Faces of U of T Medicine: Sofia Provad
What got you interested in physical therapy?
I became interested in physical therapy after experiencing a neurological condition in the second year of my undergraduate degree. During my recovery at a neurological rehabilitation facility, I was inspired by my physical therapist’s kindness, empathy and extensive knowledge of the nervous system. I met patients who had various diagnoses and we shared in each other’s successes and setbacks. It was their resilience and perseverance through their rehabilitation journey that left such a strong impact on me.
After returning to school, I became motivated to learn more about neurological conditions and the human body’s incredible ability to adapt and recover after injury. My goal was to gain the knowledge and skills needed to help others in their journey to recovery.
My interest was further fuelled after learning about the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, which refers to the ability of the brain to change and adapt throughout the lifespan. Physical therapy applies our current understanding of anatomy, physiology, neuroplasticity and exercise to help improve the quality of life of others. As a result, physical therapists have been able to help individuals with various levels of ability return to activities that are meaningful to them. This is by far the most fulfilling and rewarding part of the job.
What will you remember most about your time in the program?
The most memorable part of the program was the people. I had the opportunity to learn alongside students who are so passionate about the field. I look forward to carrying these friendships forward as we all begin careers in different settings and areas of practice. I am also grateful to have been mentored by committed and compassionate therapists, including my clinical internship instructors and the physical therapy faculty at U of T.
You were involved in the Wheel Dance Program. What is Wheel Dance, what was your role and what were some of the best parts of that experience?
The Wheel Dance program is a one-of-a-kind program in Canada that has multiple components.
It provides subsidized social and competitive wheelchair ballroom and Latin dance classes for individuals with ambulatory disabilities and their dance partners in the GTA.
Wheel Dance has led the development of the first Para DanceSport classification system. This is a critical step for legitimizing wheelchair dancing as a sport in its own right. Standardized classification allows para-athletes to compete in groups based on their activity limitations which minimizes the impact of impairment on performance results. In other words, classifications are essential in Para Sport because they prevent the least impaired athletes from always winning. Instead, judges are free to focus on criteria such as timing, choreography, rhythm, musicality, and charisma.
I became involved with Wheel Dance earlier this year after a physical therapist who volunteers with the program ran a workshop for the U of T Physical Therapy students. My role with Wheel Dance has been as a volunteer standing partner. More recently, I was trained to become a Para Dance Sport Classifier and assisted with classifications at the Canadian Wheelchair DanceSport competition this past October. My favourite part so far has been dancing with the athletes during the weekly dance classes and watching them perform at the national competition. It was exciting to see their growth over several months of dance training come together in their outstanding performance!
Why did you become interested in the Accessibility Icon Project and bringing it to the Rehabilitation Sciences Building at U of T?
The Accessibility Icon Project is a grassroots initiative developed by people with disabilities, their family members and allies. It is an example of design activism which aims to introduce a new, more dynamic symbol of accessibility for physically accessible spaces. In the current symbol, an individual sits passively in their wheelchair. In the new symbol, the individual is active and on the move. Symbolism is a powerful way in which our culture communicates ideas and norms, and one of the goals of using this new symbol in the Rehabilitation Sciences building is to provoke thoughtful discussion around how disability is represented and perceived in the community. I think it is especially important for rehabilitation science students to have this conversation since many of the individuals we work with have disabilities. So far, the new signs have only been mounted on the physical therapy floor. My next step will be contacting other departments in the building with the ultimate goal of mounting new signs throughout the entire building.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
If you are interested in healthcare in general but are not sure which field you would enjoy most, get as much exposure as possible. Shadowing or volunteering at clinics and hospitals near you will provide more insight into whether you would enjoy working in this field. In my experience, academic coursework can be very different than clinical practice. If you are considering physical therapy, shadow a therapist! I would also encourage students to look into different types of physical therapy: cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological. While there is overlap in all three fields, each is unique in its own way.
Faces of U of T Medicine introduces you to some of the interesting people studying in the Faculty of Medicine. From advising political leaders to providing care to Toronto’s most vulnerable populations, our students are making an impact on communities at home and around the world.
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