Scholarship Winner Madelyn DeLutis

Accepted to Shenandoah University

The determination on her face was evident to the three of us standing with her. She was so focused as she approached the stairs. As she inched closer, she wobbled a little, and I saw uncertainty in her face. She came to the first step and reached out for the railings, just as her physical therapist had taught her. With a huge smile on her face, she climbed the three steps to the top of the platform. After many grueling hours, Anna had accomplished what her parents had been told would never happen; she walked up steps by herself.

This experience at an intensive pediatric physical therapy practice solidified my desire to pursue a physical therapy doctorate degree. I especially love working with children with special needs. My two seasons as a partner for the Special Olympics athletes on our school’s Unified Bocce team, as well as my activities with the Best Buddies program at our school, truly have inspired me to want to work with this special group of children and teens.

I hope that I can have the same impact on future children that I saw the physical therapist have on Anna. I want to see the determination and focus on my patients, I want to support them through the times they have tried and struggled, and I want to celebrate with them when they finally succeed. I cannot wait to see the joy and pride I saw in Anna’s face on countless faces in years to come.