In the second installment of the SPD Professionals’ Day series and in conjunction with World Physiotherapy Day on 8 September, we catch up with SPD Therapy Hub physiotherapist Hu Jia Hao whose love for sports motivated him to volunteer his expertise to support local para-athletes at sports events.
It was a tough fight between the Singapore and Thailand Boccia teams at the ASEAN Para Games earlier this year.
Cheering at the sidelines, the team’s volunteer physiotherapist Hu Jia Hao witnessed first-hand the para-athletes’ triumphs and disappointments.
What stuck with him was the strength and mental agility of these athletes in the face of setbacks.
“My most memorable takeaway was seeing our Boccia team bounce back from a tough loss against the Indonesian team to put up a good fight against the Thai team, who was the eventual champion,” he recalled.
Jia Hao is a physiotherapist with SPD Therapy Hub. He works with a diverse group of clients in various community settings such as day rehabilitation centres, community care centres and sheltered homes. A sports lover since young, it was a natural decision for Jia Hao to volunteer his expertise as a physiotherapist at sports events.
How does physiotherapy help persons with disabilities?
Physiotherapy is a treatment to restore, maintain and make the most of a patient’s mobility, function and well-being, so that they can reintegrate into the community as much as possible.
“I believe in the power of sports to bring people together, promote inclusivity and inspire individuals to achieve their best potential. It is also my way of giving back to the community,” said Jia Hao.
The ASEAN Para Games 2023 was Jia Hao’s second major sports meet as a volunteer physiotherapist, his first being the ASEAN Deaf Games last year. His role involved ensuring the health, wellbeing, and optimal performance of the athletes under his care through “injury prevention, pre-competition preparation, onsite medical support, and post-competition recovery.”
Photo credit: Alfie Lee.
Physiotherapy can be likened to the training that para-athletes undertake, in that it is a process that takes time, dedication, and active participation from the clients.
“Physiotherapy is not a quick fix, but it often provides long term benefits,” he said.
Both volunteering stints proved to be a rewarding experience for Jia Hao, who is encouraged to see para-athletes from all over the ASEAN region overcome their disabilities to come together to compete at the highest level. “It reaffirmed my belief in the power of sports to bring people together, break barriers and create a more inclusive society,” he said.