HSU PT Program Partners with Disability Ministry for Summer Mission Work

Each summer, the Hardin-Simmons Doctor of Physical Therapy program partners with Joni and Friends, a disability ministry that strives to equip churches to care for families with individuals affected by disabilities.

PT students from HSU are trained to be short-term missionaries at Family Retreat, a week-long getaway for these families hosted by Joni and Friends. Trained PT students were paired with each camper and attended activities with them, allowing their families to attend programming and be encouraged throughout the camp, as well. Families enjoy times of worship, activities, and Bible-based teaching throughout the week.

“The HSU Doctor of Physical Therapy program is extremely thankful for this partnership with Joni and Friends that allows our students to serve these families at camp,” shared Dr. Jill Jumper, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy. “First of all, it gives these students the opportunity to use their skills and knowledge to be the hands and feet of Christ, which is our primary goal here. Second, they obtain insight into the world of families with disabilities that would be difficult to experience in the clinic alone. Watching these entire families praise the Lord in everything they do and serve each other without complaint 24 hours a day is a life-changing experience for all of us, students and faculty included. These families are superheroes in our book!”

Physical Therapy students in HSU’s graduate program participate in a Professional Seminar that uses a core curriculum called “Beyond Suffering.” Before their work as short-term missionaries at Family Retreat, Dr. Mark Armstrong leads the PT students through the course, which breaks down societal misconceptions of disability, explains the history of disability, teaches theology of suffering and service, and trains students how to listen well to others. The students participate in lectures, discussion groups and write reflection papers on disability and suffering.

“Our short-term missionaries tell the campers that they are created in God’s image and learn to appreciate the unique gifts and offerings each camper brings. After spending five full days with their camper, they learn just how much their camper is a person just like they are. The joy and acceptance throughout the camp is unbelievable,” stated Dr. Armstrong.

Parker Johnson, a second-year HSU PT student from Oklahoma City, shared that this week was not only impactful regarding his view of individuals with disabilities, but also gave him skills that he hopes to practice within his career as a physical therapist.

“During my week at family retreat, I learned to see the soul of an individual and not just the body it is housed in. Working with individuals with severe disabilities demonstrated that sometimes the people with the most broken bodies have the most beautiful souls. For some of the individuals at camp, spoken communication isn’t an option, but that doesn’t mean they cannot communicate.  Sometimes a smile or an explosion of laughter says so much more than our words ever could,” Parker shared. “I hope to carry this into my practice as a physical therapist. I desire to see and interact with souls and not just bodies. I gained a new appreciation for the power of a smile, and I was witness to Christ-like unconditional love during my time at Family Retreat.”

The HSU Physical Training program utilizes FundHSU to help raise money for its students. If you are interested in donating, visit their Fund HSU page.