October 28, 2022 – October is National Physical Therapy Month, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is fortunate to have a team of dedicated physical therapy professionals filling essential roles to serve students across the district.
Physical therapists are responsible for helping their patients manage pain and movement when their physical conditions hinder them. In a school setting, that can mean anything from providing a child with special equipment to help them maintain an upright position when sitting in class to helping them maneuver a playground to assisting with long walks during class changes. Everyday activities that most people take for granted are impossible for certain students without the aid of a physical therapy professional.
“Our job is to help students to access their school environment,” said Physical Therapy Assistant Kristi Stanley. “The physical therapist is responsible for writing goals, evaluating, and discharging students. I follow the PT plan of care, do student treatments, attend IEPs, PLTs, CAC and whatever else I am asked to do.”
There are dozens of students throughout WS/FCS who depend on a physical therapist on a regular basis. Physical therapists not only need to help exceptional children with their physical issues, but they also strive to be present for Individual Education Program meetings, assist with transportation during emergencies, and schedule with vendors whenever parts on equipment need to be replaced or repaired. It’s a fast-paced and intense job for which there are no normal days.
“We do try to have a schedule of which schools we will serve each day, but we frequently get calls that change our plan,” said Interim Lead Physical Therapist Della Oberst. “If a wheelchair is broken and needs repair to be able to be transported home on the bus or if a student has an urgent need with assistance for transfers with a lift and the usual school staff is absent, we prioritize those needs.”
WS/FCS offers students with physical therapy needs plenty of support to offset those challenges. The district has a sizeable supply of wheelchairs, walkers, standers, and more that students can use, and their connections with equipment vendors guarantee quicker access to repairs and replacements. The Physical Therapy Team is able to work with families to make their lives a lot easier.
“Our school system is very fortunate that we have a large amount of equipment,” Stanley said. “This allows us to trial equipment with students to see what will work the best for them. Then if the family needs equipment for home, we can suggest what will work for their child. We also have equipment vendors who come out to the schools to see the students with us. Some families find this very helpful because it eliminates them having to make appointments and get their kids to them.”
Being a school physical therapist is a challenging job that requires ample patience and compassion, but WS/FCS’s Physical Therapy Team has a surplus of both. They get to know the students they serve well and get invested in seeing them succeed and be happy at school. Every time that they learn a new skill or simply have a good day in class, physical therapists count it as a victory.
“The most rewarding part of my job is the achievements of my students, no matter how big or small,” said Physical Therapist Kathleen Fuerst. “Seeing them laugh and smile because they are having fun. Seeing them participate in an activity they could not perform without additional supports in place. Seeing them achieve a desired goal that makes them more mobile and less dependent on their caregivers.”
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up