10 years ago today I walked through the doors of Bonne Santé and began my life in Val d'Isere. At the time, it was early in my clinical career and I was slightly apprehensive about my clinical experience. However, my clinical skills turned out to be the least of my worries. I soon found that I had an apt for treating acute injuries and I was passionate about snow sports. Running a business in France, however posed a whole new set of challenges. I must say, I think my naivety worked in my favour! Had I known the journey I was about to embark on, I may have stuck to just treating patients, rather than running a small business. However, here I am 10 years later with many people to thank for their support and loyalty. 
First and foremost, I want to thank my long suffering husband! He has been my constant source of help and support over the years. He has been my (unpaid) marketing lead, my admin assistant, my secretary, my co-orodinator and my accountant, all on top of his own full time work as well as being a loving husband and father. I could not do what I do without him. I also want to thank my parents and siblings, who have also supported me and guided me on this journey. My parents were a huge help in the early years, teaching me about running a business and accounting, always at the end of the phone when I needed them. My brother Chris is always my port of call for technical issues and social media support - thank you. There are too many people that I am grateful to, to mention everyone individually but I must thank Holly Junak, Clare Angus and Gill Watson who have always been there for me, believed in me and constantly supported Bonne Santé.
In celebration of 10 years of running Bonne Santé, I wanted to share with you some information about previous team members. We often get asked about therapists that have worked at Bonne Santé in the past. I feel proud to have had and continue to have an exceptionally high calibre of physio's as part of the team. Although many physio's have done year after year at Bonne Santé, the nature of seasonal work means that eventually they do move on to more permanent roles.
First and foremost, I must mention and express my gratitude to Sue Reed. Sue established Bonne Santé in 1994. She nows lives in Italy with her family where as well as physiotherapy, she specialises in Craniosacral therapy and Chi Kung. You can find out more about Sue through her website: http://www.ilrespirodellavita.it. Sue is an extremely inspiring practitioner and highly skilled therapist who is still greatly missed in Val d'Isere. Thank you Sue, for handing your hard work and dedication over to me. It has been a pleasure to continue Bonne Santé.
The list below is not exhaustive but I have picked a handful of previous team members to update you on their professional journey's.
- Laura Penhaul: Laura is currently lead physio for GB Paralympics. She has worked with the GB ski team, was part of the medical team at the Vancouver 2010 Para olympics, she worked with athletes at the London 2012 Olympics and she will be going to Rio for the Paraylmpics in 2016. Her lists of professional achievements is huge, however she is currently undertaking an enormous personal challenge. Laura is leading an all female crew of four across the Pacific ocean in a 29ft pink rowing boat! They are raising money for Breast Cancer Care and Walking with the Wounded. Follow their remarkable journey at www.coxlesscrew.com
- Jane Carré (née Hawton): Jane has worked at both the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games and at the British Swiming Chamionships. She has also travelled with GB Bobsleigh. She is currently focused on the GB swim team as she is part of their medical team selected for Rio 2016 Olympics.
- Paul Welford: Paul is currently studying medicine and aims to fulfil his ambition as an orthopaedic surgeon. Although this transition will be a loss to the physio profession, anyone looking for an outstanding physio in London can still find Paul working part time at Pure Sports Medicine www.puresportsmed.com
- Emma Bellew: Emma has become a fully certified APPI pilates instructor and is currently in America looking after the performers of the Cirque de Soleil.
- Helen Saunders: Since leaving Bonne Santé, Helen has been working at Headley Court, treating complex trauma needs of injured military personnel. She has been making a huge difference to the lives of wounded British troops.
There are many previous team members that I am extremely thankful to for their hard work and dedication. Seasonal work is hard work but extremely rewarding. It is a pleasure to work with the residence and holiday makers of Val d'Isere and help to return you to the slopes as quickly as possible, when safe to do so.
I have been very lucky to meet lots of interesting people here in Val d'Isere. I have many patients that have taught me a lot over the years (due to client confidentiality I can't mention you individually, but I hope you know who you are). Heres to the next 10 years of Bonne Santé 'keeping you fit to ski'.
LSA
info@bonnesantephysio.om
Please like us on Facebook to stay up to date with news and developments:
https://www.facebook.com/Bonne-Sant%C3%A9-Physiotherapy-18764571059/
Follow us on twitter: @valdiserephysio
No comments:
Post a Comment