Joseph Munoz, Physical Therapy Assistant
Good evening, my name is Joseph Anthony Munoz and I first saw the light of this earth on October 30, 1995. I was born and raised in El Paso, TX as an only child in the hands or a single mother. When I was in third grade, my mom was diagnosed with schizophrenia and my aunt received the role of full guardianship over me.
My education was initiated at Crockett Elementary School where I earned A-Honor Roll for my entire elementary life. Furthermore, my learning forged ahead at Armendariz Middle School where I excelled throughout my middle school years. I carried the achievement of A-Honor Roll with me from elementary to middle school which enabled me to procure a ranked placement into Transmountain Early College High School. There I derived the distinguished achievement award at graduation. I then proceeded and attended UTEP fall of 2014. During that time, my mother became ill and was also diagnosed with hyponatremia due to diabetes/increased fluid intake and was hospitalized. As a result of her downfall and the need of personal finances, I made the decision to depart from college career to be able to work and care for my mother. Soon after, my mother’s eyes closed eternally and my world was turned upside down.
As the sand fell through the hourglass of life, I pondered upon returning to college to pursue a medical profession. During this time my aunt required a total knee replacement which needed extensive physical therapy. Observing her recovery with physical therapy, it opened my eyes and ignited my passion for the profession itself. Fortunately, I was accepted into the EPCC Physical Therapy Assistant Program Fall of 2017. Applying for the EPCC Physical Therapy Assistant Program has been one of the best educational decisions I have made to enrich my path to success.
During this time frame, there was going to be obstacles holding back from attending school which was my financial situation. Fortunately, my counselor at EPCC told me about Project ARRIBA and how they helped those with no other financial means finish their degree. I went to an orientation and soon after to my intake process. Thank God I was accepted into Project ARRBA. This alleviated so much of the stress that would be to come with the education that I wanted to receive. Taking a step towards the finish line and the journey in becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant has been challenging yet rewarding. I know without a doubt, this experience could not have been possible without the support of God, my family, Project ARRIBA their sponsors, my teachers, and classmates.
I am so thankful to first of all God for giving me the opportunity to be able to qualify for Project ARRIBA, my case manager Estela who has helped me not just with the financial portion of my education, but also the emotional support where my head was all over the place because of the demand of exams/schoolwork and study time. Thank you to the Project ARRIBA staff for being so supportive not just with myself but with all participants and give all of us the opportunity to continue our education. To all the funders that support Project ARRIBA I thank you as well because you have impacted my life/career for years to come and have changed my life. I know my mom would be proud of me for pursuing my hopes and dreams because as my mother she would only want the best for me. Thank you once again to everyone who has made this possible for me.
My education was initiated at Crockett Elementary School where I earned A-Honor Roll for my entire elementary life. Furthermore, my learning forged ahead at Armendariz Middle School where I excelled throughout my middle school years. I carried the achievement of A-Honor Roll with me from elementary to middle school which enabled me to procure a ranked placement into Transmountain Early College High School. There I derived the distinguished achievement award at graduation. I then proceeded and attended UTEP fall of 2014. During that time, my mother became ill and was also diagnosed with hyponatremia due to diabetes/increased fluid intake and was hospitalized. As a result of her downfall and the need of personal finances, I made the decision to depart from college career to be able to work and care for my mother. Soon after, my mother’s eyes closed eternally and my world was turned upside down.
As the sand fell through the hourglass of life, I pondered upon returning to college to pursue a medical profession. During this time my aunt required a total knee replacement which needed extensive physical therapy. Observing her recovery with physical therapy, it opened my eyes and ignited my passion for the profession itself. Fortunately, I was accepted into the EPCC Physical Therapy Assistant Program Fall of 2017. Applying for the EPCC Physical Therapy Assistant Program has been one of the best educational decisions I have made to enrich my path to success.
During this time frame, there was going to be obstacles holding back from attending school which was my financial situation. Fortunately, my counselor at EPCC told me about Project ARRIBA and how they helped those with no other financial means finish their degree. I went to an orientation and soon after to my intake process. Thank God I was accepted into Project ARRBA. This alleviated so much of the stress that would be to come with the education that I wanted to receive. Taking a step towards the finish line and the journey in becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant has been challenging yet rewarding. I know without a doubt, this experience could not have been possible without the support of God, my family, Project ARRIBA their sponsors, my teachers, and classmates.
I am so thankful to first of all God for giving me the opportunity to be able to qualify for Project ARRIBA, my case manager Estela who has helped me not just with the financial portion of my education, but also the emotional support where my head was all over the place because of the demand of exams/schoolwork and study time. Thank you to the Project ARRIBA staff for being so supportive not just with myself but with all participants and give all of us the opportunity to continue our education. To all the funders that support Project ARRIBA I thank you as well because you have impacted my life/career for years to come and have changed my life. I know my mom would be proud of me for pursuing my hopes and dreams because as my mother she would only want the best for me. Thank you once again to everyone who has made this possible for me.