03/02/2022
I hope that this note finds everyone safe and well. At this time, I would like to share a story of one of my most special patients, his name is Charlie. I met Charlie when he was 6 years old at King of Prussia Physical Therapy. This young boy was going through his first of many surgeries for his leg lengthening procedure. At that time, I was a physical therapy assistant, and my job was to help his knee bend better. Charlie would hear me constantly remind him to “bend, bend, and bend.” He always had an apparatus around his knee and would give his all!
In November of 2021, Charlie had his last leg lengthening procedure, this time it was an internal procedure. Charlie walks in with crutches at Ridge Physical Therapy at the age of 31 and gave me my favorite chocolate. He remembers how I love peanut butter cups! When I started treating him, he looked at me and said, “Bend, bend and bend,” with a smile. Charlie was discharged at the end of December. He needed to return to his home and work.
I have been honored to have the opportunity to treat him over the years at Ridge Physical Therapy. He is a reminder to me and my patients, how positive attitude is important. I am so proud of the young man he has become. He had so many physical and emotional challenges and yet he fought so hard to overcome it all. He did this with his positive attitude and determination. Not only attitude, but his awareness of others. He never failed to ask me, how I was doing. I am inspired by his courage, never give up positive energy and how he makes everyone around him smile!
