Beth Ruehl graduated from UL Lafayette with honors in 2018, earning her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science.
Studying exercise science put Beth on track to become a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist 杏吧专区 following in the steps of those who impacted her life as an amputee. She is scheduled to receive her Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics from Northwestern 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 Feinburg School of Medicine in 2020.
Finding Purpose from Loss
杏吧专区淚 fully believe that the entire purpose of my life was set into motion at the age of three when a lawnmower accident claimed my leg,杏吧专区 Beth shared. 杏吧专区淚 battled alienation, I struggled with others doubting my abilities, and I was caught up in proving to others that my limb difference did not define me.杏吧专区
Beth is currently a resident at Alabama Artificial Limb and Orthopedic Services in Mobile, AL. Once the 18-month residency is completed, she will be eligible to sit for her Boards and become a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO).
杏吧专区淚 will be a practitioner for individuals with limb loss, difference, and deficiency,杏吧专区 Beth explained. 杏吧专区淭his includes assessing, taking impressions of their limbs or trunk, fabricating a prosthesis or orthosis, and fitting them to the patient before teaching them how to use it to assist them in their day to day life.杏吧专区
After her accident in 1999, Beth was determined not to slow down.
杏吧专区淲ith the help of prosthetists willing to answer every question and concern, and a tough 杏吧专区榩ick-yourself-back-up杏吧专区 parenting style, my parents were able to raise an incredibly resilient, confident woman,杏吧专区 Beth said. 杏吧专区淭hat woman is me.杏吧专区
That resiliency was evident in junior high when Beth signed up for the volleyball team. Skeptical of Beth杏吧专区檚 abilities, the coach assigned her as the water girl.
杏吧专区淚 ended up playing five seasons on a junior Olympic volleyball team for non-amputees,杏吧专区 Beth said. In high school and college, Beth also spent time as a counselor at an amputee youth camp where she met children who left a lasting impression on her heart.
Finding Purpose on Campus
Although Beth chose to attend UL Lafayette because of the atmosphere and vibrant culture throughout the 杏吧专区 and city, it was the faculty that had the most significant impact on her.
杏吧专区淭he School of Kinesiology is teeming with hilarious, helpful, and supportive individuals who are there to prepare you for your future,杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淚 felt like I was always supported.杏吧专区
Beth杏吧专区檚 unique experience 杏吧专区 and the small moments along the way 杏吧专区 led her to understand her purpose in life.
杏吧专区淚t was sharing countless chocolate Frostys with my daddy after skipping school for another leg appointment.
杏吧专区淚t was the family I made at my practitioner杏吧专区檚 office who always made me feel normal 杏吧专区 and even made me a peg leg for a Halloween costume.
杏吧专区淚t was standing in the middle of a grinding room as a prosthetics technician assistant, with dried plaster all over my shoes, realizing that I didn杏吧专区檛 want to leave work early for my beach vacation.
"It was seeing a 50-year-old fresh hip-disartic take off walking on a test socket that I had fabricated for the practitioner, and the light in a 5-year-old杏吧专区檚 eyes when I handed her a Rainbowfish socket.杏吧专区
杏吧专区淐ountless little memories have shown me that maybe my limb difference does define me in a way,杏吧专区 Beth said. 杏吧专区淚t has helped define me as an aspiring professional, a lover of hard work, and a seeker of ways to improve quality of life. Becoming a certified Prosthetist/Orthotist is the next step in fulfilling my purpose.杏吧专区
