Students in the Physical Therapy Program Help Uncover Potential Health Problems
Rosie Leech walked over to the Hardin-Simmons University Physical Therapy Department, probably more out of curiosity than anything else.
From her home just north of the campus, it only takes a few minutes to get to the Mabee Building, even on foot.
Rosie wanted to know about a flyer that was delivered to her home by some students. Below is the flyer that piqued her interest.
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Department of Physical Therapy at Hardin-Simmons University
Dates: April 27, 28, 29
Time: 8:30-4:30 pm
Place: Mabee Physical Therapy Building, Hardin-Simmons University
Free Screenings: (no referral needed)
Vital Signs: Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Oxygen Saturation, Respiratory Rate, Height, Weight, Body Temperature, Balance, Grip Strength
Fitness Screenings: including flexibility, strength & 6 minute walk
General Musculoskeletal Screening: including joint range of motion, muscle strength, joint assessment, posture and gait
Peripheral Vascular Assessment: blood flow and sensory perception, inspection of feet and nails, especially for individuals with diabetes.
Gross Motor Assessment and Developmental Assessment for children
Neurological Screening including gait, reflexes, sensory perception and balance
Sports Screenings: joint laxity, flexibility, strength, injury risk
Educational Sessions: All classes begin at noon in the PT Building
Monday, 4-27-09: Exercise for Individuals with Diabetes
Tuesday, 4-28-09: Well Baby Exercise and Developmental Milestones
Wed., 4-29-09: Theraband and Chair Exercise Class for strength & balance
**Free Physical Therapy Treatment will be available to those with a referral from a physician*
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The free clinic gives students earning their Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree a chance to put into practice what they are currently learning, and it gives neighbors like Leech a chance to be assessed for her physical well-being without costing any money.
About 300 flyers were delivered to homes around the campus. Some churches agreed to put the clinic in their bulletins, and Love and Care Ministries and the Presbyterian Mission all agreed to help get the word out.
Tim Hutton came in to the P.T. clinic for an old knee injury he received in high school. He said his knee has given him problems for years. Hutton is working as a substitute teacher and is on his feet a lot these days. He says the students evaluating him found that his knee joint is looser than it should be.
Dr. Janelle O'Connell is the Director of the Physical Therapy graduate program and says the students did this clinic eight years ago with great success.
So this year, when they decided to cancel the annual mission trip to Mexico, the trip was replaced with this local clinic.
U.S. Government warnings about travel to Mexico were so stern this year, O'Connell says, that she didn't feel they could take the risk of visiting the orphanage for disabled children in Padres Negres, across from Eagle Pass.
O'Connell says her fears were confirmed over this past weekend when news reports told about the assassination of a newly elected official who had vowed to clean up drug trafficking in the border city.
The central purpose of this year's homebound mission, says O'Connell, is "to provide Christ-centered physical therapy screenings for the Northpark neighbors and other people who may be under-served, under-insured, or unemployed." Dr. O'Connell says, "The free health screenings and educational programs will help increase awareness of risks and enhance the functional abilities of those who try it out."
Said says some of HSU's Family Ministry students are also on hand to help anyone with any spiritual needs.
Money for the mission outreach program comes from a grant by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which the PT department applied for two years ago. O'Connell says the University asked for special permission for the grant monies to be used in Abilene this year because of the crisis situation in Mexico.
When in Mexico, O'Connell says the students help the children learn basic skills like how to sit up, roll over and stand. They also teach sitting strategies to get children to sit outside of their wheelchairs. The orphanage cares for approximately 22 disabled and abandoned children who have no one else to care for them.
As for Rosie Leech, students Kristen Raines, Kristin North, and Elaine Vuelvas put her through the courses and found her to be in good health. Leech says she hasn't had a physical check-up in a while and was curious if she was still in good health. O'Connell says Leech has affirmation now of what she hoped was true when she took the walk over to the student faculty run clinic.
As for Tim Hutton, students Tara Copeland and Lindsey Schofield gave him some strengthening exercises to help him cope better with his old knee injury.
The HSU PT clinic continues all day tomorrow.
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