MUSC DPT student Chloe Boroff supports adaptive water ski clinic for neurologic disabilities

For Residential DPT student Chloe Boroff, the clinic served as a powerful reminder of what physical therapy is all about: helping people get back to the activities they love.

As third-year physical therapy students, we had the opportunity to participate in an adaptive water sports clinic with a local nonprofit, Adaptive Expeditions. During this clinic, participants with various neurologic disabilities had the opportunity to water ski, tube, kayak, and paddleboard. Growing up loving lake days and water skiing with my family, I knew the event would be fun, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it would impact me. I realized this experience reflects what our profession is truly about.

I spent the day on the deepwater team, working closely with the water ski participants to help them build independence in the water and support them whenever they fell. I was inspired by the patience, resilience, and determination of every participant, especially one recovering from a spinal cord injury. His goal was to sit ski for the first time without outriggers (smaller side-skis that act like training wheels on a bike, helping with balance). This was a challenge for both of us, as this was my first time helping with deepwater starts and his first time challenging his balance in a new way. He fell into the water many times, and we learned that the slightest push off center could ruin the whole start.

Every time I swam up to him after he had fallen, I was expecting him to be discouraged, disappointed, or even upset with me. To my surprise, each time I got to him, I was met with grace, determination, and a huge smile. His positive attitude gave me the encouragement and confidence to keep trying again. With lots of pointers from our volunteer boat drivers, jet ski drivers, and my professor, Dr. Sara Kraft, he was able to get up and have multiple several-minute rides! This was so rewarding for both of us, and it showed me the importance of patience and time when trying something new with a patient (or in any aspect of life).

I am excited to take this experience with me into my clinicals and practice, remembering that a patient and clinician’s attitude and work ethic can really affect outcomes. After graduation in May, I hope to practice in upstate South Carolina, either treating pediatric populations, neurologic populations, or both! I am so excited to find opportunities to support adaptive sports in the Greenville, Spartanburg, or Anderson area, and hope to help create a day like this on Lake Keowee or Hartwell in the future.

Ready to help people return to the activities they love? Start your journey with MUSC’s Residential DPT program.

About the Author
Chloe Boroff, SPT
MUSC DPT Class of 2026