Happy Father's Day

A flamingo kite. Can it get any more perfect?












Missing you dad this Father's Day! I love you so much and I couldn't have asked for a more fun or loving dad. Enjoy your day!

The Top of the World

This weekend I visited the Prime Meridian. Yes, none other than Greenwich, England. What an awesome place to visit! Tourists and locals alike gathered to picnic in the massive Greenwich Park- some locals even setting up full wine and cheese picnics. One such picnic was complete with white-tablecloth covered tables and accordion player providing the entertainment. Another family picnic within a flower-garden was having a potato-sack race (in black trash bags)- all laughing at themselves as the British seem to like to do.

The views are gorgeous once you climb the steep hill up to the Royal Observatory. The skyline is complete with a beautiful Christopher Wren building (Christopher Wren is a very, very, very well-known architect in London), St Paul's Cathedral and the massive O2 Arena (future sight of the 2012 Olympics-gymnastics and basketball finals). And there I was, upon the hill, on top of the world. I wondered around, asking friendly tourists to take my picture on the Prime Meridian (O degrees longitude), thus, the center of the earth. Then down the other side of the hill I went, and lo and behold, I stumbled upon a family fun fair! No summer is complete with a carnival or two. There was a petting zoo, free donkey rides (no, I didn't go on a ride), and greasy, wonderful carnival food- doughnuts, fish and chips, kabobs, cheese-steaks (a bit of Philly, but not quite). And the best part of it all- the kites! Hundreds of kites!

I took it all in. For myself. For my dad who loves kites. For my sister and mom. For the gift of being on what felt like the top of the world. A smile on my face, reminiscing on kite flying days with dad, and a bag of fresh doughnuts in my hand, I enjoyed the pleasure of having no schedule, nowhere to be, no "agenda." And so, I watched as kids of all ages (5 to 55 years old) flew their kites, some crashing, others flying high. And I was at peace. Even though I was many many miles away from home. Even though I was still missing family and friends. But thankful for this opportunity to be in this beautiful place. It was the kind of beauty you can never explain fully in words. And I realized that traveling by yourself is bittersweet but freeing at the same time. What a place it was- it felt like the top of world.

Extreme Skating

(If this guy was just stretching, that'd be impressive. But note the skates on his feet.This was indeed "Extreme Skating." He'd skate down the sidewalk, strike this pose, and then keep on skating without slowing down or anything. Truly, truly amazing! London talent at it's finest.)

Where's Natalie?

So,let's suppose that you were in London, and you wanted to find me but you couldn't reach my cell-phone because well, I don't have one! (This has been a very freeing experience, not having a cell; we'll see if I feel this way in a month though!)

Where would you find Natalie?

1. During the week, I'm at the hospital. Working hard. Being myself. Being a PT.

2. In my "flat." My home base. It's a cozy place. And because my computer is my only means of communication with friends and family at home, you will find me sitting up, sometimes late into the night (like tonight), "skyping" mom, my sister and anyone who has the same accent as me!

3. Running! Through parks. Around nearby neighborhoods. Stumbling upon places that are vaguely familiar. Running until the road ends and then turning around and running back. Running in straight lines is key, especially if you don't want to get lost! I'm finding that running this way, and in big loops, is the best way to scope out local cafes, pretty gardens and beautiful row-homes.

4. Searching for real coffee! There is a cafe at every corner in London, so you would think it'd be easy to find good coffee. You thought wrong. If you ask for a coffee at any cafe, you'll probably end up with espresso mixed with hot water and/or a cup of INSTANT COFFEE! Not a Quick Check, 7-11, Sheetz or Wawa in sight. Oh, the dreaded instant coffee! And so, I search for real, strong, coffee. "Filter coffee" as they call it. Such things I have taken for granted...but not anymore!

