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LIVE from the Ascend Conference in Washington DC, I am joined by Co-Founders of PT Day of Service Efosa Guobadia and Josh D’Angelo to discuss PT Day of Service. PT Day of Service has brought together nearly 8,000 volunteers from 42 countries in just two years. Treating at a pro bono clinic. Working in a soup kitchen. Cleaning up a park. No matter where or how, we have the ability to positively impact change. Whether we call ourselves ‘Physical Therapists’ or ‘Physiotherapists,’ service embodies who we are, what we do, and how we act. Join us this year on October 14, 2017!
In this episode, we discuss:
-What is PT Day of Service?
-The future of PT Day of Service and Efosa’s and Josh’s goal of transcending the status quo
-Building a team with shared values to achieve goals
-Ways you can give back to those affected by recent natural disasters
-And so much more!
PT Day of Service encourages physical therapists to give back to their communities and all across the globe. Josh states, “It’s about writing service into the DNA of our profession….PT Day of service has always been about what we can do when we unite, when we join together as a profession”
The goal of the PT day of Service team is to, “create a platform from which people can stand and serve to move the world in a positive direction.” Dedicating a day of service gives the opportunity for each person to make a lasting impact on their communities and Efosa remarks, “The power that we have, from one interaction, from one touch point can change the world.”
For more information on the PT Day of Service Story:
DR. EFOSA GUOBADIA:
What if. I imagine a few things have started that way in the past, and a few things will start that way in the future. This particular ‘what if’ came to my mind in February 2015. I was doing health volunteer work off the Amazon River in Peru. As I looked upon the river, an idea that had been bubbling in the back of my mind suddenly shot to the front in full force. What if, on the same day, clinicians, students and associated staff of the Physical Therapy profession volunteered in different communities around the world? What if, we then shared those moments and acts in a way that was galvanizing, inspiring, and promoted connections all over the world? What if!?
Being on the Amazon and watching the river flow, I couldn’t help but think of our profession of Physical Therapy as a flowing river. A river made up of passion, love, life, kindness, and heart. A river that enhances and is enhanced by the shores it passes and the encounters it makes. Our River. Our Profession. Our Communities. The idea was taking form that a Day of Service would be another wave to have a positive impact on all involved. I was smiling as the thought was developing and I knew I had to share it with someone. I emailed Josh right away…
DR. JOSH D’ANGELO:
Let’s shoot for the stars. Back in February, I received an email at about 11:30pm. As I curled into bed and saw the email was from Efosa, I could not help but read it. Our exchanges often serve as a place to reflect on our lives, careers, and what physical therapy can and should be. This particular email happened to be a new idea, something to the effect of starting a ‘PT Day of Service.’ Three sentences into the email, I had a visceral response, one that told me this is something we not only should do, but something we need to do; a chance for the profession to show what we can do when we all work together. At 11:35pm, I popped back up, turned the light on, and flipped open my laptop. Over the next 15 minutes, I did my best to articulate that this was NOT just another idea, this is a movement we HAVE to start.
Later on that night as I drifted off to sleep, I remember the last thought that crossed my mind: ‘Let’s really do this. Let’s shoot for the stars.’
EFOSA & JOSH:
What was once an idea has evolved into a real, palpable movement driven by eight volunteers, a growing list of international ambassadors, and many supporters across the world. We have had the chance to talk about servant leadership, community engagement, and all that is possible when we ask ourselves how we can do our part to make life better for those around us, when we ask ourselves how can we put compassion into action. We know the impact will be real on not only those we serve, but on our profession and ourselves.
To our knowledge, this is the first global Day of Service coordinated by a whole profession. It gives us the chance to lead and serve at the same time. Our hope for this day is that it sparks new connections, strengthens established ones, and further stimulates conversations on how we can keep this river flowing strongly for our profession and the communities we touch. Because…What if.
Resources discussed on this show:
Stephen Colbert 2011 Commencement Speech at Northwestern University
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Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart!
Xo Karen