Why I love my "job"

I know I don't technically have a job yet and I am fully aware that I'm still paying tuition to work full-time but I feel like I have a PT job because I've been working in a clinic/hospital for 3 months now! The good news about my "job" is that I absolutely LOVE it. I feel so incredibly blessed to be in a profession that I love going to everyday and I want to do for the rest of my life. It's encouraging when you look back on all of the many years of schooling and all the hard work poured in and you know that it was all worth it.
So here's the reason why I love PT...I just love my patients. They encourage me, they inspire me, they challenge me, they make me laugh, they make me cry, they share their stories with me, they share their families with me, and they share their lives with me and invite me in as a friend.
The job of being a rehab PT isn't always easy. In fact, it's really difficult. When a patient is crying in realization that they'll never be able to walk again after their car accident it's hard. When a patient has aphasia after a stroke and isn't able to express any of the words they want to say and they keep trying but get so frustrated, it's hard to know what to do.
Everyday I show up at my "job" I realize how BLESSED I am. To be healthy and to have family and friends that are healthy is such a blessing and it is not something to take for granted even though we all do all the time. All my patients are ordinary people who lived ordinary lives and one day something crazy drastic happened to them and their lives were dramatically changed. There is nothing more impactful than getting to spend 1-2 hrs a day for a couple weeks with someone during this dramatic life change.  Their stories break my heart. I've realized it's hard to not be a hypochondriac and worry that the things that happen to them will happen to the people I love in my life. I have to frequently remind myself to not live in fear but to instead really cherish every moment.
Ok so now I need to brag about my patients because they're just so wonderful and they add so much joy to my life...
One of my favorite patients is a father of two girls and a very accomplished professor. He has a brain tumor that was removed and he has a poor prognosis. He sadly has aphasia and is only able to communicate the word "yes" and he also is unable to use any muscles on his left side of the body.  Despite all this he is the most determined person I have ever met becuase he doesn't want his girls to see him weak so he tries his hardest to stand and walk everyday. He is the HAPPIEST person I've ever met because he is always smiling and always laughing. Can you imagine living without words and being unable to move, knowing that you have a year to live and that you're leaving you family behind? Now imagine knowing all of that and still living with JOY. CRAZY! This man is my hero.
Another favorite patient is around the same age and unfortunately has the same diagnosis and prognosis. He would get very frustrated with the complete loss of his independence and he would frequently tear up during therapy sessions because he couldn't talk or move like he used to. When he would tear up I would try my hardest to encourage him and tell him how he was doing so well. We bonded through all of our PT sessions together even though he was never able to use his words. On his last day of therapy he was leaving and he gave me a firm handshake and he started tearing up and he wouldn't let go of my hand for a really long time...we just stood there, tears in our eyes, shaking hands for a good couple minutes. I'm sorry but how am I supposed to not cry when that happens?!? It broke my heart. It devastated me that at the young age of 50 he has a max of 1 year to live. I feel so blessed that I got to meet and work with such a sweet man with such a tender heart. Can you imagine spending the last year of your life unable to tell the people in your life that you love them and unable to do the activities that you love? The amount of courage and strength this man showed is an inspiration to me.
An all-time favorite patient is a young woman who has a very serious debilitating disease like M.S. but more serious and progressive. When she came into the hospital she couldn't move a single muscle in her body but now she is slowly re-learning how to stand and walk. She was on feeding tubes for 3 months and had to be on a mechanical ventilator for 2 months. She told me recently that she had never believed in God before getting this disease but since going through this and seeing the miracle that God has performed in her life she believes in him. She is the most selfless person I have ever met. When patients were sharing prayer requests at the worship worship on the rehab floor she said she didn't have any requests to share other than to pray for everyone on the floor that is sick and discouraged. Can you imagine going through all of that and being unsure of your ability to stand and walk for the rest of your life at the age of 20 and saying you want to pray for everyone else and not yourself? CRAZY! This young woman has taught me more about living selflessly and being humble than I have ever learned before.
I seriously could go on and on about how much I love these patients and new friends of mine. They have all changed my life in so many ways. I can only hope and pray that I can encourage, love, and inspire them in a small way compared to what they have done for me.