I’m Akleaya, I currently live in Trinidad and Tabago, and I aspire to be a Sports Physical Therapist. This is because it combines two of my biggest passions; being able to help others and sports. I have always been drawn to the medical field, helping those who need it the most and being one of the reasons why people smile. Being around athletes, both through taking part in sports myself and even going to school with national and competitive level athletes, has only deepened my interest in this career choice. Thanks to Miss Dee Wilcox, the director of the AnnieRuth Foundation Inc. I had the incredible opportunity to experience a six (6) weeks internship, five (5) weeks being at Brooks Rehabilitation, which further helped to confirm my goals.
During my internship, I had the chance to rotate through several Brooks Rehabilitation locations, beginning with the outpatient clinic in Nocatee. The environment there was calm and welcoming, with the busiest hours falling between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. I mainly shadowed two (2) outstanding physical therapists, Mr. James Maggert and Mr. Andrew Vevoda, but the friendly atmosphere allowed me to learn from others as well. While I couldn’t participate in treatments due to my intern status, I contributed by cleaning equipment, organizing supplies, and engaging in friendly conversations with patients to help ease their discomfort. This experience made me realize the importance of increasing my volume when speaking, especially when working with elderly patients. My second rotation was at the Bartram Inpatient Hospital, which was more fast-paced and collaborative. There, I shadowed Mrs. Lindsey Mckeever, an occupational therapist. It was a delightful experience working with her and I had a lot of fun learning and observing her work. I learned valuable lessons about patient privacy, empathy, and advocacy. I also observed speech and physical therapists, gaining a broader understanding of how each discipline supports recovery. While at this facility I often contributed by pushing wheelchairs for patients that were relearning how to walk, returning equipment to their respective places and assisting in transporting items back to the patients’ rooms. I really did enjoy interacting with the patients at the hospital and seeing their progress brought me so much joy. This experience also taught me the importance of maintaining strong social energy to keep up with the daily interactions in such a busy setting. I now look forward to starting my final rotation at Brooks Rehabilitation University Inpatient Hospital and seeing what new experiences await.
Being a part of the AnnieRuth Foundation’s summer internship program played a major role in preparing me for future success. Over a 10-month training period, I developed crucial professional skills, such as writing a resume, building a personal brand, networking, making sure your voice is heard, acing interviews and knowing how to dress appropriately for business occasions. The program consistently reminded me of the importance of keeping God in the center of everything we do, practicing gratitude and appreciation, always trying to take care of our well-being and staying accountable. In addition to the training, the Foundation provided a paid internship, which gave me 96 hours of real work experience. This hands-on opportunity not only allowed me to experience a professional work environment, but also helped me explore whether I truly want to pursue my chosen career path or if I would find a different path altogether