Meet Rebecca!

We are so very excited to introduce you to Rebecca Harper, one of the new additions to our team! Rebecca is a physiotherapist who works with people with neurological conditions including stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and more. Get to know Rebecca a little more in the blog below including why we are going to have to introduce her to Nicole’s cheesecake fast….

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What is something totally random that people won’t know about you?

I started sailing when I was 6 years old and have been sailing competitively since I was 15.

When did you decide you wanted to be a physiotherapist?

I actually decided I wanted to work in Neuro before I decided Physio. In elementary school, a member from the Rick Hasen Foundation came to speak to my school and opened my eyes about the possibilities of recovering after a spinal cord injury. That stuck with me throughout my schooling, though it took me some time to determine what field would best suite me for my career. When I looked into physio, everything clicked, and it made so much sense that this was the right area for me to practice in.  

Which sports are you into?

My top sports are sailing and soccer but have enjoyed track and field and volleyball! I really enjoy trying out new sports with friends and family.

Where did you grow up?

Vancouver

What is your favourite neurological condition to treat?

Hard to pick! I really enjoy treating spinal cord injury and stroke. Working with neuro clients has given me a great appreciation for client’s resilience, determination and motivation which makes treating neuro conditions so inspiring and gratifying.

What makes you happiest?

Being on the water and dog cuddles

LIGHTNING ROUND!!!!!

Cats or dogs? Dogs

Favourite food? Pasta

Favourite dessert: Cheesecake (specifically Brenda’s, iykyk)

Favourite Junk food: Sour candy

Beach or mountains: Beach

Favourite colour: Teal

Favourite music: Pop and indie-pop, but the Hamilton soundtrack has also been stuck in my head for at least a year.

Favorite day of the week? Friday

Nickname? Reb, Rebec, Becca, Becs

Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world or be able to talk to animals? Talk to animals!

Favorite holiday? Christmas!

How long does it take you to get ready? 30 minutes

Invisibility or super strength? Super strength

Is it wrong for a vegetarian to eat animal crackers? No

Dawn or dusk? Dusk

Do you snore? No, but I apparently I make chewing noises

Place you most want to travel? New Zealand

Last Halloween costume? Giraffe  

Favorite number? 11

Have you ever worn socks with sandals? All the time

Would you rather cuddle with a baby panda or a baby penguin? Baby panda

Would you want to live forever? No

What's for dinner tonight? Roasted veggies, mashed potatoes and halloumi.

Meet Aman!

You may recognize Aman Bassi, Interim Physiotherapist, from his time with us in the spring. Aman has officially joined our team, bringing a wealth of knowledge from his Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology at SFU (just watch him and Devon get really excited about microtubules!) and his Master in Physical Therapy from UBC. He has a passion for science and evidence-based approaches and loves a good soccer game. Learn more about Aman below including why he will fight you for the remote on Sunday mornings…

What is something totally random that people won’t know about you?

Something totally random about me is that I have a collection of 4K-Blu Ray movies and am constantly adding to my ever growing collection of super high definition movies.

When did you decide you wanted to be a physiotherapist?

Studying cellular biology, I learned that life itself is an amazing phenomenon. Being in a profession where I can help people get back to their everyday lives, while also being in a field that relies on science to progress, gives me a reason to get up in the morning.

Which sports are you into?

Football (European and American) – Big Manchester United Fan who also will sit in front of the television all day for NFL Sunday.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Surrey!  

What is your favourite orthopaedic condition to treat?

Post Surgical Rotator Cuffs because it allows me to use a wide variety of exercises and manual therapy techniques to treat it.

What makes you happiest?

A cup of coffee in my hand in the morning watching Manchester United beat Liverpool.

LIGHTNING ROUND!!!!!

Cats or dogs? Dogs!

Favourite food? I am a very simple man, pizza and chicken wings.

Favourite dessert: strawberry cheesecake

Favourite Junk food: CHIPS (I consider myself a potato chip connoisseur)

Beach or mountains: Mountains

Favourite colour: A deep purple

Favourite music: Vivaldi’s Spring 1 recomposed by Max Richter

Favorite day of the week? Saturday

Nickname? My Last name Bassi would be the name my friends use

Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world or be able to talk to animals? Talk to animals because I can’t google translate a bark

Favorite holiday? Christmas!

How long does it take you to get ready? To put my clothes on? 47 seconds. To decide what to wear? 47 days.

Invisibility or super strength? Invisibility

Is it wrong for a vegetarian to eat animal crackers? Yes

Dawn or dusk? The quiet of dawn

Do you snore? Thankfully not

Place you most want to travel? Petra, Jordan (because they shot Indiana jones there). Also Hogwarts.

Last Halloween costume? It’s been a while. I think a clown?

Favorite number? #4

Have you ever worn socks with sandals? Yes but they have to be slides

Would you rather cuddle with a baby panda or a baby penguin? Penguin because I grew up with Pingu

Would you want to live forever? No, what makes moments great sometimes, is the fact that we never get them back again.

What's for dinner tonight? Chicken and Vegetables (like I said, I am a simple man)

Meet Chan!

If you didn’t see Chantal Simak, Interim Physiotherapist, running around the clinic in the spring, you missed out! Chan joins our team next week, bringing their effervescent and enthusiastic energy to the clinic. Their passion for all things rehab is obvious to anyone watching and we are so excited to have them! Learn more about Chan below including why we all should be trying to get to their house for dinner…

What is something totally random that people won’t know about you?

I wouldn’t say this is totally random; however, being a part of the LGBTQIA2+ community is a very important aspect of my life. I deeply care about helping and learning how to encourage more conversations about ways to create a more inclusive healthcare environment. I aspire to build a community, collaborating with like-minded allied healthcare professionals who are ready to be active advocates for the LGBTQIA2+ community.

