E97: Physical Therapy Student Joe Bernardo

On this episode of HealthMatters, Joe Bernardo Jr. speaks on his experience as a Physical Therapy student at Boston University and his practicum experience.  Joe's Bio: My name is Joseph Bernardo and I am a third year physical therapy student at Boston University. Prior to my enrollment at BU, I completed a Master's degree in Exercise Science and a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences, both from Merrimack College. I have participated in several clinical experiences thus far during my education at BU, all occurring in the outpatient orthopedic setting, which is where I anticipate my practice will begin once I graduate in May. I enjoy treating a variety of patient populations and presentations, with a particular emphasis on runners. For most of my life, I have been a person who stutters and I often struggled to find my voice in social situations, due to experiences of bullying as a child. I have firsthand experience with the underlying anxiety and sense of hopelessness that can arise from the negative social interactions and stigma that an individual who stutters can experience on a daily basis. My goal for this project is to provide education, real-life experiences, and communication strategies revolving around the stuttering condition to my classmates and the general public, so that individuals who stutter may experience less stigma and a strengthened therapeutic alliance when seeking physical therapy care, as well as a reduction in the stigma these individuals can experience during every day social interactions.