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Eighth graders at Newtown Middle School in Newtown, Pennsylvania, got a chance recently to connect a character in a book with real life, thanks to students and faculty in the Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program, Salus at Drexel University.
The book, “The Running Dream” by Wendelin Van Draanen, is about the main character who thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a bus accident on the way to compete in a cross country meet. She is not comforted by the news that she will be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg.
The Salus/Drexel group was there in real time to show the middle-schoolers that the book character need not have worried, that prosthetics can be life-changing for amputees.
The Salus/Drexel students offered a hands-on and interactive experience to the middle school students, which included demonstrations of prosthetic walking foot simulators, upper limb prostheses, pediatric running blades and more.
“Our goal is to bring the book to life while also raising awareness about prosthetics, the profession and the individuals affected by limb loss and limb difference,” said J. Chad Duncan, PhD, CRC, CPO, director of the Salus/Drexel O&P program. “We want students to understand that when life presents challenges, there are positive solutions that help people move forward and there are meaningful careers that allow you to be part of that journey.”
Sam White ‘27O&P was at a station that displayed a Myoelectric prothesis. “With this prosthesis, we were able to demonstrate to the students how patients that use this type of device are able to return to their activities of daily living,” said White, originally from Hurricane, West Virginia who completed his undergraduate work at West Virginia University in biomedical engineering. “We had different sized blocks at the station that we picked up with the prosthesis to show how patients are able to regain different hand positions and grip patterns.”
For Kayla Connelly ‘26O&P, her role at the event was to simulate the experience of using an upper limb prosthetic and allow the students to try it on themselves.
“The students were challenged with using a hook and harnessing cable system to stack blocks of various sizes,” said Connelly, originally from Feasterville, Pennsylvania, who graduated with a degree in biobehavioral health from Penn State. “It was fascinating to observe their reactions when they first tried on the prosthetic simulator. Many were surprised by how difficult and challenging even simple tasks can be for upper limb amputees, and it was a great way to help them understand the challenges faced by individuals with limb loss.”
According to Dr. Duncan, the event recognized March as POP (Prosthetics, Orthotics and Pedorthics) Month, an annual event that highlights the work of prosthetists, orthotists and pedorthists who play a crucial role in improving the lives of individuals with mobility challenges through the fitting and creation of prosthetic and orthotic devices.
“This is our fourth time visiting Newtown Middle School and each year the experience has only been better,” said Dr. Duncan. The seventh grade English teachers, especially Mrs. Erinn Demskis and Mrs. Pamela Bruno, have played a key role in making this an engaging and interactive event.”
In addition, Dr. Duncan said that Salus/Drexel O&P students are discussing “So Every BODY Can Move,” a national disability rights movement dedicated to creating an equitable world where every person, no matter their disability, has access to prosthetic and orthotic care for physical activity in 28 states by the time the 2028 Paralympics arrives (https://soeverybodycanmove.org).
For Connelly, the event provided her with an opportunity to not only educate younger students about O&P as a potential career but also to raise awareness about amputees and the challenges they face.
“It was inspiring to see the students engage, ask thoughtful questions, and interact with the material,” she said. “This experience reinforced the importance of fostering understanding and empathy toward individuals with disabilities, which will be invaluable as I continue my journey toward becoming a compassionate and knowledgeable professional in O&P.”
White said he enjoyed the opportunity to give the middle schoolers an insightful glimpse into the world of O&P.
“It allowed me to refine my ability to explain the profession and share some of the key lessons I've learned so far in school to those who may not have had much exposure to it,” he said. “This experience will ultimately make me a better practitioner one day, by enhancing my communication skills and deepening my understanding of how to effectively educate and engage with others whether they are in O&P or not.”