5. Playing ultimate frisbee in front of Buckingham Palace. This past Sunday, I joined a group of young Brits and few American students in a pick-up game of ultimate. It was "lovely" (as they say here)! As the sound of marching band filled the air, there I was, in London, playing one of my favorite sports...and getting to know new people at the same time!

6. At a pub. Pubs are a crucial part of the British culture. The other day I had a pint of "Hobglobin"...you won't find that in Philly!

7. Lost (although I'll rarely admit it...I get that from my Dad). I have been saved many many times my the maps of London stored in my iPod. And what a relief it is to see that big red circular sign with the word "Underground" on it: the Tube. My ticket home. I'm found once again!

Physiotherapy

I had one of my patient’s ask me to “give him an American exercise” (he was quite aware that I was NOT British.) I laughed and said that there’s really nothing uniquely American. Of course some techniques and philosophies differ from place to place, but I’m starting to realizing that physical therapy is physical therapy; it’s an universal language of sorts. Well, except that it’s called “physiotherapy” here. This similarity is refreshing for a “fresh-off the plane” American “Physio” student
I was properly welcomed and spent 2-3 days observing the basic operations of the clinic. As with anything new, I was a bit overwhelmed and to be honest, I guess I will be for a while. I see the other Physios splitting their time between their entire patient load while I am running around barely juggling the small caseload I’ve been given. It’s a bit overwhelming because the philosophy of the clinic is to allow the patients, all of whom have a “disability”, to use the abilities they have retained in order to be as independent as possible. Each patient is expected to be independent with transferring themselves and independently wheeling themselves in their wheelchairs. Over the course of a few days, each patient settles into his or her routine; I just hope the same will happen for me (I have confidence that it will.) By the end of the first week at clinic, I felt like I had learned a month’s worth of information and procedure. I learned things specific to persons with amputations: how to properly don and off a prosthesis, the proper names for parts of the prosthesis, and various other “tricks of the trade.” But most of all, I learned that PT is PT. No matter the country and even between specialty areas. I feel like my schooling has prepared me well, though I have only begun this exciting adventure.

Double "D" Day

Today is Double "D" Day because I finally was able to set on the top level of a Double-Decker bus this morning. I thought this would be easy thing to do, but for one thing, not every bus is a double-decker and for another thing, the trip has to be a long to make the upper deck worth it. nyhow, check riding the double-decker off my list of things to do while in London. A small but important accomplishment for this American student. Secretly, I think even the businessmen find it exciting to ride on the upper level. It's like climbing a tree and look out from above leaves. It more exciting being high up (unless you're afraid of heights of course).

Today was day 3 at clinic. So far, my experience has been all positive. There is so much more I need to learn, but I feel like I can and have held my own. Almost all, if not all, of the patients I will be seeing have had an amputation in the past- past being anywhere being 10 days and 40+ years ago. The clinic is a rehab setting with one big gym for both inpatient and outpatient amputees. The patients arrive at the gym in the early morning and then stay and work hard until 3pm. This schedule adequate exercise time that will hopefully promote the quickest and safest return to home and to their daily life.

My role, amongst other things, is to encourage and guide movement and activity. I try to make the activities fun and interesting. A huge part of my job is to make certain that a patient is safe to return home, and he/she is best equipped to return to their daily life. Yes, I promote exercise! But I also wear other hats (I like this variability in my job). I am a motivator and a friend. A listening ear and a problem solver. I think of exercises that will strengthen muscles but also boost self-confidence. And in my personal opinion, however bias it may be, I think the best thing about rehab and exercise and physical therapy is in general is that PT not only strengthens the body, but it also empowers the spirit. It is my job to tell you what you can do! Yes, you can return to a your life. Yes, you may have to be creative in the way you do tasks, even walk. You will need to work hard, without a doub. But if you persevere,and if I do my job well, even after something as as terrible as an amputation, life will continue on. And yes, you have the ability to continue living your life!

Cricket in the Park

I just loved the outfit. He was so serious about cricket too. Parks here are great for people watching.