Students and faculty from our School of Physical Therapy (SOPT) recently teamed up for a pair of back-to-back July weekends in support of two local organizations focused on the health of individuals from both ends of the aging spectrum.
In mid-July, PNWU-SOPT representatives gathered about 20 adaptive bikes and trikes and headed for Children’s Village’s Outdoors for All event, held by the Outdoors for All foundation, which aims to enrich the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation.
“Parents and children – with or without special needs – were able to ride together,” explained SOPT assistant professor Dr. Tiffany Salido. The event was particularly close to Dr. Salido’s heart, as two of her children receive services at Children’s Village. “Children’s Village will be one of our clinical partners, so we want to mutually support our efforts,” she said.
Together with students, Dr. Salido assisted children to get fitted to ride the bikes and trikes safely, even running alongside riders, pedaling with them on the bike, guarding the turns and helping to direct traffic.
The following weekend, the group reconvened in Tacoma, alongside SOPT Program Director Dr. Peggy Trueblood, for the Washington State Senior Games. Hosted annually for athletes 50 and older, the event featured a wide range of sports.
“It was such a great experience for our students,” said Dr. Trueblood. “There is such a bias in society about seniors. Watching the Senior Games and meeting the people that participate really inspired me and validated the importance of staying fit as we age – something physical therapists can help with!”
As a geriatric clinical specialist, Dr. Salido has witnessed the evolution of the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam, and wanted to bring it to Washington when she moved here to join PNWU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. As the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Academy of Geriatrics’ Washington State advocate, Dr. Salido helped to organize the event.
“The Senior Games is amazing because it turns what we typically think of when we think ‘senior’ on its head,” explained Dr. Salido. “I really wanted students to be exposed to that. We are building a culture in the SOPT of service and giving back to the community, and in turn sending a message that we want to be here, are proud to be part of the community, and are committed to our mission of serving.”
If students are interested in volunteering for either of these events next year, Dr. Salido encourages them to reach out to her directly.
“Being in the community and serving people in the community is such a great learning experience,” she added. “You gain insight into people and situations you just don’t think about when you are on campus all the time. I think it is very motivating to continue in your studies because you can see purpose in what you are learning and what you can do now and will be able to do in the future.”