The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) has presented the 2018 Paul Kevin Burberry Award to Lindsey Woosley. Woosley is a doctoral student in physical therapy at UK and is completing HDI’s Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities.
Woosley is a member of the Kentucky and American Physical Therapy Associations and she has worked to support federal legislation related to patient access and Medicare reform. She has also worked with patients and practitioners on issues related to opioid use and addiction. She has helped to develop social inclusion opportunities for young persons with disabilities that expand their networks beyond their families. As a volunteer in a horse assisted therapy program, she got to know a young man with communication and mobility issues. Her friendship continued beyond the program and she informally developed a system of communication that surpassed the work that paid professionals had created, impacting and improving his quality of life.
Last year, Woosley received a grant from the Department of Education to prepare related service personnel for rural employment. As part of this project, she focuses on educating rural communities to improve the quality of life for pediatric physical therapy patients. She not only brings in funding and develops programs, but nurtures relationships with community members and seeks out persons who would benefit from a variety of supports that address physical, social and emotional needs of traditionally underserved populations.
The annual Paul Kevin Burberry Award honor is given to a student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to people with disabilities, academic excellence, and the leadership qualities exemplified by Burberry’s own life. It is named in memory of the Berea native who was the first student with significant physical disabilities to graduate from Berea Community High School. He went on to Berea College and UK, as a philosophy major. While a student at UK, Burberry worked with HDI to create training modules to train medical and allied health students on developmental disabilities. Though his life was cut short before graduation, he was posthumously awarded his UK degree with highest honors in 2004.
Ramona Carper, assistant professor in physical therapy sums up Woosley’s drive to create positive change. “After reading about the life and accomplishments of Mr. Burberry, I believe he and Lindsey would have enjoyed each other’s company and would have spurred each other to creatively address the challenges of those around them.”
