It has been for 21 years since I have moved to the US. It is half of my life. I cannot believe that it has been for such long time. It did not seem like it though. I initially planed to live here for several years…
When I moved to Iowa City with speaking little English, my goals were graduating from The Univ of Iowa and being an ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified). My plan was then going back to Japan.
However, I had a fortunate opportunity to be a graduate assistant at DePaul Univ in Chicago. I earned a master’s degree from there. Then, I had a great opportunity to be a full time athletic trainer at UIC. I worked there for ten years. Sports medicine and human body have fascinated me and have had me keep learning. While I was working there, I went to a school to be a naprapath and became a doctor of naprapathy.
Then, I started own business Performance Integration in downtown of Chicago about three years ago. I really like what I do now. I provide my knowledge and skills that I learned as an athletic trainer to my patients that are from professional athletes to elderly people.
I still have kept learning such as PRI (Postural Restoration Institute), DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization) and others to help my patients and to satisfy my interest. I want my patients to get better and to achieve their goals.
Who thought I would be here for 21 years? Who thought I would start own business in the US? Nobody, including me. I have been able to come this far because I have had a lot of help from my family and friends both in Japan and the US. My family and friends always have encouraged me. My classmates helped my lack of English. My co-workers helped my work when I needed.
I have been fortunate to have those people around me. I would like to tell them that thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it.
It has been a long journey. My journey still continues and I will keep moving forward.