Meet Connor

Empowering Independence: A Spotlight on Connor at Dreams With Wings

At Dreams With Wings, we believe every person deserves the chance to live a life filled with purpose. For our participants, that often means having the right support to move, grow, and stay active — both in our day programs and out in the community. That’s where Connor, our in-house physical therapist, comes in. His approach to therapy goes beyond exercises and mobility; it’s about building confidence, celebrating progress, and finding joy in every step forward.

Spotlight on Connor Hicks, Physical Therapist

We sat down with Connor to talk about what makes physical therapy at Dreams With Wings so special.

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DWW: Last month was PT Appreciation Month. How does physical therapy fit into your work here at Dreams With Wings?

Connor: Well, first, a little background. I came from a world where I was working with people who might have injured themselves running or had outpatient surgery on a knee, shoulder, or foot. It was more of a rehabilitation role — treating musculoskeletal injuries.

Here, it’s different. Many of our participants aren’t dealing with specific injuries. It’s about function — helping people with everyday activities: stepping out of a van, walking safely, or participating fully in day program activities and community outings. My focus isn’t on what’s “wrong” with them, but on what I can do to build on their strengths and improve their functionality.

DWW: That seems really aligned with our mission of empowering people to live a life of purpose.

Connor: Exactly. And it’s so rewarding when you see it in action. I remember going pumpkin picking with some participants — helping them navigate vines on the ground. For someone like Tina, who was the first client I worked with and has since graduated from therapy, she’s now able to stand longer, walk more confidently, and even continue exercises on her own. Seeing those moments of independence is incredible.

DWW: Do you worry about skills regressing after participants leave therapy?

Connor: There’s always a risk, sure. Focused therapy sessions are more effective, but once someone graduates, I still check in. The beauty of being in-house is that I can chat with participants daily, answer questions, and offer supplemental exercises. Even if they’re no longer on my caseload, I can support them — and those small wins, like leaving their cane behind for a day, are huge.

DWW: Is this kind of in-house therapy common in day programs?

Connor: Not really, from my experience. Most programs don’t have therapy staff just down the hall. We’re fortunate at Dreams With Wings to have an outstanding team — occupational therapists, behavioral specialists, speech therapists. Everyone works together, so if a participant needs therapy, it’s right there, easy to access, and part of their daily routine.

DWW: Do you try to make exercises fun or interactive for participants?

Connor: Absolutely. Some participants need incentives or gamification — like turning exercises into competitions or offering small rewards. Everyone is unique, so I get to know their personalities and motivations. For some, like Judy, they’re naturally motivated. For others, we need to be creative to make it enjoyable and relevant.

DWW: Has that been a challenge for you?

Connor: It has sparked creativity, for sure. In outpatient therapy, people come in because they’re in pain — motivation is clear. Here, many participants don’t feel pain, so we focus on long-term benefits, like being able to stand longer in church or navigate stairs safely. Seeing that progress over time is incredibly fulfilling.

DWW: That makes sense. And having this in-house must make it easier to track progress and adjust exercises.

Connor: Definitely. I have access to staff, participants, and records, so even if someone struggles to communicate their needs, I can piece together a plan. It’s challenging but also rewarding, because it makes me a better clinician.

DWW: You’ve got a challenging position, but equally as rewarding, right?

Connor: Oh, way more rewarding. The challenges push me to be more creative and to value each client’s perspective. Sometimes I’ll ask someone to do something that seems simple to me — like stepping over a cone — but I have to remember that, for them, it might not be simple at all. Maybe they’ve had a fall in the past and are afraid of navigating obstacles. Maybe they haven’t done something like that in years — even a decade. And for some participants, especially those who are not neurotypical, movement isn’t always straightforward. What feels small or easy to me might be a huge accomplishment for them. Working here has made me more introspective. It’s taught me to look at things from each person’s point of view — and honestly, that’s something we should all do more often as humans. So yes, it’s challenging, but in the best possible way. The challenges here aren’t about dealing with grumpy patients or difficult doctors. They’re about becoming a better clinician — and a better person — so I can better serve the people here. And really, those challenges are rewards in themselves.

DWW: That’s incredible. It sounds like you’ve found a really meaningful fit here.

Connor: I feel very lucky. The team, the participants, and the mission make it a wonderful place to work. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues, and every day brings an opportunity to grow — both professionally and personally.

At Dreams With Wings, we’re proud to have Connor on our team — not only for his expertise, but for the compassion and creativity he brings to every session. His work reminds us that progress isn’t just measured in steps or stretches, but in the freedom and joy those steps bring.