The Master’s Degree Program in Rehabilitation Therapy at George Washington University is my first choice for graduate school because I see your program as the finest of its kind in the world. Primarily interested in the study of social and economic justice when I began my undergraduate education, I chose Political Science as a major, initially with the intention of going on to law school and working in the field of civil rights. Over time, however, as my professional sense of identity developed further, my interest Political Science gradually began to take a back seat to my growing passion for the helping professions, especially Rehabilitation Therapy with a special concentration on vocational rehabilitation.
Two factors converged in support of my decision to pursue Vocational Rehabilitation Therapy. I began working for a certified rehabilitation counselor and vocational and economic, legal expert witness two years ago; and I have learned a lot on the job which has convinced me that rehabilitation therapy is noble work, and I feel fulfilled helping people to recover and rebuild their lives. This is also true of those individuals that have been released from jail and are given an opportunity to build new lives as productive and successful members of the community. My church is also heavily involved in activities geared towards the support and rehabilitation of ex-convicts, underscoring for me the moral imperative and spiritual quality that drives this work.
My 9 to 5 day job consists mostly of writing reports to determine the wage loss for claimants who have been injured in a workplace accident. This consists of reviewing claimants’ medical and employment information, determining their residual functional capacity and ability to work as specified in the medical records, and calculating any resultant wage or benefit losses. I have had the opportunity to meet many clients and observe my boss conducting vocational interviews. Meeting with clients one-on-one added another dimension of insight into the difficulties that disabled individuals deal with daily.
I am particularly interested in researching the relationship between disability, employment, and emotional and psychological well-being. One couple that I had the opportunity to meet, Mr. and Ms. R., were both injured in a motor vehicle accident. Mr. R was interviewed first, and then several weeks later we interviewed his wife. Both sustained severe spinal injuries and were not able to return to work due to pain and limited mobility, the injuries affecting every aspect of their lives. Tears welled up in Ms. R.’s eyes when she discussed how hard it was for them to care for their one-year-old daughter.
Finally, my mom recently broke her right foot. She could not drive herself or walk without an assistive device for several months. Witnessing her difficulty bathing, climbing stairs, standing up, or getting in the car has also served to make me highly motivated. I look forward to a lifetime helping disabled or injured people to maximize their recovery.
Thank you for considering my application to Rehabilitation Therapy at George Washington.
Masters Degree Physical Rehabilitation Therapy
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