Blog 25

*I do not have a log of hours at the moment, as I have not asked for them printed out. My total count as of now is approximately 85 hours. Casa Colina has a policy that requires volunteers to work until a minimum of 6 months and 100 hours of service has been completed. I should have these hours done within a month's time.*
UPDATED: May 14, 9:30 PM
 Service Learning Hours

Working with Casa Colina's Sports Medicine section. I am responsible for keeping the facility equipment clean from things like wiping down mats to disposing of used towels. I also stand by to provide any help the physical therapists of their aides may need. This includes filing and copying paperwork, setting up a patient's room, or providing an extra hand to the PT's or aides in performing exercise on their patients. David Salaiz is one of the major physical therapists in the section of the facility. His number is (909-596-7733, EXT 3067).

My time at Casa Colina has helped me to experience what it is to be a physical therapist. It has given me a rare opportunity to observe the duties of therapists. The therapists themselves were helpful: they had allowed me to borrow therapeutic texts for research, taught me a few things about P.T, and ultimately encouraged my pursuit of physical therapy by giving me advice and what to expect from being a therapist.

Being in the environment of Casa Colina has stressed my seriousness of injuries. Seeing the conditions of some patients had been somewhat frightening. It really showed how much I took for granted: Here I was, not minding nutrition and proper warmups as suggested by the therapists, while the patients themselves depended on these methods. I felt that by taking in the advice from the therapists as well as the patients, I may learn what it takes to "prevent injury and prolong athletic life." All three of my EQ's answers had been supported by the employees at Casa Colina.

Blog 2 (Edit)

1) I chose to interview two physical therapy patients. Both were family, the first being my grandma with a torn meniscus, and my uncle with a broken fibula. I chose to interview my grandma because of her knee injury and my fascination with the knee, being that it is a vital joint in almost all activities. I had hoped an interview with my grandma would come handy in understanding the knee. She did not really know professional terms, but had given me contacts with pro therapists and notes from her several therapists. As for my uncle, I wanted to get someone who, like me, had recently (within a few years) started running and our anatomies would be similar. Interviewing him gave me insight on the effects of healing through an athlete's perspective, since healing is generally quicker for those in shape.

2) For my grandma:
* "What are some of the things you've learned about yourself (Knee anatomy, etc) through your therapy?"
* "How important did you think this was for you? Would you say this is an important profession to study?"
For my uncle:
* "Did they explain the term and the importance of your exercises and how they worked with your body?"
* "How important did you think your therapy was?"
* "What have you learned through your experience in therapy?"
* "I consider myself a recreational runner. However, I honestly don't think I am not very up to date with anatomy as I probably should be, considering the pains from running and my tendency to go out for random runs. Do you think Physical Therapy/Sports Med. would be a sufficient topic to devote my senior year to, considering the fact that I wish to stay active?"
* "Regarding the above question, do you think it would be wise for anyone, even people who don't enjoy a whole lot of exercise, to understand anatomy and injuries before they do any kind of exercise?"

Blog 2

a) I am going to be interviewing Brian Chavarin, who happens to be my step dad's cousin. I hope to interview him because of the fact that he is closer to the family and I know that he would be happy to answer any questions as best he can.
b) * "When did you decide you would stay in Physical Therapy?"
* "How does it affect the way you live now (exercising, healthy living, etc)?"
* "How happy are to say you are a Physical Therapist?"
* "What was the hardest thing you had to overcome in order to become a Physical Therapist?"
* "What was the worst day at your 'job' like?"