| It’s
how you respond to setbacks that helps you find out what direction
you’ll take in life.
This was
the case for Mary Brownsberger, a Doylestown resident who
is pursing a doctoral degree in psychology at La Salle University.
Her stepson
was in a car accident that left him disabled. But out of that
tragedy came a positive: “It opened the door to what
I really wanted to do with my life,” she says. Her goal
is to be actively involved in the empowering of those with
disabilities.
Brownsberger
recently received the Bob Eigenbrode Memorial Award, given
by the Pennsylvania Psychological Association to a graduate
psychology student. Among the criteria for the award are “potential
for service to the field and involvement in activities.”
“Even
though she is being educated to be a professional psychologist,
her desire to reach out to those in true need really sets
her apart,” says Dr. Frank Gardner, Director of La Salle’s
Psy.D. Program, who encouraged Brownsberger to apply for the
award.
The Doctoral
Program at La Salle is incredibly challenging, yet Brownsberger
maintains a 3.98 grade point average. Gardner says, “She
works really hard and is involved in so many things. She’s
a true picture of compassion, motivation, and energy.”
She is
also a member of two honor societies, has been elected as
student representative to speak for her fellow doctoral students,
and is a member of the student affiliates of American psychology.
Brownsberger
is concentrating her degree in rehabilitation and neuropsychology.
She chose La Salle for her doctoral studies because it offered
a good combination of theory and clinical practice she was
seeking. She also teaches an Introduction to Psychology class
at the University.
When asked
how she likes teaching, Brownsberger pauses for a moment,
then sighs and says a heartfelt, “I love it! I just
hope to inspire those who are following in the same direction
I once was.”
One of
Brownsberger’s many volunteer activities is with Special
Equestrians, a therapeutic riding facility in Warrington,
Pa.. The program uses horses to facilitate therapeutic activity
for people with disabilities.
Brownsberg
says, “What I enjoy the most is being at the barn and
interacting with the instructors, students and horses. The
students have diverse disabilities. I've worked with children
with autism, adults who are blind and/or deaf, teens with
cerebral palsy, and adults who are brain injury survivors.”
“In 30 minutes, a person’s not just physical,
but also emotional state can become totally transformed,”
she says, “The students are amazing. I've seen some
who were really acting out before their lesson started, even
self-harming. But most of the time, as soon as they're on
the horse, a transformation occurs. Their attention shifts,
and they're able to have a good, productive lesson. Most don't
want the lesson to end after 30 minutes!”
Volunteering
at the barn is just one of the many activities to which Brownsberger
dedicates her time, energy, and heart. She adds, “It
can be physically exhausting work, but so fulfilling for me!”
A typical
day for Brownsberger is filled with teaching, attending her
practicum in the rehabilitation unit of Doylestown hospital,
and her classes afterwards. Her schedule is also filled with
homework and taking care of her home and family.
“Even
when times are tight and the pressure is up, she has the ability
to take that pressure and turn it into something positive,”
says Dr. Gardner. “She really is quite remarkable.”
With all
of these experiences and activities under her belt, Brownsberger
doesn’t show any signs of stopping. She hopes to teach
people interested in rehabilitation careers. And she plans
to keep following her goal: “To empower the disabled
and their families to be as healthy and self-sufficient as
possible.”
--- KATIE WHALEN
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