IT is now easier than ever to make sure you can get in to see Anna without the room being over crowded. Please use the booking page on the sports medicine website or this direct link, https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/
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In celebration of National Athletic Training Month I wanted to share some of my WHY behind what I do. Early in life I knew I wanted a career in something that would surround me with people and that I could do something to make a difference in their life, preferably medical related. In high school I was made aware of the career of athletic training and thought it sounded interesting. The more I did research and shadowing the more I knew I wanted to do so. I believe that there are so many life skills and lessons to be learned from participating in sports, along with the physical, mental, and social health increase. I was also very aware of the fact that for some students that is what motivates them to attend/apply themselves to school and could be a key to unlocking opportunities in their lives. I also saw friends of mine that went through great emotional and mental turmoil after a physical injury kept them on the sidelines. I wanted to be able to be a resources for specifically high school students and their families to help minimize the negatives of an injury on their whole being as well as be their on the journey back to "normal". I want to be able to help unlock a student athlete's fullest potential both on and off the court/field.
I see Athletic Training as an avenue to teach people about how their body works and how to take care of it for a lifetime. I know this means addressing their mental and emotional needs as well as physical ones because our health is like a 3 legged stool. The 3 legs are physical, mental/emotional, and social. If one of those legs is weak or broken then the stool will wobble or become unusable. Especially for young people, I may be there for their first injury and it may seem like their entire world is crashing in on them. I take it as my job to hold their hand (physically and figuratively) and lead them back to the light and some sort of normalcy. It may seem like a mundane injury to me but for them it could not just have physical pain but a loss of their identity. I see the athletic training room as a safe place to learn and grow both physically and as a person. Sometimes this is the one place student athletes feel safe opening up about what is bothering them as they know that even if I don't have answers or solutions we will work as a team to find some. Yes, my job includes a lot of odd and late hours that many people think I'm crazy for. It includes prevention of injury, nutrition advice, evaluation of injuries, rehabilitation of injuries, coordinating care between multiple healthcare providers, parents, coaches, and the athlete, being a safe listening ear, and being the biggest cheerleader. But I definitely wouldn't trade all the odd weather, crazy schedules, and paperwork for seeing some amazing young men and women mature into wise, caring, healthy young adults who have conquered many life challenges and continue to pursue their dreams. One of my biggest rewards is the tiny notes students or parents leave me about the role I played on their journey. It never fails that the days that I think I'm about to throw the towel in and look for a "more normal" job I am presented with a story, note, or text that reassures me of my "why". To all my former, current, and future athletes or patients, thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey. Know that you each have equally impacted my journey of life and I am thankful for you. |
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