Lehighton physical therapy student hopes to help less fortunate on mission trip

A lifelong dream is coming true next month for one Lehighton native.

Lauren McCullion, a third-year DeSales University student working toward her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, will travel to Zacapa, Guatemala, from Feb. 24-March 3 with Hearts in Motion, an organization providing free health care services to poverty-stricken communities throughout the United States and Central and South America.

As part of the DeSales program, McCullion had to choose from six different special topics to further enhance her skills.

Global health was the only topic that brought with it a chance for a mission trip.

“It’s always been my dream to provide pro bono care to individuals in other parts of the world,” McCullion said.

McCullion was fortunate enough to be one of five students out of 50 to be selected for the mission.

“We’re going to be working on different exercises with them, referring them to other physicians who will be along on the trip and providing safe and sterile medical supplies,” McCullion said. “I’m so excited because the individuals we’ll be helping probably wouldn’t be able to get these services otherwise whether it be because of a lack of funding, a lack of availability or a lack of transportation. I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity.”

The DeSales students are working to get funding for the flights, accommodations and meals while in Guatemala.

McCullion started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with the expenses. Contributions can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/fuguy-medical-mission-trip-to-guatemala.

As of Tuesday afternoon, McCullion had reached $595 of her $1,500 goal.

“The funds will also be utilized to purchase medical supplies for the people of Zacapa,” she said. “Anything above my goal, I will donate to Hearts in Motion so it can continue its selfless mission.”

The students are looking to purchase physical therapy tools such as elastic bands for exercises, reflex hammers, tape measures and goniometers, which measure motion within arms and knees.

“We’re also hoping to get some small weights, anything that can be easily transported from village to village,” McCullion said.

Though it will be her first mission trip, McCullion already has a great appreciation for people who come to the United States from other countries to take advantage of its advanced health care.

Often, especially in the pediatric field, physicians see natives of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and even Africa give birth in the United States and get access to special services they couldn’t otherwise receive.

“In my last rotation, we were able to help a lot of young children who were born with some type of stunted growth or other physical challenge,” McCullion said. “I got to experience different cultures in that way. This trip to Guatemala will hopefully not only continue to humble me as a person, but also allow me a greater experience of their cultural beliefs and help me to be a better practitioner and provide better services.”

Her week in Zacapa is likely far from the end of McCullion’s work in other nations.

She plans to continue doing mission trips and helping future DeSales students when the opportunity presents itself.

“There is an opportunity to come back and serve as a volunteer on future mission trips with Hearts in Motion and I’d love to be a part of that,” she said. “I can’t put into words the gratitude I have for this opportunity. It’s my goal to use the education I’ve worked so hard to receive to give back and impact other people’s lives in a positive way.”