From Personal Struggle to Physiotherapy: My Journey

When I was five years old,I had my first fracture, I fell off my brother’s tricycle while I was standing on it to reach for the light switch, I fell right on my left arm which resulted in fracture of my humerus and damage to my elbow ligaments, my arm was immobilized in a cast for about six weeks, after the cast was removed, I could not flex my elbow at all, I also had difficulty using my arm, I started range of motion and strengthening exercise till my arm was back to normal, it was a difficult but enjoyable process as well and I felt so proud of myself. This led me to find an interest in rehabilitation. I pursued this path and earned a B.A. in physiotherapy with the hope of improving the lives of others.

I’ve been working in a rehabilitation facility as a physiotherapist for the past three years. I’ve treated a variety of cases ,in every case I treated & cared for my patients, as the way I wish to be treated if someday I were in their place, but no matter how much I tried to prepare my patients for the

real world, the occupational therapy aspect was missing, patients are discharged home to the same environment they were in before being affected by illness or injury  .We have a significant need for a qualified occupational therapists in Saudi Arabia. Even tough I tried to fill this gap and work even harder with every patient, I still need the proper knowledge and training, to improve the quality of living for every patient that comes my way.

I’m really passionate about working with children, I’ve always looked forward to any new pediatric case, it takes patience, creativity and the ability to feel their wants and needs without them being able to express them to me verbally.

A master degree in occupational therapy would greatly help me achieve my professional goals. Post graduation, I would love to work in a clinical pediatric setting to gain more experience. My long-term goal is to enter a post professional program to obtain a doctorate degree with a concentration in pediatric occupational therapy.

I enjoy listening to music, creative arts, bowling, cooking, swimming, walking, reading mystery stories in both Arabic and English and I love gardening and growing different kinds of flowers. I also love helping animals, especially cats. I’ve always been very sociable and made friends with people of all ages and walks of life; mainly due to my sense of humour, general affability and interest in

others.

I am an individual who enjoys helping other people. The feeling, knowing that I am responsible for the happiness and the gratitude that is beaming back towards me is indescribable. I have spent years trying to find my purpose in life, where my passion lies, and what I could be doing to make a difference. Well, I have found it in Physical and Occupational Therapy. This is what I want to do. This, I know I can do. This is how I want to help people .