University of New England

Nexus

PT on Pointe
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Student Pursues her Passions

Like most college students, University of New England students choose majors based on their passions, and they have outside passions that enrich their life. And sometimes, if they are lucky, those two things coincide.

Cristal Cooper ’08, a student in the doctor of physical therapy program in the College of Health Professions, is passionate about ballet. A dancer since she could practically walk, Cristal began her formal ballet training at the age of eight when she and her mom decided it was time to work with professionals.

Growing up in Baltimore City, Maryland, most public schools, including her own, did not offer dance as part of their curriculums, so Cristal had to use much of her free time after school to attend classes. She continued to dance through high school and during her undergraduate years at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where she graduated a year early.

During college Cristal decided to double-major in dance and physical therapy after noticing a direct link between the two studies. Cristal developed bursitis and tendonitis on both of her Achilles tendons, injuries that prevented her from being able to dance. Because she was a dance major, most of her classes were physical in nature and she couldn’t simply sit on the sidelines. Cristal went to see a physical therapist to help her return to dancing, but because of her increased flexibility and her background as an athlete, she and the therapist had difficulty finding exercises and stretching that could help her. It was during this process that Cristal realized she wanted to study physical therapy. “I wanted to help dancers,” she explained. “Because I have a dance background, I thought that if I got the training, I could incorporate the two.”

After graduating from the University of Maryland, Cristal focused on applying to graduate schools, “as far away from my home as possible.” She applied to UNE, a school more than 8 hours from her home, as well as schools even farther away, in Florida and San Francisco. After receiving a call from Michael Sheldon, director of the Department of Physical Therapy at UNE, and visiting the Westbrook College Campus to look at the facilities and program, Cristal made the decision to attend UNE to get her doctorate in physical therapy.

Cristal officially enrolled last year and is enjoying her time here, both at the University and in Maine. “The people here are great. The faculty members are fantastic,” she said. She is also excited about having a director like Sheldon who stays connected with the students. She stresses that any time a student has a problem or concern, he will listen and do his best to find the answer.

In addition to her studies, which include four classes this semester, this past July Cristal was chosen as one of four apprentices to study with the Portland Ballet. During the nine-month apprenticeship, Cristal attends classes on Saturday and Sunday for free and is invited to participate in many of Portland Ballet’s performances. After the nine months are up, the company will decide whether to hire her and the other apprentices for paid, permanent positions.

Cristal has already performed in several Portland Ballet productions. This past December, she participated in the production of the Victorian Nutcracker. Unfortunately still having problems with her Achilles tendons, Cristal was unable to take any roles that required her to dance on point, but she still participated with a small role in Act I, and as one of the Spanish dancers in Act II.

This spring, Cristal also danced in Carmina Burana, a full-length piece by Carl Orff that was performed in conjunction with the Choral Art Society. Although the piece is “really hard…it’s very long” and the choreographer required the dancers to practice the moves over and over, Cristal loved the experience. “Somehow it was still fun. I don’t really know how that happened. But we still got through the rehearsals laughing.” She has also been asked to participate in “Portland Dances,” where choreographers from the area create dances that are performed at Portland High School.

Cristal intends to continue dancing, even when her training at UNE moves into clinicals. She is required to do three clinicals beginning this fall, each 14 weeks, in order to graduate with her doctorate. There are few clinical sites in Maine for UNE PT students, but Cristal is excited about the possibility of going to sites as far away as Colorado or Arizona. She is also adamant that wherever she goes, she will find a place to dance. “It is so important to keep it up…to keep it in my body,” she said.

It is clear that Cristal has great passion both for her studies at UNE, and her dancing. With the knowledge she possesses of the human body, both from her study of physical therapy and through her dancing, which requires intense focus on her own body and its capabilities, Cristal’s future as a physical therapist looks bright. Using her own experiences as a dedicated athlete, she will be able to help others in new and innovative ways.

by Sarah Day

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