Many United States veterans have suffered from the opioid crisis within the last decade, specifically those from California who served from the years of 2010 to 2019. While, these opioids that are commonly known to be prescription medications such as pain killers they are often abused. As they are only meant to be used after surgeries or after serious injuries for specifically short term use. The prolonged use can lead to opioid abuse disorders that can lead to life threatening issues such as overdose, death, and mental health issues. Due to the lack of education as these opioids are only to be used for short amounts of time commonly between 4 to 6 weeks in comparison to these veterans who are using them for months at a time if not longer, they often become hooked and create unhealthy addiction. Another contribution to opioids being misused is due to the fact that since the job of active duty members is to protect and put their lives on the line; these actions often lead to injuries. At times this leads many military members to resort to the use of opioids, as they dull their pain quickly and they are able to continue to perform their jobs. As well as the lack of accessibility to medical centers and physicians to treat their acute injuries. With the ability to manage pain on the battlefield many veterans began to develop mental health issues such as substance abuse and depression due to the constant abuse of opioids. While the government has begun to implement programs for these veterans to seek help the issue is still there and many veterans are still suffering from this opioid crisis As a volunteer and student who had the opportunity to shadow physical therapist I was able to see how this crisis had affected people and still is affecting people. Learning how many older veterans were prescribed opioid pain killers over the years was very eye opening as many felt that was the only way to cure their chronic pain. Although having the opportunity to assist physical therapist and stand alongside them as these veterans began to see improvement in their chronic pain was one of the most rewarding experiences. As a soon to be physical therapy student I hope to continue to see a change with the opioid crisis as it has taken away from so many veterans. With that, I hope to advocate for those who have struggled with the opioid crisis and work alongside veterans to be part of the change to improve their quality of life they need and deserve.

Since I could remember I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field although I never know exactly what. I believe like most children and young adults sports had an influence on the professions I had interest in such as physical therapy or athletic training It wasn’t until the age of 13 when I found out I had scoliosis and from there I had to attend physical therapy to hopefully reduce the curvature in my spine. Through this period of my adolescence it was very challenging to navigate as it was new to me and I had little to no understanding of what was wrong with me. I remember attending physical therapy appointments and not understanding why I had to go. It made me feel so out of place especially when I would go to school wearing a big bulky brace. While this time in my life was very difficult to understand and navigate with no one to relate to I pushed through it and was able to improve for my own health.While I always felt all this information was thrown at me but never received answers it was still an experience I will cherish forever. It allowed me to reflect and realize I want to be the advocate for young women and men who go through similar challenges that I went through at a young age. I would like to be the person to reassure and push my patients to the best ability that I can. With that, later on when I began college I had the privilege to move to the Central Valley to obtain my bachelors degree. With this opportunity I was able to shadow and work along side physical therapist and physical therapist assistant at a few different clinics. Overtime I began seeing a pattern with the patient’s that would seek help for pain management. As the Central Valley has an enormous population of Latinos working in fields and overall working high demand labor jobs I was able to acknowledge the lack of education and resources so many families experienced especially with health care. Seeing this first hand allowed me to realize how much I wanted to help my own community and become the educator they need. I believe physical therapy will allow me to pursue those dreams and not only help my community but be the advocate I wish I had when I was 12.