I lost some friends last Friday to the seemingly inexorable rising tide of layoffs happening all over the country. It’s a bittersweet feeling to be spared — I ache for my friends, while I’m simultaneously grateful for my own good fortune — but PTs and PTAs around the nation are noticing changes in their workplaces, whether from fewer available medical supplies, leaner schedules as patients hold off on elective surgeries, or from employers trimming rehabilitation services to stay afloat.
The sadness of the day was compounded by the discovery of a badly stunned hummingbird in the parking lot at work. He was in distress, gasping for breath with closed eyes, and oh, so cold as he hunched miserably in the frigid wind swirling over the asphalt — the ill winds of change had apparently dashed him against the window unexpectedly, and his innocent injury seemed symbolic of the day’s sad events.
Although the little bird looked done for, I took him home at lunchtime on the off chance I might be able to help him recover. Miraculously, after some sunshine, sugar water, and TLC, he revived, warming my heart and giving me fresh hope for the future.
In times of trouble, we all need someone to watch over us and turn to for comfort. With this in mind, I hope that in some small way Today in PT can help any therapists who might be faltering by providing a place to go when searching for a new job or when needing some CEUs to keep their licenses current.
Don't despair; if my hummingbird friend can make it, so can we.
Anne Ahlman, MPT
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