On Friday, October 28th, the SDSU Doctor of Physical Therapy Faculty and Student Association hosted an evening with guest speaker Dani Burt (SDSU DPT ‘15). Dani was one of our first graduates from our DPT program. She spoke about overcoming her challenges after a motorcycle accident in 2004 that resulted in the loss of her right leg. After overcoming her challenges and learning to surf with a prosthetic, she became a U.S. Adaptive Surfing Champion in the adaptive stand division and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) here at SDSU. Because of her experience, she was inspired to deliver hope to other amputees and disabled athletes.
“The SDSU DPT Faculty and our San Diego Physical Therapy Community couldn’t be more proud of Dani’s accomplishments and how she consistently goes above and beyond to give of herself. It was important for us to invite her back to SDSU to provide a platform for her inspirational message and, of course, to give us an opportunity to boast a little about one of our graduates. To be able to experience such physical and emotional challenges, then decide to pursue a career in physical therapy, which requires rigorous education and resolve, is extraordinary. She is the epitome of resiliency and benevolence.” said SDSU Doctor of Therapy Program Lecturer Rosalia Arellano.
Dani is so motivated into helping others that she spends her time volunteering in giving free surfing lessons to any amputee, serving as a mentor for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and spending time at Surf Clinics for Balboa Navy Medical Center. She currently works full time as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in acute care at Sharp Memorial Hospital where she was once a patient in rehab. Having Dani speak was a great experience, and we hope that she was an inspiration to those in need of that ray of hope.
To learn more about Dani Burt, check out her website at http://www.daniburt.com/.
