Why Physiotherapy?
Whilst growing up on a farm in the North Eastern Free State, I had always dreamt of becoming a doctor.
One day, whilst helping my father with the cattle on our farm - he asked me to assist him with a minor medical procedure on one of the cattle which farmers regularly need to administer.
I discovered that it was impossible for me participate in a process which would inflict some pain and/discomfort of any nature to the animal – even though it was a routine procedure. What a revelation for me. I still recall my father’s comment of that day when he asked - "If you can't do it, how will you ever become a doctor, young man?"
As a 15-year old I injured myself whilst playing cricket, which did not heal as quickly as it should and as such, my parents took me to see a lady who was a physiotherapist – a 50km drive from our farm house – “A physio-what?” I thought.
"Physiotherapists are good at fixing these types of injuries" I was told. At that stage of my life I had no idea what a physiotherapist was – nor had I ever been to see one before. That consultation changed my life and as they say – “the rest is history!”.