PT students Molly Alfermann, Tessa Campbell, Emily Levy, Kati Mayer, Rachel Swift and Leslie Taylor joined faculty member Jean Hiebert and students and faculty from the Rockhurst OT program on the service trip between summer and fall semesters.
For five days, the students worked closely with the patients in Gauyaquil, giving them the unique opportunity to put what they've been learning in class into action. Above all, the students experienced profound moments treating patients who might never have received the medical care they needed without the students' help.
"The experience for me was truly inspirational," said student Kati Mayer. "The patients that we saw were strong willed, courageous individuals who inspired me to be a better student and future therapist."
One such experience was when a group witnessed a bilateral amputee patient walking on her prosthetic for the first time. The woman had not been able to use her prosthetics because no one, prior to the students' arrival, was there to teach her how.
"She was brought to tears because she was able to stretch out her legs and did not have to sit in the wheelchair all day without walking," explained Emily Levy, who helped treat the woman. "By the end of the week she was using a walker during her treatment sessions. The trip was amazing and life changing. It definitely reinforced my dreams to become a PT."
Student Rachel Swift had a similar experience.
"The most exciting thing was that my group and I helped a 16-year-old girl named Angela walk for the first time with her prosthesis since having her lower leg amputated, " Swift said. "It was SO amazing to be there and experience that with her and her mom."
To see photos of their incredible journey, click on the photo album below:
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