Being Thankful

I work very hard, and I play very hard. I’m grateful for life.

And I live it – I believe life loves the liver of it.

I live it.

Maya Angelou

 

             As the holiday season approaches there are many things to be thankful for.  I am thankful for my wife, my daughter, my family and my friends.  I am thankful for my health and my ability to help people everyday.  Regardless if you celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, this time of year presents opportunities to spend time with friends, family, and loved ones.  As a physical therapist and human mechanic my patients constantly remind me to be grateful everyday… my encounters with each person usually consists of painful histories, complex injuries, and devastating changes in lifestyles.  I am blessed to have the ability to actively listen to people’s stories, to objectively change someone’s mobility, to assess and prescribe proper movements in order to return people to pain free function.  I have a job where I am welcomed into people’s lives … and I am given the chance to positively affect their lifestyles.

            I’ve had the opportunity to work with 4-week-old twin babies who were diagnosed with functional torticollis, and a 102-year-old patient who told me his only wish was to be able to attend his great grandchild’s wedding. I have worked with thousands of high school athletes who dream of being the next big superstar, and I have worked with many professional athletes whose drive is to get back to work so that they can keep inspiring the youth.  I have worked with many sick patients with terminal illnesses but yet they still find inspiration within themselves to keep trying, to keep moving.  I have helped many military and first responders to eliminate aches and pains from their daily routines or to recover from traumatic surgeries. I have worked with numerous weekend warriors who struggle with the battle to find a balance between work, family and recreation.  I am thankful for all of my patients, past, present and future.  They are part of who I am and who I want to be.  I am thankful that I have a job I love and that I have a support system that believes in me.  Happy Thanksgiving from Therapydia Portland and I hope you all have a safe and healthy end to 2014.