10 Trudeau Truths with Physical Therapist Meeghan Bragg

You know them as the educators, caregivers and leaders who work to keep everything running smoothly so that our clients at the Trudeau Memorial Center can have the best experience possible. But what are they like when they’re off the clock? 

Here’s a chance to get a more personal look at the people who make up the team at Trudeau… 10 questions at a time. 

10 Trudeau Truths with Meeghan Bragg

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in human services?

I have always enjoyed helping people. It is such a great feeling to see the happiness that comes from watching someone achieve a goal they’ve set for themselves.   

2. What do you find most rewarding about your job?

3. Can you describe a memorable moment or success story from your time working at Trudeau?

Any time I see one of my little friends doing something independently for the first time is incredible, especially because I see how hard they work to get there. It can take hours of practice over weeks to months (for some, years) to do a skill we take for granted, such as rolling over, sitting up for a few seconds or even taking a step or two by themselves. Since last fall, EI has been able to offer an aquatic group for our littles. The buoyancy of the water changes the way those kiddos move, and we’ve had friends start to crawling for the first time on the floating mat, increase their confidence to try hard skills like jumping (that they weren’t able to do on land) or walk over a pool noodle obstacle on the floating mat by themselves. The pride shown by these littles and their families is beyond compare. 

4. What’s something about people with differing abilities (or working with them) that you wish other people knew or better understood?

That they are people first- their disability or diagnosis doesn’t define them. There is a wide range of abilities in the world, and we should be meeting people where they are and help to make things more inclusive. Just because someone has a diagnosis, it doesn’t mean that the path that they are on will be the same as someone else with the same diagnosis and they should be given the opportunities to try things that work for them, specifically.

5. What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?

6. Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show.

I enjoy a wide range of books and am at the library every couple of weeks for a new read. I have recently gotten into Frieda McFadden thriller books. Most of the movies at my house are action packed- that’s what you get with teenage boys! I have acquired a pretty good knowledge of the Marvel universe over the years.

7. Do you have any pets?

Since buying our own house, we have always had at least one to two dogs. Right now, I have a 6-year-old Flat coated retriever named Scout whom we rescued just as everything shut down in March 2020. My friend across the street fosters dogs and it was a perfect match. Scout is the sweetest- always looking for pets and if you sit on the floor with her, she will make herself comfortable on your lap. Another perk of being a home visiting PT is that I meet a lot of furry family members during my sessions, and most want to be included in the fun.

8. What’s your favorite food?

I love Gregg’s Death by chocolate cake! I usually eat pretty healthy for the most part, but I do have a sweet tooth, so getting a slice of cake to share with my younger son is a treat. Peppermint Patties and Junior Mints are high on the list too. 

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I’d love to go to Ireland someday. I have had family members visit there and have seen beautiful pictures and heard of the many experiences. Being of Irish heritage, it would be amazing to see it firsthand. My in-laws visited quite a while ago and my father-in-law came back saying that everywhere he went, he just kept seeing women who looked just like me. 

10. What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?