Teen Skater Volunteers to Help Seniors Rebuild Strength

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Madison Xaphakdy. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Madison Xaphakdy shines on the ice as a five-time Minnesota state champion, but her impact extends even further in the quiet halls of a hospital. Despite a demanding schedule filled with figure skating practices, competitions, extracurriculars and schoolwork, the high school junior carves out time each week to volunteer at Capitol View Transitional Care Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. There, she helps senior patients recovering from surgery or hospital stays—guiding them through exercises, measuring their progress and offering encouragement every step of the way.

Her time at the physical rehab center isn’t just an act of service—it’s a glimpse into the future she envisions for herself. Madison dreams of becoming a doctor one day and sees each volunteer shift as a step toward that goal. Whether she’s restocking supplies or helping someone take their first steps after surgery, Madison is already embodying the compassion and dedication of a future physician.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Capitol View Transitional Care Center at Regions Hospital.

I started volunteering there last June, and I usually volunteer about six hours a week. A big part of my role is helping patients with mobility. Sometimes I follow them with a wheelchair in case they get tired, walk beside them for support or play ball games to help improve their brain-body coordination and strengthen injured arms.

One of my favorite tasks is measuring how far they walk. The farthest a patient I worked with has gone was 60 feet, which was really exciting! It helps the therapists track progress, and it’s so rewarding to see patients improve little by little. I also help with restocking towels, refilling the water station and even making beds so patients have a clean, comfortable space to do their exercises.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

I wanted to expose myself to a healthcare setting because it’s something I’m really interested in pursuing as a career. I plan to go into the pre-med track in college. My passion for healthcare really started because of my grandpa. I was very close to him. He would stay with us from time to time and tell me stories about his life. He felt like a best friend.

But he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and I watched him take insulin shots every day. I was so curious about why he had to use syringes in his arms. It seemed so serious, and I hated seeing him go through that. It was hard watching someone I loved struggle like that, and I think that was the moment I knew I wanted to go into healthcare. Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to make a difference in the world through medicine.

Outside of volunteering, what other activities and organizations are you involved in?

I’m definitely busy with a lot of different things! One of my longest-standing extracurriculars is figure skating. I’ve been skating since I was 8 years old. One of my proudest moments was placing silver at Midwestern Sectionals in my age group, which qualified me for the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp. It’s an incredible opportunity where the top four skaters from each section train with Olympians and world-class coaches.

At school, I’m involved in the East Ridge Newsletter medical club, where I write articles about global health issues and explore possible solutions. I’m also a member of HOSA—Health Occupation Students of America. I serve on the educational outreach committee, helping to bring in physicians I’ve met through skating or networking to speak to students. It’s a great way to help my peers learn more about medical school and what it takes to pursue a career in healthcare.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part is helping therapists guide patients through their exercises—especially when I get to add a bit of a challenge, like using a resistance band. Most of the patients at Capitol View are recovering from injuries, so seeing them gain the strength to use their injured body parts again is incredibly fulfilling. It’s amazing to watch someone go from struggling to lifting their arm all the way up, even if it seems like a small movement. We cheer them on for those tiny wins, saying things like, “Great job, you got all the way up!” It might look simple, but for someone older and healing, it’s a big deal—and being part of that progress is really meaningful to me.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned through volunteering is how to be patient. Especially in the healthcare field, you really have to take the time to be patient with people. Many of our patients are seniors, so it can take them longer to process things or complete certain tasks. Volunteering has taught me to slow down and be more patient with everyone I come across, both inside and outside the hospital.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

I think volunteering is important because it helps you grow as a person—it builds compassion and empathy for others. Every time I do community work, I feel a genuine sense of goodness knowing I may have made someone’s day a little better. Even small actions can have a big impact and being part of something bigger than yourself is really fulfilling.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

One tip I’d recommend is bringing a small journal or notebook with you. During breaks or downtime, write down three things you learned that day, whether it’s something you observed, a meaningful interaction with a patient or just how you felt. Especially if you’re in high school and interested in healthcare, these notes can be really helpful later when people ask you questions like “Why medicine?” or “What did you learn from volunteering?” Having those reflections written down makes it so much easier to remember the details and express your experiences clearly.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I hope people see that volunteering helps you grow into a more compassionate person. It really does change you in the best way. It teaches you to care more about others, to listen better and to see the world from a different perspective. You don’t have to do something huge to make an impact. Just showing up, being kind and being there for someone can make a real difference.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Madison? Find local volunteer opportunities.