“I can look at a patient and see exactly what skills, balance or strength training they need.”
“I’ve been in physiotherapy 25 years. It’s my second career. I was a phys. ed. teacher and I can see the link. I was born in Hong Kong and played volleyball and badminton, so I went to teacher’s college. As a teacher you have to coach athletes and gymnasts. Now, I can look at a patient and see exactly what skills, balance or strength training they need. It’s a talent.
When I came to Canada I was married and had been teaching seven years. I wanted to do something different, so I studied in Alberta as a physiotherapist. I was hired on Abbotsford’s Closer to Home community allied health team.
I went all over: farmhouses, apartments. I’ve been to prison five times. Not personally, for a client with a fractured hip. I like working with seniors and stroke patients. Nowadays we’re involved more in discharge planning: physiotherapy helps them get home in a more timely way.
What’s next? Retirement. I’m getting into classical guitar. I’m learning so I play by ear. I’ll probably try volunteering. I’m handy, I can fix cars, I do woodwork, anything with my hands – but my wife complains I can’t cook; I don’t have the heart.”
- Patrick Leung, Professional Practice Lead, Physiotherapy, Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre