You know how the saying goes: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” This rings true for our pediatric specialty group here at Spooner Physical Therapy. We talked with some of our team to find out what they love about being a pediatric physical therapist and found quite a few common themes. Here’s what they had to say!
Problem Solving & Creativity
Every patient is unique, which requires some solid problem solving and top-notch creative skills. Spooner Goodyear Clinic Director Khristian McGinley, PT, DPT says, “My job is incredibly fun and rewarding! I get to be very creative, creating engaging games and activities for each child’s specific needs.”
Stephanie’s favorite part is the problem solving of how to make therapy fun and make fun therapeutic exercises. She says, “You can’t give a 2-year-old squats and bicep curls; you have to use your imagination to help them reach their goals.”
Letting Children Be Children
Spooner Scottsdale’s Stephanie Gilboy, PT, DPT says, “I love what I do because I can make a lifelong change for individuals who cannot do it on their own. I help children be children and get back to playing in the dirt, running with their siblings, and enjoying the little things.”
Empowering Parents
Pediatric physical therapy does not just involve the kiddos though. Parents play a pivotal role too! Julia Ostoich, PT, DPT at our North Phoenix clinic says, “My favorite part of pediatric physical therapy is not only working with all the cute babies and kiddos, but also empowering parents to be confident with continuing therapy at home, which is just as important as coming into physical therapy.”
Khristian also believes in the role parents play throughout the process. “As a parent myself, I love teaching parents how they can best set their child up for success and give them the confidence to do so,” she says.
Reaching Milestones
While graduation may signal the end of physical therapy, nothing makes a physical therapist happier than seeing their patients reaching their milestones and getting back to the things they love.
“Seeing kids meet their milestones is by far the most rewarding part,” says Julia.
Stephanie says, “Every time a kiddo graduates, a part of my heart is broken but a much larger part is so proud of their accomplishments.”
Khristian reflected on one of her favorite milestones, where one of her 3-year-old patients who was born with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions took her first steps across the living room. Khristian says, “After numerous surgeries, braces, and assistive devices, she was close to walking and one day her mom sent me a video of her finally taking her first steps. A moment they had waited 3 years for! It was so heartwarming that I played a small part in their joy, and reminded me why I love what I do.”
There is no age minimum required to experience all the benefits of physical therapy! From infants to teenagers, children can count on our pediatric specialists every step of the way.
Learn more about Pediatric Physical Therapy at Spooner Physical Therapy. Ready to schedule an appointment? Click Here to schedule an appointment or complimentary movement screen with a Spooner physical therapist at one of our locations throughout the valley.
Are you interested in a rewarding career with the team at Spooner Physical Therapy? Check out our open physical therapy positions here.