Featured #GateWayGrad Heather Day-Neutill
As Heather Day-Neutill finishes up her time at GateWay, she looks back at a road full of perseverance and triumph. One of the biggest challenges she faced came several years ago, after a horseback riding accident left her back badly injured. She had to move back home and had seven additional surgeries in just 18 months to repair all of the damage. At the time, she was enrolled at the University of Tennessee and was unable to complete her degree.
With her surgeries finally completed and behind her, she decided it was time to head back to school. Because of her experiences, she wanted to choose a field in which she was able to share her passion for helping others. She landed on the Massage Therapy program at GateWay Community College.
When asked about her time at GateWay, she had this to say, "GateWay and the staff have contributed to my life in many ways. Without the understanding and compassion of Michael Tapscott (Massage Therapy Program Director) and Mark Ybarra (Instructor), I would not be completing the Massage Therapy program. When I had to have a third shoulder surgery, I was unable to use my left arm. They made accommodations so that I could continue in the program. Mr. Tapscott and Mr. Ybarra have also re-sparked my love for learning and have given me the motivation and support to pursue higher levels of credentialing and specialty certificates. GateWay has afforded me the opportunity to go back to school, which at my age (31 years old), I was honestly unsure I would actually do."
In the future, Heather will be taking the Board Certification for Massage Therapy as well as the Specialty Certificates in Sports Massage and Clinical Rehabilitative Massage. She was also accepted into the PTA program at GateWay Community College and will start in May 2020. She plans to build an Aquatic Rehab and Wellness Center in Arizona in the next 5 years, and eventually, would like to complete a bridge program and obtain her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Congratulations Heather!