Physical Therapy Personal Statement

Personal Statement for Doctorate of Physical Therapy

My passion for a career in physical therapy initially began with a personal experience that profoundly framed my grasp of the field and its overall impact on individuals. When I was 14 years old, I had my first severe knee injury while I was dancing at my childhood studio. I was surrounded by a ton of other dancers, and when I collapsed due to a patellar dislocation on my left knee, I was humiliated. The proceeding months were full of pain, and anger, and the lack of mobility felt like it went on for an eternity. Six months after my injury, while still recovering, I was on the cheer team in 8th grade. It was the first game of the season, and while warming up for the game, my patella dislocated my right leg. Once again, I experienced humiliation when I collapsed in

As I spent time in doctor appointments, getting MRIs, and physical therapy for both injuries, I struggled when it came to seeing a future of being what seemed to me normal. On the bright side, I was able to be on crutches again and wore braces on both of my knees. I was believed to have healed from my injuries, until the winter of 2021. My left leg went through another patellar dislocation. I suffered from 3 serious knee injuries all while I was under the age of 18, and it was a very challenging time for me mentally and physically. From this point on, I realized that I would never be in sports or participate the same way I had before. With these injuries, it resulted in months of physical therapy – almost daily at some points. However, I had the privilege of working with the same physical therapist, whose compassion, expertise, and dedication not only made my recovery possible, but also ignited my passion to become a physical therapist myself. This period, as painful as it was, was the spark for