UNE student shares inspiring story for national physical therapy campaign
Elizabeth Sprague ’19, a student in the University of New England’s Health, Wellness, & Occupational Studies program, shared her inspiring story of overcoming a debilitating illness as part of a campaign with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Sprague began experiencing fainting spells at the age of 12. Her symptoms progressed to widespread chronic pain and she struggled to get a definitive diagnosis and effective treatment. She credits her recovery to the treatment she received at the Mayo Clinic Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Center, where doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, cognitive and behavioral therapists and nutritionists worked with her every day to get healthy. “The pieces were beginning to come together,” Elizabeth said in an interview with APTA. “Physical therapy was the thing that helped me the most.”
Now, at UNE, Sprague is studying Health, Wellness, & Occupational Studies with plans to someday become a physical therapist herself. She shared her story as part of APTA’s “Move Forward” campaign.
To learn more about the University of New England’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit www.une.edu/wchp
To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions