Dave Leffmann

Dave Leffmann is a physical therapist who has been teaching people how to manage and recover from injury and illness since 1992. He has been chair of the Orthopedic Special Interest Group of the Washington chapter of the American Physical Therapists Association, published scientific research in the journal Physical Therapy, and founded Pioneer Sports and Physical Therapy. He is also an experienced mountain climber, ski mountaineer, and outdoor adventurer who has written about his experiences including high-country travel, being swept by avalanche, and the infamous Dead Baby Downhill bicycle race.

When he helped care for his mother and then for his long-time partner Karen Morgan in the last year of their lives, he was inspired and encouraged to create a guide for others, to again teach people how to manage illness and injury. Of course no one achieves anything alone in this world. The many wonderful people who have contributed to this work all share the caregiving experience. Health care providers including MD’s, PT’s, ND's nurses and hospice experts, social workers and mental health workers have all shared their long earned wisdom here. Scientists, professors, researchers, and lectures have given their expertise. Legal and insurance experts, personnel, team management professionals, even videographers and musicians have shared their knowledge to help caregivers and their loved ones walk, no dance, through this most profound time of life.