Whatever Scott Morel is asked to do, he does it with vim, vigor, and zest.
He lives to “Make Better Lives.’’
With every playing of – and dancing to – “Loco-motion,’’ “Sally Up-Sally Down,’’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’’ NSYNC’s “Bye-Bye-Bye,’’ and countless other tunes, Morel, Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Muscatine, Iowa-based (Cedarwood) Clinic’s Swiss Army Knife, is all smiles.
The music is a constant – and a wonderful – tug to Morel’s heart.
“What I’m doing with our older patients – and I have trained athletes for years – completes me, gives me that next important mission my heart was searching for,’’ said Morel, fighting back tears, whose formal Rock Valley title job title is “Performance Enhancement Coordinator.’’
“It – the dancing part – makes a difference in the lives of our patients – and some others we are reaching – and it gives me great joy to see them getting better with a fun activity. The rewards are huge.’’
Morel’s foray as Cedarwood’s geriatric conditioning coordinator, began as a way to enhance therapy for a single Cedarwood Parkinson’s patient, Muscatine, Iowa’s Elaine Bates, the wife of Roger Bates, the legendary Muscatine Journal Sports Editor.
Since, Morel – and Rock Valley – have entered dance-therapy/geriatric conditioning relationships with a variety of assisted living facilities in the Muscatine area.
The work and relationships, it must be noted, have been positive on all fronts.
“As far as titles go, when I say “Scott,’’ it says it all,’’ said Amanda Crouch, PT, DPT, Clinic Manager, Cedarwood. “There is no title that does him justice. He is so much more than a title could ever portray.”
“Scott would do anything for anyone,’’ added Crouch. “He believes and truly embodies Matthew 25:40, “The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
“Somehow Scott takes it to another level for those consistently in his life and without blinking an eye would rope the moon for his people,’’ Crouch added. “He is deeply invested in each of his clients, and cares for each of them more than words can explain.’’
Morel says he drew dance-related inspiration from Rock Valley’s Morgan Wagg, PT, DPT, and Kelly Jeffres-Gray, MOT, OTR/L, CLT. They thought dance would be a fantastic addition to the work that goes on with Parkinson’s patients. Morel viewed it as a way to serve patients and a clinic that means so much to him.
“Anytime you can incorporate big movements it helps,’’ Morel said. “Morgan and Kelly are so good and so gifted. And then we got Elaine and Roger on board. Elaine has responded to everything we have done. Roger – with his support – is a huge benefit to Elaine.’’
For Morel – who has a lengthy resume of working with high school and college athletes – adding the title of geriatric conditioning coordinator was a seamless move.
“When I first joined the (Rock Valley-Cedarwood) family, Scott’s clients were all high school and college athletes,’’ Crouch said. “He worked to enhance these students’ athletic abilities, but what those students may not have realized is that Scott was also positively impacting their work ethic and drive to succeed. In the 14 years I have had the privilege of working with Scott, he has graciously worn more hats than all Kentucky Derby attendees combined. He can go from training professional athletes one minute, to changing a light bulb or cleaning a table, to dancing up a storm with a geriatric woman, without missing a beat. Scott has stepped up more times than anyone can count – always volunteering with grace.’’
Morel has developed a conditioning program that didn’t exist 10 years ago.
“He has grown it because there is a need in the community,’’ added Crouch. “Scott took it upon himself to build his knowledge base to serve these clients with respect and excellence. He takes the time to research the needs of the client and then integrates their interests to execute a uniquely tailored program for everyone.’’
Music is universal. It can make a long day short, turn clouds into sun, and take someone struggling physically and motivate them above and beyond.
“It’s global,’’ Morel said of music. “What I had to master was to learn the movements – dance steps if you will – and the songs we will use. Once the music starts everyone is motivated. I can see it in their eyes. The response has been overwhelming.’’
And lighthearted…
“You ready for Sally’’ Morel askes Elaine Bates, prepping for dancing to “Sally Up Sally Down.’’
“Is Sally ready for me, that’s the question,’’ Bates countered, bringing laughter to the many gathered.
And off the two went.
Four songs later, smiles dotted the Cedarwood landscape.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller