. A small child who will be separated from her mother for six months. In the end is it all worth it?

slesh

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Taking the Plunge

I have been asked now for the second year in a row by a member or two of the SBU DPT contingent taking the plunge to pledge in support of the Special Olympics. I am both honored and happy to give to this wonderful cause. I think sometimes it is difficult for us as individuals to ask others to give money, but we must remember if we don't ask, then people certainly won't give. Giving of ourselves is a professional trait I hope pray that you will all aspire to! And we also must remember that the Good Lord works in many ways. People can give in many ways. They can give of their time. They can support in prayer. And many like to give money to support others doing good works. So, I am honored to give and I am proud that SBU was once again represented at the Lake taking the Polar Bear Plunge in support of the Missouri Special Olympics. It seems that the "bowling pin" theme was well received and earned the team from SBU a third place finish! If you are not aware of this cause, please look at Mandy's website.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Lobbying in Jefferson City

Entering the chartered coach behind the Wheeler building on SBU campus, sixty DPT students joined the world of political activism for the physical therapy profession. Students running for name tags and coffee and iPods at the last minute was the norm as the bus readied to leave. Once we arrived on the Capitol grounds, a quick unloading was immediately followed by visits to legislator's offices. Representative Mike Parsons (R-133) from Bolvar, MO introduced the SBU delegation from the floor of the house chambers. Pizza was eaten at lunch on the steps under the rotunda and the history and splendor of the Missouri Capitol was taken in by all. While the stairs were a challenge and many students discussed the growing fatigue, a meeting in Committee Hearing Room #4 led by Rep. Mike Parsons, Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-139), and Senator Delbert Scott (R-28) found a well deserved respite and educational lesson. Topics were discussed from protecting the physical therapy practice act, to participating in the political process, to the role of lobbyists in the political information chain, and ending with how quality staffers support the legislators. After a quick picture with Thomas Jefferson, as promised, the bus squeezed into a nook besides the Highland Dairy permitting access to tasty refreshments of the chocolate, vanilla, and cookie-dough variety. One student brought back a sugar cone topped with three scoops of a colored ice cream that matched her shirt.

I am most proud of how the SBU delegation represented the University, the Department, and the profession. I am looking forward to the bus arriving behind the Wheeler building once more in the Spring of 2009.

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Wheelchair User Rights

Hey PT Community,

As a professional physical therapist, I couldn't help but get upset when I saw this news story on NBC yesterday. Turns out the story is now posted online as is the video that is so disturbing. It seems that the police did not believe that this gentleman, who was under arrest, was really disabled and in a wheelchair for a reason. Please read the story and watch the video if you have a chance.

Together with you in His service,

slesh

Monday, February 11, 2008

The Long Ride Home...

Well SBU DPT community, I made it home safely from Nashville. I enjoyed the ride through TN, KY, IL and MO. Along the way I listened to CDs of C. S. Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia including Prince Caspian, The Voyages of the Dawn Treader, and parts of The Magician's Nephew. I found a great chapter that I want to play for my research class next year out of the first book in the series where Digory's uncle talks about the importance and ethics of his research to find the lost world of Atlantis. If you have never read (or heard) the series, it is a wonderful read. Disney will be releasing Prince Caspian this coming spring.

Now it is time to go back to work and for you the students to return to the classroom. Of course, the ice is falling from the sky, Bolivar schools are closed, and many parts of my body ache from the combination of lots of walking at CSM and long rides in the truck. Keep working hard in class and as always, please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Together with you in His service,

slesh

BTW... saw this story this a.m. online related to our current culture of lying, cheating and stealing. Seems that Kevin Hart wanted so bad to play college football that he lied to everyone, including the police to achieve his end. It is great to know and remember that as PT professionals, the two things that we have that separate us from all the rest of the contemporary culture include our skillful and accurate documentation and our integrity.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Food in Nashville...

