Mira Kvame: Columbia County Health System
Physical Therapist Chuck Williams Helps Kids with Athletic Injuries
On any given day you may see Chuck Williams at a football practice or game in either Dayton or Waitsburg. Chuck works through the Columbia County Health System in several outreach programs as our local physical therapist. He is currently working with both football teams to assist players with current injuries, return to play assistance, sideline counseling and appropriate care. Chuck gives players someone to call after practice with a question and serves as a role model. Coaches are allowed to focus more on all of the kids and teaching the game.
For collision sports like football, hockey, and wrestling, the general standard is to have someone with medical background to help make educated judgments when an injury occurs, rather than just sending a player back out with a "You're okay." Chuck says he has seen athletes with injuries ranging from a jammed finger to a concussion.
Chuck believes sports should be a fun experience. Although football may be a group sport, kids learn that their individual best is also for the success of the group. He has fond memories of his time in sports and the friends he made while playing. At 16 Chuck was injured playing football and he missed being with the team. Later he spent time with the football team in college, and then decided to major in Physical Therapy.
Chuck's interest isn't just in football. Since arriving in Dayton two years ago, he has conducted internships with both girls and boys. Internships include, for example, teaching athletic taping. In the program interns learn how to tape, and the benefits, detriments, cost effectiveness and alternatives to taping. Another program has been ACL injury prevention for girls. Students learn the anatomy of the muscle, physiology, and healing process.
Chuck supports CCHS in community service and enjoys his part because he believes the kids deserve it. He worked in Vale, Colorado as the rotational therapist for the US Women's Ski Team for the Primary Women's World Cup and Olympic Speed Team. Through that experience, he brings valuable expertise to our community.
Chuck has had a busy two years while here. He and his wife had a baby boy, Davis, in September. He is contracting with the Dayton Schools, on behalf of CCHS, for Occupational and Physical Therapy for special needs children 1-2 days a week. And he has also started another two students in the internship.
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