about the project.
4.18.19
This project was born out of a musing during my first year of PT school at Washington University in St. Louis. Amidst the toughest part of the program, I was working hard to complete Spring One coursework, and spending over eight hours a day sitting in class with my classmates. Yet, I felt so disconnected from these people I sat next to every single day. I wondered if they shared my dreams, hopes, insecurities, fears. I wanted to know what made my classmates tick, what made their eyes light up and glisten, what made them bounce with excitement. I wanted to hear those candid, vulnerable thoughts that make us all human.
So I decided to find out.
Over the next two years, in between Kines I and PISD IV; between anatomy labs and heart-pounding practicals; between clinical rotations; in times of rest and times of push-push-push; over coffee on Sunday mornings; in quiet living rooms and farmer’s markets and out on the waves; and during always-too-short lunch breaks, I interviewed my classmates and recorded the beautiful conversations that come from intentionally slowing down. At a later point, I transcribed the interviews and selected excerpts; and took portraits of these classmates that captured their essence, their spirit.
This is the culmination of that two year project. It has been the most patient and meaningful project I have ever undertaken. Enclosed you will find twelve stories. Stories about resilience, managing stress in school, wrestling with mental health. Stories about parenthood and growing up. Stories about loss and hope. Stories about the things that make us feel alive. They are vulnerable, brave, real. They are little glimpses into the life of a PT student.
To PT19, thank you for pouring your hearts out for the world to see. To friends, family, and staff who knew about this project, thanks for your support and stoke along the way.
Proudly, earnestly,
Vincent Ann
Class of 2019
Addendum: When I first started this passion project two years ago, I envisioned a charming little wall display and thought maybe a few close friends and classmates would enjoy it. Two weeks ago, I presented this project in my program in an art gallery format, and was met with a response that overwhelmed and challenged me. So many of my faculty and peers reached out to me and shared their tears and heartfelt reflections; shared the impact of seeing these souls put to pen and canvas.
The life of a PT student is…difficult. It is relentless, and often very isolating. Don’t get me wrong – I wake up every day knowing I am doing what I love; and that I get to help people in the most meaningful way I know how. That is a beautiful thing. But I think any grad student in any profession or discipline can relate to how hard this journey is. My goal for this project was to promote a greater sense of community and dialogue in my program to make this journey a little easier. And I have come away from this experience wholly and resoundingly affirmed that my peers and faculty share these values.