Physical therapist leads cancer survivors, advocates to finish line
In 2005, when Susan Dubb agreed to complete a half marathon in honor of her father who had passed away from cancer, she knew two things: she wanted to walk in memory of her father, and she needed to raise money. She wasn’t quite prepared for everything else that came along with completing those coveted 13.1 miles.
Susan was completing the race as part of the “Strides for Hope” team to raise money for the Cancer Support Center Delaware (formerly The Wellness Community). The CSC covered the costs associated with the race, including travel, hotel, registration, and food…and one other important thing: a physical therapist.
“When they began telling us how to prepare for the race, we got a ton of information on training and fundraising,” Susan said. “They also mentioned that there was a physical therapist to help us out if we needed it.”
Paul Schweitzer, a physical therapist at ATI Physical Therapy’s Pike Creek office, had agreed to create training plans for each person, provide any injury care and rehabilitation, and participate in the actual race to get every person across the finish line. It was no small task – many of the participants had either finished cancer treatment or were in the midst of treatment while training for the race.
Susan began training for the race but one day, as she walked around the path at a local park, she took a wrong step.
“I just stepped wrong on my left leg,” Susan said. “I heard the crunch but just continued walking and figured I’d be fine. Not the case! I went on a short trip later that day, and my leg proceeded to blow up. I knew I needed some help.”
It was a Sunday morning, and Susan put a call in to her race director to ask her what to do. The race director suggested she contact Paul. Even though it was a Sunday, he agreed to meet her at his Pike Creek office, and by noon, he was evaluating her knee.
“He got me through that race,” Susan said. “He found me a knee brace, worked with me for the next eight weeks to recover, and looked after my knee during the race. I was so thankful for him.”
Seven years later, Susan is still thankful for Paul. Now the Special Events Director for CSC, she puts together a Strides for Hope team to run a race each year to raise funds for the organization. Paul is still at her side, developing training plans for each person and helping to rehabilitate them when they’re injured.
“This year, we took a group to Disney to race,” said Susan. “We had a woman who was currently going through chemo but was determined to participate in the race. Paul walked alongside her and insured that she made it to the 5K marker. He got her there.”
Because of Paul, Susan said she just can’t recommend ATI enough.
“When one of my walkers or runners is hurt, I tell them to go see Paul,” she said. “My husband and daughter have both gone to ATI for therapy, too.”
In 2013, Susan will lead a team to the Half Moon Bay Half Marathon and 5K in San Francisco. Anyone can join the Strides for Hope team and walk/run in memory of a friend or relative with cancer.
“It’ll be another crazy ride, but thank goodness for Paul and ATI,” Susan said. “I know the team is in good hands with them.”