In New York, nine-month-old infant Jayla is working hard to overcome a birth defect with which she was born – with the assistance of a pediatric physical therapist.
The New York Daily News reports torticollis, a muscular disorder that influences an uneven head tilt, is losing against Jayla McClain, who has a twin sister. The disorder was caused by Jayla pressing against her mom's pelvis beginning at the fifth month of pregnancy.
Physical therapist Hadiya Guerrero can tell she's benefiting from the physical therapy along with additional encouragement as she coaches her through a regimen. Guerrero said she gleans much satisfaction from her work, which reminds her of a personal experience with physical therapy jobs. The 35-year-old's younger brother was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and Guerrero recalls observing her sibling's work with a physical therapist, during which time she was drawn to the hands-on nature of the job.
"Bend your knees and pull up … Yes! You're getting stronger but we need to work your right side," Guerrero reportedly told the infant and informed the publication of physical therapy having benefited her younger brother. "When I saw what they did with us, I just fell in love with the hands-on experience."
The median pay for physical therapists in 2010 was $76,310 per year, which breaks down to almost $37 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.