Exploring Strength and Joy in Children with Down Syndrome
Lizzy Bradford
BIO: I am from Beaverton, Oregon and have spent my time at Whitworth exploring several areas both professionally and personally. For the last four years I have been a student athlete on Whitworth University’s softball team. I have been blessed to have been voted one of the three captains on the team during my senior year, earning me a leadership role. My sophomore year I had the opportunity to travel to Greece with a small group of students during Jan term where I grew in my faith and with my peers. In a professional sense, I have presented three abstracts at health science expositions during my time here as well as presented my research project during the Evidence Based Health Science presentations. I have also applied for physical therapy school and have attended several interviews which challenged but certainly grew my professionalism during my time at Whitworth. Next year I will be attending George Fox University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Newberg, Oregon.
MAJOR: Health Science: Pre-Physical Therapy
Minor: Psychology
Project Overview: Families that have children who experience Down Syndrome are confronted with many demanding needs in order to help their child thrive in today’s society. Unfortunately, several limitations can interfere with getting help for these families who are in need of additional services, including therapy for their children. This proposed project aims to decrease the disadvantages and clarify the resources and research available to them. It hopes to combat the limited access to physical therapy, by producing a social media page with extensive resources, up-to-date research, and exercise videos related to improving quality of life and development for children with Down Syndrome along with their families. What inspired my project was my interest in pediatric physical therapy as well as my close relationships with people who have Down Syndrome. I have had wonderful opportunities to volunteer at Down Syndrome Success Organizations and have learned about techniques that help further the development of children with Down Syndrome. I have seen firsthand how much joy they bring to the lives around them and how many stressors they (and their families) can encounter in everyday life. Even though I am not a licensed Physical Therapist yet, and thus can’t provide any actual therapy, I hope that my social media page will help clarify the research and resources available for families who need it.
