Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 11-29-19

Local
Magic Johnson Draws Large Crowd At Cyrus Greene Park
A large crowd gathered at Cyrus Greene Playground recently when popular former athlete and businessman Magic Johnson stopped by. Retired professional baseball player Gary Sheffield, Mayor Jane Castor, Councilman Orlando Gudes, Pastor Jones, of Heaven Destiny Church, who sponsored the event, Ms. Tamara Shamburger, Hillsborough County School Board member, and others prepared to distribute turkeys. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUNSON).
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Natalie Williams grew up assisted with the care of an uncle who was a disabled vet- eran.
So, it’s fitting that recently she was named the newest president of the American Ki- nesiotherapy Association, a professional organization for those who provide rehabilita- tive therapy using techniques that were developed during World War II to quickly re- turn soldiers to battle.
Williams, a Tampa resi- dent, previously was presi- dent-elect and secretary. She now assumes the presidency position following the 500- member organization’s na- tional conference.
In her new two-year role, Williams will help shape the direction of the group’s mes- saging and outreach. Increas- ing awareness of the profession is very important, said Williams, who has been a practitioner for 11 years.
She initially studied psy- chology in college, but switched to kinesiotherapy after learning about it from a friend. She now works at a local veteran’s hospital.
“I’ve found a very reward- ing career,” she said.
Kinesiotherapy often is confused with its more com- monly known counterpart, physical therapy. But there are significant differences be- tween the two practices.
Physical therapy treats physical ailments with a focus on preventative care. Kinesio- therapy is a combination of therapeutic exercise, recondi- tioning, and physical educa- tion.
Kinesiotherapists “em- phasize the psychological as
NATALIE WILLIAMS
well as physical benefits of therapeutic exercise for reha- bilitation,” according to the organization’s website.
“We are more exercise- based and take a more holis- tic approach,” Williams said. “We treat the entire body.”
Kinesiotherapy can be ex- tensive, such as teaching paraplegics and quadriplegics to drive. And the practice in- cludes an education compo- nent for caregivers, she said. Williams said the organiza- tion also will pursue partner- ships to grow the profession and expand programming.
Perhaps the most chal- lenging task that lies ahead for the organization is fight- ing for kinesiotherapy serv- ices to be reimbursed on par with physical therapy serv- ices. Whereas physical ther- apy can be for a short, specific period in a patient’s care, ki- nesiotherapy is useful at every phase of recovery and care, Williams said.
“We treat acute through death,” she said. “We go on the journey with the patient.”
Learn more about kine- siotherapy at www.akta.org.
American Kinesiotherapy Association Elects New President
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
It wasn’t Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s first visit to Tampa and he promised it wouldn’t be his last.
But, from the hundreds of people who gathered recently to see him at Cyrus Greene Park, the basketball legend asked for promises in return: go to the doctor and make good health practices a prior- ity.
“Our community – we have to get healthier,” John- son said. “We have to do things better for our health.” Johnson’s appearance in town was courtesy of the Pop Up Pantry, hosted by Heaven Destiny Church and Simply Healthcare. After a brief speech and prayer, the former point guard for the Los Ange-
les Lakers and now prominent businessman stayed to help hand out hundreds of turkeys and groceries. He also signed autographs and gave hugs.
Johnson’s words and deeds meant a lot to both the organizers and the crowd, said Tom Jones, pastor of Heaven Destiny.
“We really appreciate him coming and giving his time,” he said.
Joining Johnson at the event was hometown hero and retired professional baseball player Gary Sheffield, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, City Councilman Orlando Gudes, and Hillsborough County School Board member Tamara Shamburger.
Each offered some words of encouragement and uplift tar- geted to the dozens of youth in attendance.
“We’re here to make sure you realize your potential,” said Castor. “The whole com- munity is behind you. We’re here to make sure you’re suc- cessful.”
Sheffield began his re- marks on a sentimental note. “This is my hometown,” he said. “This is where it all started for me.”
Now, it’s about being an “in- fluence” on the next genera- tion,” he said.
“We want to inspire these kids to be something,” he said. In addition to receiving food, visitors also could get free healthcare information
from an array of vendors.
The goal was to let resi- dents know that they are cared for and appreciated, Jones
said.
“We just want East Tampa to
have that pride,” he said.
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