Skip to main content

At the junction of science and the arts, a trip back in time.

Defining Moment Author

Listen to 'Defining Moment'

My siblings and I grew up in a world rich in make-believe.

Both of my parents were musicians and passionate music educators. They employed special little songs to cajole us into bed or the bathtub. Their dinner song beckoned us to the kitchen table, where the entire family sang grace in multiple harmonies, seldom the same way twice.

Our basement doubled as a playroom for us and the music room where my parents taught private lessons. Creativity was our bread, and we were well-fed. My parents passionately believed that arts education develops abilities in reading, writing, and arithmetic. And, indeed, I loved school. Throughout my youth, I struggled to choose between making a career in music and dance or in medicine. I wanted to do both.

Log in or create a free account to keep reading.


Join APTA to get unlimited access to content.


You Might Also Like...

News

FTC Drops Legal Appeals, Abandons Noncompete Rule

Oct 8, 2025

In August 2024, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas permanently barred the Federal Trade Commission's ban on employee noncompetes.

News

PT For Future Me: APTA’s New National Physical Therapy Month Campaign

Oct 1, 2025

October is National Physical Therapy Month — a time to celebrate the profession, spotlight the many benefits of physical therapy, and showcase the impact

Feature

In the Ring: Supporting Athletes in Combat Sports

Oct 1, 2025

Combat sports push athletes — and PTs — to their limits. Learn how PTs apply evidence-based care in unpredictable, high-risk environments.