Week 4:
Testing My Growth

July 5, 2020

Four weeks done and four more to go! We had a very busy week at the office wanting to deliver the projects we were working on to give patients the opportunity for a more mobile Fourth of July. For me, this meant there was a lot to learn and a chance to show my growth.

I have developed a sense of self-confidence over the past four weeks that I will never let go of. I have more confidence in my abilities, in my career choice, and who I am as person. In the office this confidence comes through in my work and my eagerness to complete projects. This week, when asked if I could sew the straps to an orthotic I said yes, knowing that my work would meet the high standards MPO sets. The technician was happily surprised by my straps and the pads I grinded to go on the straps to keep them from rubbing against the patient’s leg. These smaller details are things I am comfortable doing on my own. I have also been working on some of the bigger technical skills and this week I was able to show off all I have learned. I got to help fabricate a test socket, start to finish.  As a reminder, test sockets are used to check shape and fit before making the final socket a patient will wear daily. It is much easier to make modifications to the test socket than a final socket!  The steps of making a test socket that I helped with can be seen below in my pictures.

This week I got a deeper look into the incredible culture of MPO. There were two patients who had concerns with their new orthotics and the team did not rest until the patients were satisfied with their braces. Going back and forth between the patient room, the lab, and the grinding room we were brainstorming ideas and testing them until we found what worked best. MPO cares deeply about their patients and understands that if the patient does not like something about their orthotic they are unlikely to wear it. If an orthotic is not worn, the problem it is trying to correct may get worse. Compromise is the key to progress in this career. A patient wearing a modified orthotic is always better than wearing nothing at all.

I also had the opportunity this week to see how much I have grown as a person, outside of the office. I was invited to a Fourth of July barbecue at one of coworkers and I had a wonderful time. I was introduced to a country lifestyle that included ducks, a three-wheeler, a tractor, and dogs who were bigger than me. It was outside of my comfort zone and rather than nervous, I felt excited! Most of the office was there to celebrate together, showing me that the employees at MPO are more than simply coworkers to each other. My fellowship experience has taught me to keep an open mind and embrace new experiences. I am only half-way in and already feel more prepared to go back to Cornell, find a graduate school, and enter the career of my dreams!