Most of my work has been with artificial limbs and external body bracing. I unexpectedly discovered the field from a friend of my father. At that moment, I was looking for something enjoyable and unique to do, that included science. After shadowing him for a day, I decided that this was something I wanted to pursue. I used the rest of my time in high-school to dedicate myself to an internship at his office My mentor taught me a great deal about patient care and dealing with issues that arise when working with people. His staff showed me how to use my hands to create everything from foot orthotics to artificial legs. It was a wonderful time.
I headed off to college. And to be honest, my public high-school did not prepare me for the work load ahead of me. I also took part time jobs for various offices running errands, which cut out a lot of my study and fun time. I worked hard in my classes, despite my dislike for two years of general education credits. I had come to college for a reason, I knew what I wanted to do, and to me, the two years were wasted education wise. The only new passion outside my field I learned in those classes was philosophy. However, I did take a few courses that inspired me, my biomechanics, gerontology and Olympic history courses were lovely. I was able to branch over my love of orthotics and prosthetics, while the professors found relevant examples to share.
After receiving my degree in kinesiology and minor in gerontology, I was ready to start working towards my orthotics and prosthetics certificates. I attended a certificate program in orthotics for a year and headed out to do my year of residency afterwards. My residency provided a good experience and I finished a comprehensive literature review on Halo-pins during the year. I had hoped to return to school to finish my prosthetics portion but due to high loans from schooling, I was forced to find work. This disheartened me because I was still in a mood to learn rather than practice and after a year of field work.
So, I had the luxury to take a year off from it all. To step back from work, school, all of it and see where I was and what I wanted. I had a chance to explore my other talents, like art and computers. I learned a lot about myself and gained tons of new skills and rekindled my love for the field of orthotics and prosthetics.
Currently I am working in the ideal position for me. I'm working along side a large team of female orthotists and prosthetists, getting to work in a hospital setting, and working primarily in spinal trauma. My job no longer feels like a job and it is a place where I can continue to learn and grow.
