DAHLONEGA (Oct. 13, 2006) – North Georgia College & State University graduate students in the Department of Physical Therapy will host a car wash on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Auto Zone, 475 Morrison Moore Parkway in Dahlonega. The fundraising event will recognize Physical Therapy Month and benefit the graduate program as well as a Lumpkin County High School freshman student.

Brooke Walker, 15, is the daughter of Roger and Tracy Yonts, the sister of Brittany Walker, and the granddaughter of Ralph and Barbara Anderson and L.D. and Brenda Chester. Brooke Walker was involved in an automobile accident in March, leaving her with major head trauma. After more than a month in the hospital and almost two months of rehabilitation at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Walker came home in June. Stefanie Palma, a doctor of physical therapy who practices locally and serves on the NGCSU faculty, has worked with the teenager since then.

 

Walker’s road to recovery has been a challenge, traveling to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for occupational and speech therapy, Habersham County for speech and language vital-stem services and to the University for physical therapy services.

 

“From Brooke’s days of ventilators and feeding tubes to now walking on a treadmill with the aid of a pediatric ‘lite-gaiter,’ her story is a testament to her dedication of rehabilitation,” said Alison Sedgwick, one of 70 graduate students in North Georgia’s combined master’s and doctoral program in physical therapy. “Since the start of her outpatient physical therapy services, Brooke has provided an incredibly inspirational and educational experience for the physical therapy students.”

 

Christy Eblin, a PT student, says that Walker and other local NGCSU Faculty Practice patients give the students a true picture of the types of patients they will soon see as they embark in their own careers as physical therapists.

 

Now Walker is outgrowing the expensive pediatric Lite Gait Mobility Frame, used to lift her upright onto a treadmill and promote balance, coordination and walking, essential in her rehabilitation.

 

“We hope to raise enough money from the car wash to purchase an adult ‘lite-gaiter,’ which will be more suitable to her size and capable of aiding her efforts to walk.” explained Palma. “This piece of machinery will also benefit future patients.”

 

Students are seeking donations for car-wash tickets. In addition, donations toward purchasing the physical-therapy equipment may be sent to the Physical Therapy Department, Attn:  Brooke Walker Fund, North Georgia College & State University, 82 College Circle, Dahlonega, GA 30597.  More information about Walker is available online at www.caringbridge.com, entering brookewalker in the site’s login box.

 

The NGCSU Department of Physical Therapy is located in the Health & Natural Sciences Building on Sunset Drive in Dahlonega. The department is currently in a collaborative relationship with the Medical College of Georgia’s Consortium to award the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Education. In addition, professors of physical therapy also perform out-patient physical therapy services on the first floor of the HNS Building. For more information about the program, telephone 706-864-1420 or Faculty Practice, 706-864-9192, or visit the Physical Therapy Web site on www.ngcsu.edu

By Kala Gulledge

DAHLONEGA (Oct. 6, 2006) – Completing her bachelor’s degree at North Georgia College & State University was a physical and personal struggle for recent graduate Julie Spriggs.  Four colleges and 11 years after she began her higher education, Spriggs received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice last semester.

Spriggs graduated from South Forsyth High School in 1995 and spent her first semester of college at Georgia Southern University, but felt that it was too large for her.

She moved back to her parents’ home in Cumming and began attending nearby Gainesville College. Then, unsure of what she wanted to do with her life, she took a year off from college and worked various jobs.

Spriggs enrolled at the satellite campus of Reinhardt College in Alpharetta, only to leave soon after and worked more “dead-end jobs.” 

Her family discouraged her from continuing her education because of financial concerns and their desire that she settle down and start a family of her own.

Against their wishes, Spriggs made her final higher education stop at NGCSU in Dahlonega in the fall of 2002, after seven years of school-hopping. The now 29-year-old said she felt encouraged and “cared for” by the North Georgia faculty and staff. 

After suffering a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, Spriggs reluctantly enrolled in the university’s disability services program. She initially felt a stigma attached to being in the program, but Elizabeth McIntosh, who works with the office of Student Disability Resources, helped Spriggs overcome her insecurities and disadvantages.

“She gave me the chance to feel like I wasn’t a disabled student, that I’m a normal person,” said Spriggs

Criminal justice professor John Stuart Batchelder also supported and inspired her.

“I found Julie to be an individual who had remarkable courage and character and am proud that she finished her education,” said Batchelder. “Despite her many challenges, she overcame each obstacle and did so with a smile.”

In August, Spriggs achieved her goal of being a college graduate, graduating with academic honors and with the distinction of being named to three national honor societies.

Spriggs, who resides in Dawsonville, is currently unemployed and seeking a job in the juvenile court system.

“I just want to help those who are less fortunate than I am,” said Spriggs.

“This journey has taken me 11 years. I went through a divorce, a severe car accident and several job changes,” said Spriggs. “I am very fortunate and very proud to say I am a graduate of North Georgia College & State University.”