PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games Help Revitalize Resident’s Enthusiasm for Medicine

By Danielle Saenz, MD

Over the course of PM&R residency I have grown a strong interest in adaptive sport, so I naturally follow the Paralympic Games on social media. In December 2017, I noticed a posting for a competition sponsored by the International Paralympic Committee and Samsung to be a Paralympic “super fan blogger” which required a video submission in response to the prompt “Do What You Can’t.” I saw the posting and immediately knew that this opportunity was made for me because of my interest in adaptive sports, my background in video editing, and my knowledge of function and biomechanics of adaptive athletes. During my next shift on call at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, I rounded up the nurses, CNAs, and physical therapists to help film my application video. I edited the video over the next few days with feedback from a few trusted friends and then anxiously waited to hear back from the review committee. This contest truly aligned all of my interests (adaptive sport, travel, video editing, etc) and I am so glad grabbed the opportunity and ran with it.

I was beyond excited when I heard I won the opportunity to be a guest blogger at the PyeongChang 2018 winter Paralympics and the entire experience was absolutely the trip of a lifetime. I was there for a total of twelve days, which allowed me attend everything from Opening Ceremonies to Closing Ceremonies. The International Paralympic Committee was a wonderful host and graciously provided access to all of the venues so I was able to attend a wide variety of the sporting events at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games. While attending the different events I would then create a video blog with the lens of a physiatrist and focus on either biomechanics, prosthetics or athletic performance. While on my trip I won the Best Blogger Award for blogger with the most views. I am happy to report that my rehabilitation focused video blogs on the topic of sit ski biomechanics and amputee snowboarding captured 93K views and 91K views respectively.

The Paralympic Games exhibit world class athletes and successful rehabilitation medicine for everyone involved. The athletes, family members, coaches, staff, and prosthetists are a team that makes up a group of global activists to support anyone living with compromised physical abilities. As a whole, the Paralympic movement is helping to create lives that are thriving with optimal function. As a physiatrist, I am leaving this experience grateful and motivated to be a part of the Paralympic movement and I more dedicated now that ever to help my patients achieve their highest goals. If you are looking for a way to revitalize your relationship with medicine, I highly recommend a trip to support the athletes in future Paralympic Games. You will not be disappointed.

For a full list of the videos visit: https://www.paralympic.org/pyeongchang-2018/samsung-bloggers/danielle-saenz

PyeongChang 2018 Samsung Bloggers — Danielle Saenz https://www.paralympic.org/pyeongchang-2018/samsung-bloggers/danielle-saenz