Photo By Sgt. Trevares Johnson | Daniel Fuentes (right), a physical therapy assistant with the Mendoza Physical Therapy...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, TEXAS – When discussing an encounter with a patient who suffered a “catastrophic” head injury, Daniel Fuentes, a physical therapy assistant at the Mendoza Medical Clinic, fought to contain his tears.
Fuentes helped the patient rehab from a traumatic head injury that facilitated countless hours of training and recovery. Years later, the patient spotted Fuentes in a grocery store and rushed to give his thanks and appreciation for Fuentes’ efforts during the recovery.
“He ran towards me,” Fuentes said as his eyes began to water.
The patient remembered when he couldn’t walk and attributed his recovery to Fuentes’ treatment.
"That encounter had a huge impact on my career as a physical therapist," Fuentes said. The joy that patient exuded is a feeling that sticks with him now while he rehabs Soldiers in his ‘Return to Sport physical therapy’ class.
“It’s a higher-level course for soldiers that have had surgeries, post-op injuries,” Fuentes said.
He explained, the Return to Sport class “bridges the gap” between soldiers in recovery and being fully ready for duty.
The Army physical therapy program at Mendoza Medical Clinic rehabilitates more than 200 soldiers each year who need aid in pre-operational therapy, or recovery from post-operational surgery as well as lingering effects from other injuries. “Physical therapy is all about getting you to recover from your injuries,” Fuentes said. “Whether it’s strengthening, mobility, or stretching there are a lot of people that don’t know how to stretch, so we’re there to educate.”
U.S. Army Sgt. Jeremiah Stocker, an artilleryman assigned to 6-1 Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division attended the course following knee surgery after he tore his meniscus. Stocker attributed the success of his recovery to the physical therapy program.
“This program is outstanding,” Stocker said. “It’s pushed me to do more physically than I could do beforehand.” Soldiers participating in the program receive education on how to perform exercises effectively without risk of further injury. The priority is quality of movement and range of motion to better suit a patient’s needs, Fuentes said.
“I want them to know that with a class like this they can be confident, they can get back in the gym,” said Fuentes. “If they’re out in theater, they are able to take care of their battle buddies without having to worry about being injured.”
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2022 17:11 |
| Story ID: | 430896 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS , TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | EL PASO, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | PUEBLO, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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