Physiotherapy is the opportunity to change a person’s life by providing the best all round physical and mental rehabilitation help.  My interest in physiotherapy began when my dad sustained a serious ACL/PCL injury playing rugby.  I saw how his injury affected him physically and mentally and was amazed how the post operation care he received focused not only on his physical injuries but mental wellbeing, offering him the opportunity to recover enough to return to rugby as a highly qualified coach and still be able to keep his fitness by changing crossfit.  I want to be able to make a difference to someone’s life, learn how to reintroduce movement to give a person the best chance of leading a fulfilling life.  I am interested in the rehabilitation of injuries and regaining the loss of movement at all levels, identifying ways to prevent, reduce and repair injuries in all ages and abilities.  

I am a person who prioritises caring for individuals and have recently completed a M10 Mission in a very poor area of Mexico.  We fundraised for the trip and spent 10 days serving and caring for old and young who had found themselves in a variety of circumstances, providing them with essential food, care and our time.  The trip culminated with building and furnishing a house for a homeless family.  The core personality traits of valuing and caring for others are already embedded in my life and can be successfully displayed and contribute to my passion in physiotherapy.

Studying PE, Health & Social and Psychology has built a strong understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body which has fueled my interest in the fundamentals of physiotherapy.  I have developed an understanding of the respiratory system which has sparked an interest in aiding those who have difficulty with completing everyday tasks, identifying gentle exercise to manage and reduce the symptoms or assessing breathing patterns.  In PE I have studied the skeletal system, where I have developed an understanding of different aspects of physiotherapy around the human anatomy.  Studying the human brain and biological factors in Psychology I have developed analysis and research skills.  I have the ability to interpret information while identifying its reliability.  Further I have developed an ability to create an argument with positive and negative factors which is a core skill in the preparation for the study of physiotherapy.  Being able to work cohesively with other healthcare professionals is essential in determining the condition of the patient through primary assessments.  

I undertook work experience with a team of physiotherapists at a private practice.  I observed initial reviews and assessments, discussing diagnosis and treatment and leading the general fitness classes.  The work covered a variety of issues caused by sport, age, accident and mental health.  I also regularly help the physio at the local Rugby Club.

Being involved in sport from a young age I have experienced physiotherapy first hand.  Swimming competitively for 7 years, training 20+ hours in the pool and gym required great levels of discipline and exposed me to injuries, where I had my own physiotherapy after sustaining a shoulder injury during a Butterfly race.  I coach U10’s Rugby and play U18’s Rugby at Club, County and Regional level where I have had the opportunity to demonstrate a number of skills.  Whilst playing, the ability to stay calm and focused and lead a team led to me being chosen as captain of the Northumberland County Team twice.  Playing at Regional level has given me the opportunity to play against more established teams such as Sale Sharks and Loughborough Lightning, where I was introduced to aspects of sports physiotherapy, we were shown injury prevention techniques and how taping or specific movement can aid recovery from injury.  Whilst coaching I have demonstrated my ability to adapt my coaching technique to the individual and change plans based on the needs of the players.