Tell the readers more about yourself.  What is Shaista’s background and why physiotherapy?

Growing up in Greytown, a small town just outside of Pietermaritzburg in KZN where physiotherapy was unheard of, I had the opportunity to explore the concept of physiotherapy when given a primary school project to research and present as career. Me being the person that I am, decided to do something that was extraordinary and of course I chose physiotherapy. That was when the seed was planted. The roots started to grow a few years later after seeing my grandfather make tremendous progress after suffering a stroke. He was very determined to get well and was very religious with following his exercises that the physio team had set out for him. It was from then that I knew that's what I really wanted to do. 

You have arrived to one of the biggest cities in the World?  How has your stay been like so far in Dubai?

Its been and amazing journey so far. Learning about different cultures and people and of course getting to taste some of the most amazing foods (my job after I retire, a food taster) 

You have a postgraduate in Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT).  Many physiotherapists aspire to get that qualification and you have in the bag.  Explain to the readers, what exactly is OMT?

OMT also know as neuromuskuloskeletal physiotherapy, encompasses looking at the patient as a whole. It's is based on scientific and clinical evidence, focusing on the biopsychosocial framework of the individual. In other words it focuses on taking every factor into account when dealing with a patient, not just focusing on the structure. Thus providing the most effective outcome for the patient. 

You are WSMC newest consultant, what does that mean to you?

It would be a cliche to say it's been a dream come true to work in such an established practice with physiotherapists that are passionate about taking our profession to the next level, but it has really been a dream come true. I have been following WSMC for a while, after my colleague and friend Renaav Singh had joined the team. Keeping up on his adventures around the world has inspired me. WSMC has given me the opportunity to travel abroad and see different parts of the world, something I never thought I would never achieve in this lifetime.

COVID_19 has brought a halt to many professions around the world.  What positives have you learnt out of the Panemdic?

No doubt that the pandemic has affected the entire world negatively, but it has taught me to be grateful for the lives that we have and not to take anything for granted and to make most of the time we now.