Envisioning the life of my dreams after earning a doctorate in physical therapy elicits a vision of fulfillment, serenity, and purpose. Shifting away from the long hours and demanding responsibilities, my dream life paints a picture of balance and self-determination. I firmly believe that living on my own terms is essential to achieving true happiness and satisfaction. At the center of this dream is the establishment of my own training facility. This space would serve as an epicenter for physical therapy evaluations and rehabilitation, specifically tailored for athletes and patients. My passion for helping others achieve their physical goals fuels my desire to create an environment where healing and fitness are prioritized. In addition to traditional physical therapy, I would offer specialized personal training and group fitness classes, promoting a sense of community among my clients. To make this vision a reality, I would create a team of reliable professionals who share my passion for health and wellness. This would allow me to ensure that the facility operates smoothly while granting me the freedom to focus on what I love most—helping people. Empowering a skillful team would also enable me to enjoy the quality of life I desire. Traveling with my significant other, a top priority, would become a cherished reality. Exploring new places, cultures, and experiences together would offer us the opportunity to grow as individuals and partners. Of course, my dream life would not be complete without my loyal companion, a mini golden doodle. My dream puppy, this affectionate fur baby, combines playfulness with a laid-back demeanor. Having my furry friend by my side would enhance my sense of joy and comfort, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere at home. Equally meaningful in my vision is the ability to support my family. Taking care of my mother and brother would be another of my obligations. Ensuring that they feel loved and supported is essential. I want to create an environment where they feel secure and valued, providing them with opportunities and resources as needed. Reflecting on my future aspirations, the idea of starting a family might also become a reality when the time feels right. The thought of welcoming the challenges of parenthood—endless sleepless nights and the sweet chaos of family life—fills me with anticipation. I would enjoy the opportunity to nurture my children, instilling in them the values of kindness, perseverance, and the importance of health and wellness. I also have a desire to give back to the community, particularly by mentoring women who aspire to build careers in health and fitness. I believe it’s important to inspire others, sharing insights and experiences that empower them to overcome obstacles and chase their dreams. By offering guidance and support, I hope to help others navigate their paths while pursuing their passions, be it entrepreneurship or furthering education. Ultimately, my envisioned life goes beyond material success. It stems from the blessings I have received thus far. Each achievement, and each opportunity, is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and faith. I remain committed to cherishing these blessings, remembering that I have prayed for everything I have and continue to strive for more. In conclusion, the life of my dreams after earning my DPT is characterized by autonomy, love, and fulfillment. By creating a training facility, traveling with my significant other, caring for my family, and mentoring aspiring professionals, I would craft a life that resonates with joy and purpose. The soft life I seek reflects not just personal success, but a commitment to supporting those around me, and creating a legacy of health, happiness, and inspiration.

The impact of my dad’s death has shaped the core of who I am today, influencing my aspirations, resilience, and outlook on life. My father was one of my greatest supporters and confidants. He always had a listening ear, providing guidance, laughs and encouragement when I needed it most. He had a unique way of instilling confidence in me, often calling me “doctor” long before I even thought of earning the title. He believed in my potential and foresaw greatness in my future, a belief that continues to motivate me even in his absence. The journey of dealing with his death feels like experiencing two separate tragedies. The first was the car accident that left him with an incomplete spinal cord injury, being confined to a wheelchair or bed. This incident not only took away his physical independence but also altered the family dynamic. I witnessed a man who was once so full of life, so active, confront a drastically different reality. The pain and frustration he faced were unimaginable, and it literally broke my heart to see someone so strong become dependent on others for everyday tasks. This period deepened my understanding of vulnerability, resilience, and the importance of supporting loved ones through difficult times. The second, more devastating loss came with his passing, a reality that felt surreal and left a void that can never truly be filled. It forced me to grapple with feelings of grief, uncertainty, and a sense of unfairness. Losing him felt like the end of an era, but a neverending chapter. A piece of my support system is forever gone. However, in coping with these emotions, I still strive to better myself because of him. I felt a responsibility to honor his memory by pursuing the path he believed I was destined for. His faith in me but also the faith I needed to help him while he was here, has pushed me to work a bit harder and strive for my goals with a determination that perhaps I would not have otherwise possessed. While I can never fill the void left by his absence, I strive to make him proud by living out all of my aspirations because I know he would be proud regardless. This journey of grief and growth has shaped me into a more empathetic, driven, and purposeful woman. In conclusion, my dad’s death, though tragic, has transformed my perspective on life. It has taught me to cherish every moment, to support others as he supported me, and to keep pushing toward my dreams. As I manage to navigate this world without him, I carry his love and lessons with me, using them as a continual strength for my future. He may be gone, but his influence continues to guide me, reminding me that greatness is within reach if I dare to pursue it.