When did you decide you wanted to be a physiotherapist?

I had a mentor who was my soccer coach for the last 2 years of high school.  He was a brilliant Kinesiologist, who weaved his knowledge of exercise physiology and anatomy into the game of soccer. I not only became a better player and teammate because of these interconnections, but I also gained an appreciation for human anatomy and physiology. From then on, I shadowed some highly regarded physiotherapists in the area and quickly realized that physiotherapy is a profession where I can shine. I would have the opportunity to socialize all day, build meaningful relationships and cheer people on for every single accomplishment they make, just as my mentor did for me. I crossed the high school graduation stage with a clear picture of the career I was striving for, but little did I know that the announcer would slip up and say I aspire to be a “psychotherapist,” this had my family rolling with laughter in their seats. I was certain in that moment that nothing other than a physiotherapist was what I was to become!

It is a full circle moment, as it turns out I picked the perfect career. I have the flexibility to continue to explore the world, I get to learn every day and I have the most meaningful, heartfelt conversations with some truly amazing people. I am privileged to be able to serve the community and I hope to lead with inclusion as I actively support clients through every accomplishment and milestone, helping clients build both a strong body and mind. 

Which sports are you into?

My type of self-care often involves facing a fear and in doing so I am eager to continue backpacking, rock climbing, slacklining, road and mountain biking, surfing and backcountry split boarding.  

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Vancouver until I was 10, then moved out to Langley, BC, back then, much of the city was farmland, a very fun environment to be in as a kid!

What is your favourite orthopaedic condition to treat?

I have many! I think shoulders are my favourite followed by knees, and ankles, all of which I, myself, have had problems with in the past.

What makes you happiest?

Surrounded by my nearest and dearest family and friends. My fondest memories are around a fire on the beach, catching a sunset at my favourite spot at Jericho Beach, stargazing in the mountains or simply relaxing in the backyard having a BBQ with some great tunes, company, and belly laughs.

LIGHTNING ROUND!!!!!

Cats or dogs? Dogs

Favourite food? Seafood

Favourite dessert: Salted caramel brownie with vanilla bean ice cream

Favourite Junk food: Anything 70% dark chocolate

Beach or mountains: Mountains

Favourite colour: Rainbow

Favourite music: Last year’s Spotify wrapped says Indie-Pop, but R&B too!

Favorite day of the week? Saturday

Nickname? Too many, here are the less embarrassing Chan, ChanChan, Chanana, Chanterelle

Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world or be able to talk to animals? Talk to animals

Favorite holiday? New Year’s Day

How long does it take you to get ready? 20 minutes tops

Invisibility or super strength? Super strength

Is it wrong for a vegetarian to eat animal crackers? Absolutely not

Dawn or dusk? Dusk

Do you snore? Hah. Hah, ask my partner and her sleep headphones

Place you most want to travel? Peru, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand

Last Halloween costume? Finn from Adventure Time

Favorite number? 2

Have you ever worn socks with sandals? If it’s warm absolutely not; however, follow up question, who doesn’t wear socks with sandals when it is chilly out?

Would you rather cuddle with a baby panda or a baby penguin? Baby pandas don’t peck.

Would you want to live forever? If my partner gets to, too.

What's for dinner tonight? Barbequed maple syrup and garlic glazed salmon with lemon, sundried tomatoes, pan-fried onions, mushrooms, Bok choy and Jasmine rice. (Editor’s note - am I invited?)

Meet Keltouma!

We are so lucky to have Keltouma Nouah join us at Ladner Village Physio for both orthopaedic and pelvic floor physiotherapy! This multitalented, multilingual woman recently moved with her family from Ottawa to the West Coast. Learn more about Keltouma and how you definitely want her on your side in a fistfight.

What is something totally random that people won’t know about you?

I speak 5 languages and hope to learn 2 more!

When did you decide you wanted to be a physio?

I decided to become a physiotherapist during my last year of my undergraduate studies. My dad had a severe low back injury and needed a driver to his physio session (that was me!). I took him to every session and learned so much about physiotherapy. I fell in love with the holistic approach to health.

Which sports are you into?

I love martial arts! I played competitive Tae-Kwon Do growing up, and now do kickboxing twice a week.

Where did you grow up?

This is a complicated question. I was born in Quebec City, and lived there for 5 years, then moved to Montreal and lived there for another 5 years. I then moved to Ottawa with my family and spent 20 years there. In 2020, I moved to my current home in Richmond, BC.

What is your favourite orthopaedic condition to treat?

Neck pain ! It's so common and such a pain to have! 

What makes you happiest?

Spending quality time with my family and friends!

LIGHTNING ROUND!!!!!

Cats or dogs? Cats

Favourite food? Chicken skewers

Favourite dessert? bingsoo or cheesecake

Favourite Junk food? fuzzy peach

Beach or mountains? beach

Favourite colour? blue

Favourite music? anything latin

Favorite day of the week? Friday

Nickname? too many to list

Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world or be able to talk to animals? Speak every language

Favorite holiday? Eid

How long does it take you to get ready? 5 minutes 

Invisibility or super strength? super strength

Is it wrong for a vegetarian to eat animal crackers? nope

Dawn or dusk? dawn

Do you snore? never

Place you most want to travel? Morocco

Last Halloween costume? cleopatra

Favorite number? don't have one

Have you ever worn socks with sandals? yes! What else do you wear at a cottage?

Would you rather cuddle with a baby panda or a baby penguin? baby panda

Would you want to live forever? no

What's for dinner tonight? lasagna