Peytan Dill

Peytan was 15 years old when her world changed forever. Her father suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke in his left frontal lobe. She felt like the world was ending when doctors told the family to say their goodbyes, because he would most likely not survive. 

Peytan credits great doctors, therapists, prayer and constant support from their family for her father’s survival, and when Peytan’s father woke up, his first words were, “Together we are strong.”  

Those words became the family’s driving force throughout his recovery as he had to relearn every single basic task of daily living. Through all of this, Peytan was watching, learning and asking questions from his therapists who never gave up on him and showed him that everything he wanted to attain was possible, even if it was adapted. 

That left an impact on Peytan. As she celebrated her 16th birthday at her father’s bedside, she knew in that moment that she would one day work in occupational therapy and do for others what had been done for her farther. 

Peytan remembers the verse that was displayed on her father’s hospital door that read, “I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see.” She said neither she nor her family could see the road ahead, but 10 years later, she is realizing her dream of working in occupational therapy and is ready to give back, to make a difference and honor her father, her hero, who is here to see her graduate today. 

Congratulations, Peytan. We have full faith that you will succeed in your occupational therapy career.