Second year Physical Therapy student Ashley Barrett recently was completing one of her clinical affiliations by working with a home health therapist, Dr. Maritza Garcia Williams, a Belmont DPT alumnus (’02).  The two of them were working with an individual with multiple sclerosis who was confined to a wheelchair. In addition to exercises and mobility training, they worked to determine an emergency exit plan from his home, as he was alone most of the day and unable to get his wheelchair out of the house.

Since Ashley’s grandfather was in construction, she both recruited his help to build a ramp and ensured that the cost of the supplies was covered.  After receiving permission from the patient and measurements needed for the ramps, Ashley and her grandparents went to the patient’s home and installed the ramp.

When Dr. Williams arrived at the patient’s home for the next therapy session, the patient actually met her outside.  Dr. Williams shared that “This is the first time in five years that he has been able to exit his home, easily and quickly, without assistance.  For him, this is major!”