My calling for the healthcare field began when I was 20 years old, prompted by a personal experience that revealed a recurring need in my community. At that time, my mother was facing an illness that required injectable medication, since oral treatment was not producing the expected results.
However, in our community there was no nearby access to this type of service, which made timely care difficult. That situation made it possible to identify a significant gap in access to basic healthcare services, motivating me to train in this field with the purpose of helping others who face similar conditions.
In response to that need, I began a training process at FUNDAP’s Technical School of Health, specifically in the Community-Based Rehabilitation course. Throughout that process, I acquired knowledge in human anatomy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, which allowed me to develop the technical skills needed to apply rehabilitation therapies. This includes the proper use of physical agents — such as hot and cold compresses — as well as the care of various conditions that require functional recovery.
The goal of this training has been to strengthen my capabilities to contribute to the comprehensive rehabilitation of patients, supporting their recovery and their return to the activities of daily life and work.
I currently live in the community of San José La Máquina, where access to healthcare services is limited and concentrated mainly in basic care centers, with insufficient coverage in physical rehabilitation. In this context, I have put into practice the knowledge I gained at FUNDAP, providing services under the Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) approach. This model brings care closer to people with different health conditions, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities, through home visits and direct accompaniment.
Through this work, we have been able to support patients in their functional recovery processes, helping to improve their mobility, autonomy, and quality of life. One example is the case of Mrs. Lilian Gómez, who shares:
“In 2025, I suffered an illness that made it impossible for me to walk. I was referred to Ms. Caty, who accompanied me throughout my rehabilitation process. Thanks to the therapies I received, I was able to walk again, move with greater ease, and return to my daily life.”
This work has not only had a positive impact on the health of the people I serve, but it also represents a source of dignified income, helping to support my family. At the same time, the high demand identified across different communities reinforces the importance of continuing to build capacities in the healthcare field.
With that in mind, I remain committed to continuing my training and specialization, with the goal of expanding the services I can offer and responding more effectively to the needs of the population, contributing to the well-being and development of my community.
