How did you get into physiotherapy?
When I was younger I played a lot of sport and as a result I got a lot of injuries so I made frequent visits to the physio. I knew I wanted to a job where I could help people but I didn't want to be stuck behind a desk and being a physio is the perfect solution - I'm out and about meeting people in the community.
So what do you do on a day to day basis?
I meet with therapists who refer people to TAD and talk about their needs. Then I meet with the volunteers here and we try to come up with a solution to the person's problem. I also do all the assessments on the Freedom Wheels programme which makes custom bikes for children with disabilities so they can learn to ride.
What are you looking for when you assess the kids for bikes?
Well I read through their application for a bike and then generally invite them in for assessment. Then I look at their physical requirements, see how their body moves and judge what support they need on the bike. This is more important for some children than others. I also discuss the other aspects required for the bike to be a success. For instance, if they need supervision, will there be someone to support them at home and do they have a safe place to ride? Its amazing how many children can ride - a disability is not always a barrier to riding a bike.
Whats the best bit of the job?
Without a doubt its seeing the smiles on the children's faces when they ride for the first time. They go almost instantly from never having been on a bike to cycling by themselves or with some support. Seeing how happy that makes them is amazing.
Does any particular client stick in mind?
There are so many amazing stories and families - its hard to choose. We did have a family recently who were really inspiring. They were two brothers with a rare genetic condition which resulted in developmental delay. Their mother was really amazing, she interacted with both boys so well and in such an understanding and caring way. It took Finlay, the older boy, a while to get used to the idea of riding a bike - he was very anxious with it at first. He started out with lots of support add-ons to the bike and then evenutally he became more able and confident and the supports could be taken off. Finlay's passion for riding started to grow and so did he - so his parents decided to get him a bigger Freedom Wheels bike. What was great was his younger brother Max could have Finlay's old bike because the bikes adapt so flexibly and this really kept the costs down for the family and gave them an activity they could enjoy together as a family. You can read more about this story in the latest TAD Journal.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope we can extend the Freedom Wheels model throughout Australia. We are making a start and hopefully soon chidlren with disabilities will be able to ride a Freedom Wheels bike no matter where they live.
0 comments:
Post a Comment