While Christopher was at the Goldman School, Debbie began taking special education courses at LSUS.  She did not have a career in mind, but simply wanted to learn more about children with special needs.  During this time Debbie was going through a divorce.   In addition, her advisor at LSUS was suggesting a post graduate degree that would take her another two years to complete.  Debbie decided to take the NTE to become certified, got a job at Goldman to help take care of expenses, and she went back to school.  She worked full-time, cared for her son and took 3-6 course hours per semester.  There were times when she had to drive to Ruston for the classes. 

Through one of her closest friends who was a physical therapist at Goldman, Debbie learned that LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport had decided to create a new physical therapy department.  While meeting with Dr. Joseph McCulloch in the Allied Health Department of LSUHSC, Debbie discovered that her age, once thought to be a disadvantage, was actually working to her advantage. Debbie needed two full semesters of school courses before she could apply, but many of the classes she needed, such as physics, were taught only during the day.  Debbie made the tough decision to quit her job – she was committed to her goal.  In 1982, Debbie was accepted in the second class of the physical therapy school at LSUHSC. 

After graduation from PT school in 1985, Debbie was offered a very lucrative position at a local hospital, but she heard that Goldman School needed a physical therapist.  Debbie knew how important those services were for the children at Goldman and their families, so she accepted the job offer from Goldman.  With her new degree, she was able to supplement her salary with state contract work while providing the much needed physical therapy services at Goldman.  Debbie continued her work at Goldman for 11 years, and in 1996 she was offered a position at Shriner’s Hospital for Children.  Currently, Debbie is the Director of Rehabilitation Services and the Director of the Motion Analysis Lab at Shriner’s. 

Debbie has been a member of the state and national American Physical Therapy Association since 1984.  In 2003 she became a member of The Arc of Caddo-Bossier Board of Directors.  Debbie has held the position of secretary, vice-president and in April 2009, she assumed the role of president of the Board.  She is also a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association where in 2005 she presented at the national convention.  Her presentation included her research with 72 children who participated in Great Results Equine Assisted Therapies (GREAT), a program of The Arc of Caddo-Bossier.

Debbie also has been a member of The Arc of Louisiana Board of Directors.  From the day that Debbie walked in the door at Goldman as a mother, she has spent hundreds of hours serving people with disabilities and their families.  “Thank you” are two words that do not seem adequate for all of the time and talents Debbie Banks has given our community.