Mya Mulder’s life was shaped by the hands that helped her heal.
Now a second-year student in St. Clair College’s Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) program, Mulder is returning to where it all began: the John McGivney Children’s Centre (JMCC) in Windsor, Ont.
It’s already a place near and dear to her heart, as she received care there as a child. Today, Mulder is completing her student placement at JMCC, learning the very practices that once aided her recovery.
Diagnosed with lumbar lordosis as a child, Mulder faced an uphill battle, regularly dealing with pain and facing physical limitations. Her condition resulted in a 45-degree curve in her spine, and along the way, she dealt with recurring injuries – Achilles strains, hamstring pulls, and countless ankle sprains, to name a few. These injuries became an almost constant presence in her life, but they also ignited her passion for helping others.
“I have spent much of my life in physiotherapy clinics,” Mulder reflected. “But it made me appreciate the incredible work physiotherapists, occupational therapists, OTAs, and PTAs do for people. They play such a critical role in the recovery process, and some people don’t realize just how valuable they are to recovering from injuries or disease.”
Despite the hardships, Mulder said her childhood experience at JMCC was pivotal. The Centre’s care helped her manage her condition, recover from injuries, and build strength. The physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals who supported her journey later inspired her to pursue a career where she could offer that same support to others.
"I’ve known for years that this is what I wanted to do, and my mind hasn’t changed,” she said. “I want to help people live healthier lives by making their physical rehabilitation fun and effective."
Her passion for movement and health stems from her own journey through physical recovery, but more than that, it’s rooted in her desire to be the person others turn to in their time of need.
Mulder's goal is to train athletes and everyday people alike, helping them not only recover from injuries but also learn how to prevent them.
“I’ve seen injuries happen right in front of my eyes, and there were times when I couldn’t help because I didn’t have the skills. I want to change that. I want to make sure that I can be there for others the way my therapists were for me,” said Mulder, who added returning to JMCC as a student is a full-circle moment, one which will begin for her in late October.
Working with the same equipment and devices that at one time were integral in her treatment has reaffirmed her commitment to her chosen profession. It’s a unique opportunity to learn within the walls where her passion was first sparked.
What makes the experience even more meaningful is the fact that her mother, a longtime staff member at JMCC, has been part of the journey as well. Mulder grew up witnessing her mother’s dedication to helping children with complex needs. Now, she shares that same drive, fueled by both personal experience and the deep family connection to the centre.
"My family has always supported me in school, outside of school, and in my sport,” Mulder explained. “I wouldn’t be here without them. And my mom working at JMCC has been a huge part of my journey – it’s been inspiring to see her commitment and passion for helping others."
Mulder will tell you her journey is about more than just a career path, instead referring to it as a lifelong mission born out of personal struggle and shaped by the support she received along the way.
From the hands that once cared for her to her own hands now learning to heal others, Mulder’s journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the desire to make a difference in the fields of physiotherapy and occupational therapy – no matter how big or small.