Meet Sarina Parks, a student volunteer slated to travel with the Operation Walk Los Angeles team on their mission to the Philippines in 2024, and learn why volunteering with our organization is personal.
Introducing Student Volunteer, Sarina Parks
Why I want to volunteer with Operation Walk
“You have scoliosis” is what my pediatrician told me during my annual visit. Three simple words that filled me with great fear. As a thirteen-year old I had no idea how serious this condition was. I came home and started searching the internet,looking for pictures of scoliosis which made me even more anxious as I saw that the progression of the curvature of the spine could result in many complications, including a deformed back, muscle imbalance and pain, if left untreated.
As I started to process what it meant to live with a progressive condition, I began to have scary thoughts about the future of my mobility. Would my scoliosis progress to the extent of what I saw on the internet and leave me with deformity and limited function? I was motivated to do anything I possibly could to slow down the progression. My pediatrician referred me to a specialist and I started physical therapy to strengthen my core muscles. I also decided to join my high school track team to continue conditioning my core and back muscles and stay ultra-mobile. To this day, I have not missed a single day of these strengthening exercises. I committed to training daily with my high school track coach, before and during track season. As a result of hard work, I have been able to share many race victories with my track relay team. Under close supervision of my doctor, I am happy to report that my scoliosis has progressed only minimally, and I am optimistic about the future, as long as I stay physically fit and strong.
As I have faced my own personal health challenge, I have become highly aware of the importance of good posture, physical fitness and taking preventative measures. This challenge has also given me the desire to share my knowledge and personal experience with others. As a part of my Girl Scout Gold Project this year, I plan to run educational workshops for 4th and 5th graders, to teach them about the importance of correct posture. I plan to also show them several simple stretch exercises to include in their daily routine to strengthen their core and back muscles. I chose to work with students who are in the preteen age group so that they learn the necessary skills before they are adolescents. The risk of poor posture is the highest during the adolescent years, due to growth spurts, use of electronic devices and heavy school backpacks. If the preteens learn these skills before they are teenagers, they can prevent a lot of injuries in the future.
In addition to my desire to share my knowledge, I also hope to volunteer in a capacity where I can have a direct impact on someone’s mobility. As a teenager with no clinical skills, I was not sure if this was possible until I saw my dad’s pictures from his recent medical mission trip in Tanzania with Operation Walk. I was inspired when I saw that so many volunteers of different ages and skills came together to restore mobility to those who could not afford it. I realized that I don’t need any special skills, just a desire to help and share my own personal journey.
What started as a scary day in my pediatrician’s office, set me on a path that I had never imagined: I have learned about my health, my body, how to manage my emotions and take control of my condition. I have been fortunate to have access to medical specialists and a supportive high school coach who has helped me every step of the way. I have come to realize that I want to do the same for others who might be suffering from similar challenges. Every day I grow more certain that my career path is in healthcare so that I can help others. I hope that by telling you my story, I have been able to convey how this is not just any volunteering trip, but my passionate commitment to a mission, born from my own personal health and mobility journey. To get a jump start, I plan to go to my local community to spread the word about Operation Walk organization and start collecting gently used crutches and canes, as well as fundraise as much as I can.
– Sarina Parks