By Desilon DanielsThey function under the banner ‘University of Guyana Medical Rehabilitation Students’ Association’ (UGMRSA), young people who split their time between studying and making an indelible mark on Guyana.The most senior of them can be found in rehabilitation institutions, not only in Georgetown but also in West Demerara. Each week, they turn out at the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, the Palms Geriatric Home and the West Demerara Regional Hospital to lend their hands to making a difference in the lives of those they interact with. And, each week, they return home, satisfied that they had succeeded in both minor and major ways.From left: Vanessa Wickham, Neil Barry and Jana Edghill are all physiology students and executive members of the University of Guyana Medical Rehabilitation Students’ Association.At the helm of the new association are six young people, all eager to transform their in-class knowledge to real-life changes. They are all under the age of 30 and come from different backgrounds. However, despite these differences, they are all linked by a common goal: to better the lives of Guyanese through rehabilitation services.Three of the six executive members of UGMRSA sat down with Kaieteur News for an interview and shared this goal. The members present were Vice-President,Nike Shoes Womens Clearance, Neil Barry, a fourth year student; Secretary, Jana Edghill,Yeezy Scarpe Italia, a third year student; and Public Relations Officer, Vanessa Wickham, also a fourth year student. They all specialise in Physiotherapy and Barry and Wickham will be amongst the first batch to graduate next year under the revised Medical Rehabilitation Programme which currently offers Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy,Fc Bayern M??nchen Fanshop, and Speech and Language Therapy.During the interview, the trio explained that the association had been conceptualised about a year ago and officially formed this year. Barry explained that the University had a process for the registration of the organisation. This process included students listing their names as members and electing an executive body as well as an association coordinator. This list was finalised, submitted, and the University subsequently authorised the association. Barry added that though the bureaucratic process had taken some time, the executive body had not seen it as a hindrance to the association’s creation.Initially, the association began with 25 students. However, this number grew during a recent induction exercise and saw 35 other students joining the fold. While training was not a part of this induction exercise, training is mandatory as a member of the association. Barry explained that all members of the association receive specialised training courses, organised by the body.“When we do have activities, persons are actually prepared for them. For example, very soon – next month – we have practical sessions with orthopaedic doctors so that students can better understand orthopaedic conditions and how to manage them.” Additionally, he indicated that sessions with medical imaging will be a part of the training to improve the students’ understanding of reading a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In medical rehabilitation, understanding MRIs is a plus since globally the current trend is to use MRIs to identify injuries, particularly sports related injuries.“That’ll help to take Guyana forward in being on par with the way the rest of the world does things.” Eye care sessions for sports accidents are also on the agenda,Nike Air Max Sko Herre, Barry said.Meanwhile, now 55 members strong, the executive members are not surprised that there is full participation by the entire student population of the Medical Rehabilitation Programme. The programme was initially launched in 2010 with four students as the Rehabilitation Sciences Programme but now it is known as the Medical Rehabilitation programme and has 55 members, all of whom are members of the UGMRSA.The executive members shared that their only surprise is at how quickly the programme’s numbers had grown.Barry said, “I think everyone understands the needs for the association and the benefits it could have so that right there has been motivation for all the students.”Edghill added, “That’s also why I don’t think it’s surprising; we, especially as the executive body, have made it clear that it is very important to have an association like this. Our president is always talking about strength in numbers and we believe in that. It’s something that drives this association and we did a very good job of motivating persons to come on board with us.”However, the association does not only have its sights set only on the student body. Rather, they are hoping to extend a hand to other