Prison PT

Caring for the incarcerated

Jun 16

unchained opportunity

commencement This might be a strange place to post a commencement speech, but the topic is worthy of this blog. I was recently invited back to my alma mater, UCSF, to be the Alumni Keynote Speaker for the 2024 Doctorate of Physical Therapy graduating class. They were interested in the professional trajectory I have taken,…
May 18

remember where you work

duped I felt a strange touch of sadness when I wasn’t able to say goodbye. My death row patient shouted out to me as he was being wheeled past the PT gym. On par with the death row transfers, he was escorted out to the custody van, his transfer out of the prison was evident.…
May 11

human touch

not for everyone I’m not going to lie. I’ve been hesitant to touch some of my incarcerated patients. I should clarify. Shoulders, knees, hands, even feet are completely in the comfort zone. But when it comes to backs and necks, it feels more personal. And more like something misconstrued as massage. I don’t want my…
Mar 9

inmate perspective #11

opening a door “You know what I can’t wait to do? ….open a door on my own.” This is our first appointment. He shares the above sentiment. He has questions about how things work on the mainline. I’m thinking he must be new to the prison. On the contrary he shares that he’s been on…