The DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight this month is on Physical Therapist, Alicia Austin. Read on to learn which song would be the theme song to her life and when she realized she was meant to be a physical therapist.
DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight: Alicia Austin
Position: Physical Therapist, Desert Hand Therapy | Indian School
What was the light bulb moment for you where you knew you were supposed to be a physical therapist?
When I realized I wasn’t supposed to be an engineer. I started off as an engineering student and I liked it, but I couldn’t picture myself doing it long term.
What’s the best part of your job?
Helping people, the staff I work with, and knowing that I’m making a difference in someone’s life.
What is it that excites/motivates you on a daily basis?
I’m motivated to do this every day because I know that it’s what I’m meant to do – I know that I’m meant to be making a difference in someone else’s life.
What do you think the biggest misconception about physical therapy is?
People think it’s physical torture. People tend to think it’s just really painful.
What are the biggest challenges you face as a physical therapist?
I don’t really see any obstacles in my job as challenges. When I come up against something, I don’t think “oh I can’t do this”, I figure out how and what I can do to MAKE it work. I just consider it a part of my job.
What’s the biggest success story you’ve seen?
I think every story in physical therapy could be considered a big success story. It could be something like making someone’s vertigo go away, it could be helping someone be able to get out of bed by themselves, it could be helping to get someone back to running or basketball. I think every time you help somebody, that’s their big success. I don’t see it as something I did, I just see it as I’m the facilitator of giving them the tools to make that success story happen for themselves.
What are you passionate about other than physical therapy?
My family – I have a 6 year old.
What is your favorite song/If you could pick one song to be the theme song to your life, what would it be?
Right now with a 6 year old, all I hear is “The wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round…” Currently, his music is my music. He’s also really into The National Anthem right now.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
New Zealand. I hear it’s beautiful and I hear that you actually still see a lot of how the indigenous people used to live.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
My super power would be to fly. You could see everything from above.
What is your special talent?
I like to cook, but I’m terrible at baking. I don’t like to follow the recipe.
Which TV show do you watch that is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Forensic Files. I just get sucked into it.