Faith, love, and the support of my parents are the main reasons why I am the strong woman I am today. I became enamored with fitness and health while in an undergraduate program at Oakland University, figuring out life because the nursing program defeated me with outlandish science courses. I changed my major to biology to graduate promptly and walked across the stage in May 2015. Being as active as I am, I've had various run-ins with hospitals, and outpatient therapy clinics. My mom suggested going to school for physical therapy to remain in the health and fitness realm. I applied to a PTA program in 2017, going back for my doctorate was too much to mentally handle at that time and I preferred a quick turnaround time for a new income. I never would have thought that the decision to pursue physical therapy, or even remain in the medical field would have such a major effect on my life. In 2019, I graduated from a physical therapist assistant program at South University, passed my board exam, and became a licensed PTA. Thank God I learned how to study, I am still amazed at how much my brain retained with the intensity of that 2-year program. Fast forward, I accepted travel jobs in California and stayed with amazing hosts that I found on Furnished Finders. I feel like God specifically put these hosts in my life because they made my home away from home feel like I belonged. My mom always prayed for my safety, especially with all my travels, and I have been kept for 34 years thus far. I have always been an overachiever, always wanting more out of life. I have applied to physician assistant programs without acceptance; pondered on nursing school, which I did get accepted into, and I turned down the offer. Lastly, I also applied to a doctorate of physical therapy program, which begins in January 2027 and gratefully, I will be in that cohort. Faith has taken me far. Amid those wins, 2021 and 2023 dragged me through the biggest storms of my life. In October 2021, my father was in a motor vehicle accident, he had a syncopal episode while driving, crashed into a ditch, and had an incomplete spinal cord injury. He became dependent, unable to ambulate; and had minimal movement in his legs, moderate core and upper body strength. He lost his finger dexterity and had a multitude of symptoms that coincided with a spinal cord injury. His daughter flew from California to Tennessee, while packing for a flight to Jamaica, to make sure her daddy was okay. My heart dropped when I was outside his hospital door thinking, "What if he doesn't look like my daddy?" Thankfully, he did, he just had on a hospital gown and a cervical collar. Dealing with my dad's injury, frequent hospital trips were bound to happen but also, intense physical therapy was important early on to see improvements. My multiple trips to Tennessee were spent providing him with home rehab and being the best daughter I could be while he was living with his new diagnosis that completely changed his life. I am grateful that I had the time to spend with him while I could, not knowing 2 years after the initial accident, would be his last year living. My dad was in a separate MVA that was fatal and I planned on seeing him about a week later. Faith has kept me this far to know that what I chose to do for my career was also walking in my purpose.

As a PTA, I have worked with patients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, gaining valuable experience and insights along the way. My journey has taken me through various settings, with home health having the most variety; walking through downtown areas with a high homeless population, and seeing people use intravenous drugs. In these environments, I have encountered patients with minimal health literacy, requiring extra patience and clarity in explaining their treatment plans. Additionally, I have treated wealthy patients who may be reluctant to actively participate in their treatment, presenting unique challenges that require innovative approaches. Sometimes walking and talking may be as therapeutic as a treatment session gets. Communication has been a crucial aspect of my work, sometimes relying on translation services to bridge language barriers and ensure effective care. I have worked in areas that may not be culturally friendly, and uncomfortable to me as a black female, and having to somewhat adapt to provide the best possible care to all individuals. Through these experiences, I have honed my skills in patient care, communication, and cultural competence, enabling me to provide comprehensive treatment to patients from all walks of life. Five years of being a PTA and now being in a doctorate program, reiterates my passion and purpose of helping others improve their quality of life. My father was in a fatal car accident in 2023, but the year prior, was in a vehicle accident that left him with an incomplete spinal cord injury. Being able to to visit my dad in Tennessee while I was working and living in California, and just being present while the rest of our family was in Michigan, I feel like that benefited his mental health greatly. Amid his admittance to the ICU, and then to a skilled nursing facility, I would perform passive range of motion to his bilateral upper and lower extremities as tolerated. As time passed and I would visit him after being discharged home, we would work on bed mobility and transfers. I would also help with his activities of daily living. I want to be able to contribute to the profession by ensuring physical therapy starts early on, as early as ICU, without there being a prolonged wait. I want to invent, or modify a device, to make transfers and bed mobility easier for disabled populations. I want to learn more about the neurological deficits that need attention early on, to educate others to have greater results in functional mobility. I know my dad is proud of me for what I’ve helped him with when he was unable to, I want to continue being a helping hand in this field to continue improving the quality of life for others.