A little bit of ego never hurt anyone...

Sometimes, well, a lot of the time, I am not the nicest person to myself. I tend to beat myself up a lot. I have some scientific basis - we took a personality test in RA training, and one of my reoccurring traits was self-abusive -ok, not so scientific, but still proves the point. So what do I do when I'm feeling my lowest? I make other people tell me how great I am. That sounds narcissistic, maybe it is. But before you go thinking I'm some sort of crass a-hole, let me elaborate. I don't exactly walk up to the nearest person and demand a compliment of some sort - as fun as that may be, it is still socially unacceptable by most cultural standards. No, instead of that, I go back and read letters of recommendation that people have written for me over the years. As pathetic as it sounds, I don't think it's a bad idea. We can all use a pickmeup sometimes, and someone isn't always there to offer that to us. If you haven't done it before, I'm telling you to try it. Recommendation letters are written (usually and hopefully) to make you look like a really great person (and hopefully you are.), so this is usually the best place to find nice things written about yourself! Let go of that little self-centered guilt you might feel at first and just enjoy the letter for what it is: a positive representation of yourself.

Today, I really needed that uplifting feeling I get from a letter of recommendation. I was feeling a little doubtful about the competitiveness of my graduate school application and decided to go ahead and read one of the best (in my opinion) letters of recommendation that was written about me. To further indulge my egotistical side, I have posted it below for you, the blogosphere, to enjoy and feel good about me too!

August 15, 2011
To Whom It May Concern:

I would highly recommend Theodore DeChane (Ted) as a student for your Physical Therapy program.  Ted initiated coming to observe in the school setting where I worked.  He was professional and followed-up on his request.  When he observed with the severely impaired students, he took in that observation and asked if there were other chances for further observation not only with my students but also with other student groups (i.e. the Early Childhood Special Education students, students in the general education setting, etc).  Ted was eager to learn whatever he could from his observations.  He has a great curiosity and desire to learn more about the field of physical therapy and all the different settings in which a physical therapist can practice.

Ted was very relaxed and comfortable with the severely impaired students with which I work.  It was a joy to watch him interact with the students, help with their therapeutic play and joke around with those who could.  He was eager and willing to help with their play therapy and asked appropriate questions.  I was touched and surprised by the ease with which Ted interacted with the severely impaired students.  Most students who have come to observe at the MOISD are taken aback and intimidated by the severity of the students’ impairments.  Most prospective PT students tend to stand back (often against a wall), watch what I do, and get out of there as soon as possible.  Ted, on the other hand, was relaxed, interacting with the kids, and eager to help when able/appropriate during the therapy sessions.  The kids really took to Ted and enjoyed having him there to interact in their way with.

I was also impressed with the approach Ted took when deciding on Physical Therapy as an occupation.  Ted has looked into various medical fields and potential careers and has ruled out many, based on what they do and what his interests/strengths are.  He is not your typical student who is young and interested in PT “because they were injured in sports in 7th grade” or simply “because I like to work with people.”  I believe Ted will continue to use his discerning thought processes to help him become a strong physical therapist who has the critical thinking skills that are a necessity in our field.

Ted may not be the student with the highest grade point average who is applying to your school, but he has traits that are so important in our field.   So many of the students that I have seen have high grade point averages but sometimes are lacking in other critical areas of self-awareness, critical thinking skills, compassion and empathy.  As you know Physical Therapy is both an art and a science and Ted has demonstrated the ability to find that balance between the two.  Ted will also be a strong team-member not only in your program but also in the field.  He is flexible and able to adapt to change easily and is a hard worker who is eager to get involved and do his share of the work.

I strongly recommend you consider Theodore DeChane for your Physical Therapy program.  I would be happy to have him as a co-worker in the future and believe you will feel the same when you have the pleasure of getting to know him as well.

 Pretty great, huh? That's really all I needed to post about - it is late and my shift is more than half finished now! (yay). So enjoy yourself once in a while - go read a recommendation letter!