Inaugural 'Wonderland' Event Benefits Orthotics and Prosthetic Students

The gymnasium at the Hafter Student Community Center was recently transformed into a “Wonderland” for an event dedicated to celebrating adaptive individuals who use orthotics and prosthetics. 

The first-ever “Wonderland,” held Sept. 21, 2024, highlighted VIP guests, children who use orthotics, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment, in addition to being an opportunity to connect with the community and different adaptive organizations.

The VIP guests included Charlotte Green, 4; Adena Heitkamp, 7; Lucas Bobakov, 7; Michael Carden, 11; Charlotte New, 15; and Kevlin Arthur, 17. Each VIP was sponsored, which covered the cost of lunch and dinner of the VIP and one parent, the opportunity to get hair and makeup down before the event, and gift bags. During Wonderland, each VIP walked the red carpet nd was individually highlighted and celebrated for what makes them special.   

J. Chad Duncan, PhD, CRC, CPO, director of the Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program, Salus at Drexel University, emphasized the importance of one student’s vision and its impact on the community.

"It's all about Tori's vision and involving our O&P master’s students," said Duncan. "She’s making this event special for children with limb differences. I'm really excited because this aligns perfectly with the mission of our O&P program — promoting cultural humility and community engagement. Tori has truly embraced that vision and taken it to the next level."  

Tori is Victoria “Tori” Page ‘25O&P, one of the Salus/Drexel students who went on a humanitarian trip to Kenya in March 2024. There she reaffirmed her desire to work in pediatrics prosthetics. And with that, she co-founded AccessAbility UnLimbited, a non-profit, with Reagan Thompson ‘26O&P, Kayla Connelly '26OP  and Julie Quinlan, MPO, MS, CPO/L, ATC, FAAOP, assistant professor in the O&P department. The mission of Access Unlimbited is to provide support and assistance to adaptive individuals who use orthoses and prostheses.  

“Wonderland” is one way they are fulfilling their mission. The event featured carnival games, a silent auction, raffles, and dinner. Money raised at the event will help provide scholarships for O&P master's students at Salus/Drexel, supporting their international trips to make and deliver orthoses and prostheses to patients in need. 

“International trips are a great way for students to gain respect for other cultures, work on interdisciplinary teams, and serve different people groups. Participation in these trips is about $1800-plus, which is a barrier for most students. AccessAbility UnLimbited is trying to remove this barrier to open these opportunities to any student wanting to participate in an international trip and gain this experience,” said Page. “Wonderland is a great way that we can celebrate individuals in our community and help people in communities in different parts of the world. We are already looking forward to next year's Wonderland.” 

Among the guest speakers for the evening was Jeffrey Quelet, an amputee from Hagerstown, Maryland, who is friends with Quinlan. He suffered from osteosarcoma (bone cancer) at the young age of 10 and had part of one leg amputated.  

“I’m here tonight to share my experience and to highlight what these students and future clinical prostheses orthotists give back to their patients,” said Quelet.  

Sponsors for the event were Kinetic Prosthetics, Madrunner, Tamarack, Surestep, and Human Robot.