HCO has partnered with the WSU Exercise Science Program to create an internship for students in their last semester of this academic program. This internship is designed for students to assist individuals by developing and implementing exercise programs that allow them to maintain or gain in strength and function. The intern evaluates current abilities and goals of the individuals, becomes familiar with current exercise regimens (including physical therapy routines), and develops exercise plans that correspond to each person’s abilities while providing in-person support, guidance, and motivation.
In January of 2023, Jess Sullivan began as HCO’s first Exercise Science intern in this new collaboration. Jess shared this about his experience:
When I first started working at HCO, one of the individuals I was lucky enough to work with was Brady. He has Cerebral Palsy, which affects body movement and muscle coordination. This has left him in a wheelchair and dependent on others for care. Through my internship, I was able to take him to the YMCA and work with him in the pool a few times throughout the week. I didn’t understand right away how important these trips are to Brady. I realized that bringing him to the pool it is one of the few times that he is able to freely move and walk around without help from someone else. Brady looks forward to going to the YMCA – singing and dancing in the car on the way there, smiling and laughing in the pool when being splashed by others, and simply blowing bubbles when he gets to walk himself around.
Although CP has made some things more difficult for Brady, he still enjoys the little things in life. One of the things my internship has taught me is how important it is to be grateful for every opportunity we have.
Brady has been unable to regularly use the pool at the YMCA for the last several years because of COVID and staffing shortages. Because of Jess and this internship, Brady was able to resume an activity he loved that improves both his physical and mental health. We were also thrilled to be able to provide Jess with an amazing experience to help him advance his educational and long-term career goals!
HCO has internships available for students across a wide range of disciplines.
If you are interested in interning at HCO or would like to join our team in supporting our friends and neighbors with disabilities,
select one of the links below to learn more.