My name is Dave Aznar, and I am a Physiotherapist by trade. I have known Jon and his family since elementary school, and I am encouraged with the opportunity to serve our seniors and veterans. As an outpatient clinician with 22 years of experience in the field, I have worked with both communities at length in helping them recover from various injuries and enable them to improve their quality of life.

I’ve been blessed to have given multiple opportunities to progress in my career through various continuing education courses. In 2019 I completed a post graduate training program which allowed me to become a Diplomat in Osteopractic Physical Therapist. As an Osteopractor, I specialize in spinal manipulation, dry needling, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, and differential diagnostics for diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. 

In my profession, the goal is to improve a patient’s activities of daily living. As a Christian, I am called to have compassion towards everyone and see that the need is more than a physical one. I’ve been blessed to work with many people for months at a time, often seeing them 2 or three times a week. Some have come back over the years for other ailments. As one can imagine, we share lots of stories about our lives during those sessions. And the experience has led me to see that there is a need for connection.

My clinic is located in Norfolk, VA, which also happens to host the largest naval base on the east coast. Both veterans and their families have walked through our doors, and one of the hardest realities I’ve come to understand is that they are often left behind after their service is over. The healthcare system and the VA is not an easy system to navigate, often resulting in years of neglect for ailments that could be addressed and resolved before their symptoms progress towards further disability. 

Similarly, senior citizens may also be forgotten. My clinic, prior to recent renovations, had been attached to a recreation center that had focused on Senior Wellness. Many of my patients would either come from that community or we would direct them next door upon completion of their program. I’ve listened to countless elderly men and women who struggled with loneliness and depression because their physical health had waned and limited their ability to leave their home. Unfortunately, they often lived alone and did not have family nearby or had friends who could visit. 

These are not topics that are generally taught in school. I’ve made it a point as a clinical instructor and adjunct professor for Old Dominion University to teach my students and interns that we need to treat people, not just a diagnosis. People are hurting in more ways than just the physical. 

As a Family Group leader for my church, our fellowship has taken the opportunity to serve senior centers, nursing facilities, and elderly communities over the years. It is a blessing for myself, my wife, daughter, and son to participate in these service projects with our church groups. Sometimes we even bring our dog, Freedom, along when we can. The jiu jitsu academy I attend is a part of the We Defy Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves combat veterans coping with military connected disabilities. Some of my teammates and best friends are retired veterans who practice with me on the mats. 

These experiences have been a great eye opener for me, and God willing I will be able to encourage others to see the same needs and help these communities connect and restore their dignity.