Ruben Said:

Workers Compensation PD award amount?

We Answered:

Not much - but your lawyer should be telling you that. You won't get reimbursed for your college loans. North Carolina limits partial disability payments to 300 weeks, which is just under six years. You've used up more than half the benefits available under state law, already.

You'll just have to get work in a different field - a desk job doing something.

You have a lawyer. Listen to them.

Jeanne Said:

Would you go to your graduation if..............?

We Answered:

If I were you, I would still go. I knew a lot of people at my graduation and despite that I spent like the entire graduation (before and after) with my family. Its important to your mother and it really is a memory that you will have for the rest of your life. There is seriously a feeling, almost like a weight lifted off your chest when your halfway across the stage, diploma in hand, and you know that your done with high-school forever, no matter what you made it! It is also wonderful for your family to see you and your accomplishments despite all that you have been through. I seriously think you should go, forget those stupid people who weren't there for you, they don't matter. To be honest, i talk to like 1/8 of my friends in high-school and i graduated 2 years ago. Even if they were still your friends, you'd most likely move on anyways. Its not like a bad thing, but people grow up and sometimes part ways. good luck :)

Tiffany Said:

Physical Therapists?

We Answered:

When I went to school, programs were still offered at the BS level as well as the MS level. I was in a program that was still BS that COULD be completed in four years, but most people took five years to complete (one of the reasons why the APTA moved to have all programs at least a master's degree). It did, in fact take me five years as it took me three years to complete the prerequisite courses as a "pre-physical therapy major." The year after I graduated, the program was moved to a master's degree in a three/three format. They didn't add any more classes, just spread it out a little more...which is good because we were literally inclass from 8 until 4 or 5 every day.

The prerequisite phase involves a lot of chemistry, physics, biology, math, and psychology. Once in the program you do have to take gross human anatomy which does involve cadaveric dissection as well as pathology and physiology. You also get to take your courses specific courses where you learn hands on techniques for examination and treatments. There are courses specific to neurology, orthopedics, medical management, etc. It is tough...but it's a different kind of tough because you are (hopefully) learning stuff that is interesting to you.

After I was in practice for two years, I entered a transitional DPT program. It was a 34 credit hour program that took me about 2.5-3 years to complete on a part-time basis. There was more emphasis on differential diagnosis, research and examination procedures. This particular school's entry level DPT is run in a 4/3 format. Most DPT programs are 4/3 while most MS programs are 3/3.

I do enjoy my job...it's something different everyday.

The last salary survery done by the APTA was two years ago which revealed that most PTs were earning between 50-70,000 a year.

Your time in the clinic will vary. Hosptial and inpatient therapists tend to work more typical hours...8-4:30 or 9-5:30. Most outpatient therapists have to work at least two evenings a week.

It's good you are going to shadow, as most programs require this anyway. I suggest you shadow in a couple different settings. You will see that a hospital PT is much different than a rehab or outpatient PT.

I also suggest you go to the education programs section of the APTA website at: http://www.apta.org

Hilda Said:

Should I go to my graduation?

We Answered:

YES!! Your family wants you to and you don't want to miss out on this kind of experience that will happen once in your life (besides college, but thats different). Anyway, have your mom contact the school to make sure its okay, and than go! I'm sure everyone will be surprised & happy to see you since you haven't seen them in a while. You might be worried about how your other classmates will think of you or if they'll make fun of you (because I'm the same way too), but trust me, everything will work out in your favor and people won't even think it's a big deal. So, just go!!