Physical Therapy Students Volunteer for Destination Rehab

On September 23, six physical therapy students volunteered for Destination Rehab. The mission of this non-profit organization is “Building  confidence and independence for individuals with neurologic conditions through physical therapy-based community training and adventure challenges.” Destination Rehab brings rehabilitation out of the clinic and into the community by designing activities for individuals with chronic conditions such as spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, brain injury, dystonia, ALS, stroke, amputation, Parkinson's Disease, and Guillain-Barré.     

At this event, Pacific University physical therapy students joined a band of volunteers comprised of other therapists, students, and community members in order to assist individuals with neurological conditions on different adventures. These adventures consisted of kayaking excursions down the Deschutes River, biking with ergonomically modified bikes, rock climbing, and much more. Many participants expressed amazement at what they were able to accomplish with the help of skilled rehabilitation experts, commenting, “I never thought I would be able to ride a bike, paddle a kayak, or climb a rock wall ever again.” Participants came away empowered by the experience, and a number of participants even made plans to buy their own adaptive equipment in order to incorporate these activities back into their lives. Students were similarly impressed with the skill progression that was possible over just one day given the right supportive team and proper adaptive equipment.  

Destination Rehab is led by their executive director and physical therapist Dr. Carol-Ann Nelson and a story about their organization was recently featured in PT in Motion and Channel 21 News.  Dr. Sukhee So Chinn, adjunct faculty in the School of Physical Therapy, also serves on Destination Rehab Advisory Council.

Pictured from left to right are Taylor Odell (’18), Katie Overton (’19), Sarah Tiffany (’19), Tesse Maciejko (’19), Kayla Keniston (’19), and Maarten Harris (’19).