I'm crowdfunding so that I can secure vital medical equipment to provide Physiotherapy treatment to people who need it in Vietnam.

Hello!

My name is Kimberley and I am a Physiotherapy student from Plymouth University. I am currently in the final year of my degree  and am hoping to start working in the NHS after graduating this summer. 

I was born in Chelsea, London (no I'm not rich!), and moved to Ivybridge, Devon 16 years ago with my grandparents. I went to Ivybridge Community College and from 16 I worked in various jobs and supported myself. At the age of 20, after a family member was diagnosed with health conditions and needing extra support and rehabiliation at home, I  realised that this was what I wanted to do so I went about getting the qualifications I needed to apply for the degree programme. I started my degree at Plymouth University in 2011 and have had a few family health complications, which has delayed the completion of my degree but I would do it all again in a heartbeat! 

Physiotherapy Experience

My degree includes theory and practical lectures, with practice placements in NHS hospitals throughout the degree. we cover a range of topics including elderly care, learning disabilites, neurological conditions, cardiorespiratory conditions and musculoskeltal injuries and conditions. 

In addition to academic modules we have access to extra-curricular opportunities and I have been able to gain extra expereince with:

• Plymouth University Raiders
• Plymouth half marathon
• Parkinsons UK exercise groups

I enjoy all aspects of physiotherapy but have a keen interest in amputee rehab and hope to eventually work with either an armed forces rehabiliation team or in a specialist vascular NHS unit which are both very different specialities with different challenges to overcome. 

Physiotherapy encompasses a wide variety of treatments and aims to enable people to maintain mobility and independance. Different aspects of treatment include:

• Strengthening
• Stretching
• Postural correction
• Improving balance
• Reducing pain
• Re-education of correct movement patterns
• Rehabilitation after surgery
• Improving chest clearance techniques and decreasing work of breathing
• Improving exercise techniques
• Improving walking and mobility
• Rehabilitation after amputations due to infections, trauma or malignancy

Why Vietnam?

I am spending my last "summer holiday", before stepping into my long term career and future, in Vietnam volunteering as a Physiotherapist.  I will be based within a hospital but I am planning on spending my free time out in the community, reaching those who can't afford or access treatment in a hospital and hopefully working with charities who support these people. I hpe to be able to provide treatment to a wide range of patietns with a variety of health and mobility difficulties. 

I will be sharing my knowledge and skills as a UK taught Physiotherapist with others who have learnt from different backgrounds and cultures. This will also allow me to improve my clinical practice and enhance my treatment of patients when I return to the UK to work within the NHS. 

I have chosen to go to Vietnam as there is so much history and culture as well as a variety of developed and developing areas within the coutry. There are a wide range of patients that need help including people with:

• Leprosy 
• Typhoid
• Malaria
• Tuberculosis
• HIV
• Aids
• Victims of War & Landmines
• Neuological pathology
• Orthopaedic difficulties & surgeries
• Cardiac pathology
• Respiratory pathology
• Cancer

This is where you come in...

I need some assistance to fund certain aspects of my trip such as purchasing rehabiliation and assessment equipment to take with me. 

Equipment I am planing on taking includes:

• Goniometers (to measure joint movements)

• Balance cushion

• Theraband (resistance band for strengthening)

• Tape (for offloading and supprting joints/muscles)

• Reflex hammer

Thank you in advance for your support - every single pledge will be a huge help towards securing this vital equipment!

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about my trip, please feel free to message me for any more information.

I can't wait to get started with this adventure!