What made you decide on a career in O&P?
Patience Nicholls, CTPO, instructional support technician, O&P Technology program, Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC)
I was 20 when I had decided to enroll for the O&P technology program in my hometown. I had wanted to be a nurse. I had attended school to start pursuing a nursing degree and was working as a certified nursing assistant. It quickly became apparent that traditional learning was a poor fit for me. After leaving college I continued to work as a caregiver. A few months after I had left college, my mom saw a segment on the news about the O&P program at SFCC. She thought it would be a great fit for me since I found value and purpose in helping people. My hand skills were good already and I knew I liked working with tools. Over the years I had worked on construction projects and found I had a knack for learning in an apprenticeship way. I entered the program in 2011, graduated in 2013, and passed the CTPO test in 2014.
Kirstin Drexler, CTO, Shriners Children’s Florida, Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Central Fabrication
I was in the restaurant management business for many years and decided I needed to make a change for my personal well-being. I started knocking out some of my general requirements at St. Petersburg College, knowing that I wanted to work in the medical profession. I was unsure which direction I wanted to go, but I knew nursing was not for me. The college was opening a new O&P lab for technicians, and people from the program told us they would be giving tours of the facility. When I walked into the O&P lab, I knew I was home. I was in the National Art Honor Society in high school, and I always liked working with my hands. The artist in me realized that combining art with healthcare was nothing I had ever thought of, but that was the direction I wanted to go.
Ashley Ashley, O&P technician, Shriners Children’s Greenville
I guess you can say it sort of picked me. I started my career in O& P later in life after my two older children were already in college, and my youngest was in high school. I’ve known the Friddle family of Friddle’s Orthopedic Appliances for over half my life and live minutes from the company. I knew most of the people who worked there, and they convinced me to apply and said I would be great at it, so I did.
What has been the biggest career challenge?
Nicholls: Like many women in this industry, early on in my career I was not treated as well due to sexism, and there were many double standards. Upon entering the workforce, I experienced intense pressure. Although I was an entry-level technician, because I had gone to school I was expected to not make mistakes, and I was supposed to fabricate projects faster than I was as a beginner.
Apart from being expected to have the knowledge of a senior technician on day one, I had experienced much harassment and gatekeeping the first few years of being in the O&P field. It took me many years to believe in myself and to stand up for myself. We all want to be seen and valued, not having our self-doubt perpetuated and reinforced by people who are expected to be peers or mentors. As a result of these cumulative ideologies and behaviors, I try to encourage new students to have confidence and allow room for them to make mistakes and ask questions.
Drexler: Often, there are several ways to get to the end result: finding the way that works for you, as the technician. Men’s bodies are different and we know that; what works for them may not work for us, and that’s okay. It’s also a challenge sometimes making the senior techs understand that as well.
Ashley: I honestly haven’t faced many challenges related directly to the field.
How have you overcome some of those challenges?
Nicholls: I was raised to be stoic, and I think that ended up in being gritty. Grit is working hard towards your goals/success through having passion, perseverance, and resilience to obstacles that are in the way of your goals. My two quotes that my version of grit sums up are “patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish” and “you are required to work at whatever you are told to do.” Grit has allowed me to thrive in my failures and flourish after pushing through those challenges.
Drexler: Be a sponge—no matter if it works for you or not, take in the information. It may come in handy in other situations.
What has been the biggest reward?
Nicholls: The biggest reward is having an opportunity to be in an education setting. It ended up being a pleasant surprise. Although occasionally I miss working in a clinic, I greatly enjoy helping students transform in their skills and education.
Drexler: I love my job. My mom always said, “That’s why they call it work. If it was fun they would call it fun.” I am so very lucky that I enjoy going in to work every day. Seeing the devices that we have made being fit on the kiddos warms my heart.
Ashley: The biggest rewards came after joining the Shriners Greenville team. I’ve always known the work I was doing made a difference, but getting to see the difference every day, the kids absolutely amaze me.
Where/when did you receive your education?
Nicholls: I received my associate degree from SFCC in 2013.
Drexler: St. Petersburg College. I graduated in 2016.
Ashley: I received job training at Friddle’s Orthopedic Appliance, where I worked for a year.
Besides your love for O&P, what other unique skills do you have.
Nicholls: Helping people grow into the best version of themselves. I am an excellent researcher of obscure things. I am able to present information to individuals in ways that their brain understands because everyone learns and processes differently.
Drexler: I love gardening (while hanging out with my dog, Pepper), bicycling, creating stained glass artwork, and practicing yoga.
Ashley: I absolutely love creating something from nothing or repurposing something old.
Read “Tech Talk: Highlighting Women in O&P Fabrication” in the July issue on our website.