Wow! As I am packing to head home to see my wife and kids, I can't help but think about the food that I witnessed and tasted her at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Being on the program committee that puts this event together, I had access to several meetings that provided a wonderful array of delicacies and delights. Across the property there were eateries from an Irish pub to a sports bar to Italian to steak to ice cream and even a Godiva chocolate shop. The Health Policy and Administration section, in which I chair, had a breakfast spread on Friday morning with eggs, country ham, a potato casserole and assorted pastries. Soups, salads, wraps, and pastas were the norm. I even had an excursion early in the week to the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville. The deserts were wonderful from huge chocolate chip cookies to dark chocolate brownies to a wonderful tiramisu.

As tradition has it, students are hosted by active professionals at these wonderfully tasty and filling events. Members from HPA sponsored (i.e. treated) students to these breakfasts and lunches and diners. Many PT students from Belmont, UT-Memphis, UT -Chattanooga, East Tennessee State and Tennessee State University were treated. I hosted four students from Virginia Commonwealth University to a wonderful dinner. I had hoped to host delegates from SBU, but only saw one in passing as she was putting up her poster and then I saw a second late on Saturday at one our our sessions on Landing a Job. I had heard rumors that more of you were around, but our paths did not cross. Sorry! Hope I get to treat you to this tradition at the next national meeting, perhaps Las Vegas 2009?

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Live to Laugh!

At CSM 2008 in Nashville, a new thing happened: A closing session that traversed all sections and all facets of physical therapy. Joanne Watchie, and her alter ego Crayola the Clown, took 500 conference goers through the stages of humor and laughter and encouraged all of us to laugh more and live longer. She presented a great deal of evidence to support her claim and worked us through some series of "exercises" to find our inner 5 year old! I think there is something here. Her advice is to find what humors you and then enjoy it for at least 30 minutes a day! Here is the link to a presentation she did at CSM 2006 in San Diego.

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Friday, February 8, 2008

Something Amazing by a New Graduate...

Hello SBU DPT,

I witnessed something that instilled great pride in me this evening. At the HPA business meeting, a young therapist named Sandy from New York City, stood up and articulated a vision for the profession, the disabled, and for society. With only a passion for what she believed, she introduced a motion that we adopt a position statement that declares all people with disabilities have the right to health care. This is more than a right to have a ramp (accommodation) in order to efficiently enter a physical therapy clinic for treatment (access), but rather that it is a right of all people with disabilities to have physical therapy to restore lost function, improve their standard of living, and level the playing field of life. The motion passed.

This is an element of a much greater debate in our society. Is health care a right? or is it a privilege? HPA hosted a session at CSM 2008 on Thursday discussing this topic. It was so full that we had to close the session and turn people away. With the upcoming election for President of the United States, this debate will only continue.

Most of all, on this evening, I was proud. I was proud that a recent graduate felt empowered to act to better society. I was proud that a young professional was passionate about the profession of physical therapy. Stay tuned. It appears that HPA will now work to champion this position statement and send it through channels to the APTA House of Delegates.

Together with you in His service!

slesh

Learning in Nashville

I arrived safely in Nashville on Monday and settled into a week a meetings as the Section Program Chair for the Section on Health Policy and Administration. In this role, I am lead the committee that plans all of the programming for the section at the Combined Sections Meeting. It keeps me very busy during the year, but it is also a very important role to fill for the profession. At this meeting we have topics being presented from the "right to health care" to "tapping the entrepreneurial spirit." Ultimately it will be a gathering of over 6000 physical therapy professionals coming together in Music City to learn, share, network, and grow as professionals.

What I did not expect were the devastating storms that came through on Tuesday. We were evacuated to safe areas twice during the evening as a supercell came directly over the Opryland hotel. It turns out it was the same supercell that caused havoc across the region and now appears to have claimed 50 lives. Included in the devastation was Union University in Jackson, TN, one of our sister schools. Please keep all of those people who lost their lives and their families and those who lost possessions in your thoughts and prayers.

Together with you in His service,

slesh