"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Those were words from the late Maya Angelou on what passion is. Passion is what drives me to become a great Athletic Trainer and eventually a Physical Therapist, where I will be "transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”
A passion for the human body, an affinity for helping people in need along with an appreciation for the process of building a good bond with people from different walks of life. When I entered my senior year of high school, I knew I wanted to obtain a college education but I was undecided on a major. Should I follow my cousin’s footsteps and become a lawyer? Become a nurse like my mother? No, but I was self-aware of my character traits, I am a determined, collected, resilient and sociable young man. I wanted to use these aspects of my nature in the research and decision making process that goes into choosing a major and most importantly, a career path.
There was a great deal of research, thought, and prayer that went into this critical decision that lead me to the field of Physical Therapy and rehabilitation. Since then, I decided I would enjoy the healthcare field as a career path. I viewed Physical Therapy from a far with minimal knowledge of the fieldwork, but with an idea of how overwhelmingly satisfying it would feel to truly affect someone's life in a positive way. The thought of possibly helping just a few patients get back to living functional lives or even helping someone regain the skills and abilities necessary to maneuver through life effectively excites me beyond belief.
During the decision process near the beginning of my undergraduate career I considered three other fields of study to embark upon. These alternative paths were, law, nursing and athletic training. Two of the three of these fields involve the human body, aiding individuals through the recovery process, and promotion of solid communication skills with all types of people. Shadowing in outpatient and nursing home settings, I’ve witnessed many different injuries, personalities, and walks of life from therapists and patients alike. I’ve learned we’re all one in the same and we have points in our lives where we have moments that come to a standstill and need help from others.
Being a former athlete myself, becoming an Athletic Trainer would be very beneficial because I have a great understanding of where the athletes are coming from on a personal level along with being in a clinicians standpoint along with finding new innovative ways to prevent and care for athletes injuries. Being an Athletic Trainer can benefit me because once I am certified it will allow me as a trainer to specialize in different sports, levels, and professions. Foremost as an AT I can apply to a related health care program, such as physical therapy or medical school.
Being in both settings made me want to become more marketable as an AT and eventually a Physical Therapist, being well rounded in the geriatric, orthopedic, and athletic populations along with owning a joint sports medicine practice which includes athletic training, physical therapy, and a sports performance center for athletes ranging from school age to professional.
I will transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience through being a lifelong student, utilizing different methods, techniques, etc. along with using great communication skills with my cohorts and patients, and most importantly passion. You can have all the knowledge, intellect and expertise, but it does not equate to what passion can be which essentially translates into a dreary, book smart practitioner. Knowing the tissues and planes of a muscle or knowing when to add a hot or cold compress to an affected area is vital to becoming an AT, however that does not necessarily correlate to being a better clinician. The passion for the profession, proficient practice and the well-being of a patient does translate into a more effective clinician. To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality.
Current Whereabouts:
I am currently enrolled at Bethune-Cookman University where I am pursuing my Master's of Athletic Training, previously I have attended FAMU where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Pre-Physical Therapy concentration. I have an interest in the world of HBCU athletics, business, and the arts.
Life & Professional Aspirations:
Once I earn my Master's degree in Athletic Training, I intend on being an athletic trainer for a professional team and eventually working at an HBCU as the head athletic trainer. Many would be shocked but Black people only make up 2% of the profession and I want to be apart of that change by being the best clinician I can be and showing so through education.
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Ralph White on 08/18/2020
