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 小蝌蚪APP 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 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 Feinburg School of Medicine in 2020.
Finding Purpose from Loss
小蝌蚪APP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,小蝌蚪APP Beth shared. 小蝌蚪APP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.小蝌蚪APP
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).
小蝌蚪APP淚 will be a practitioner for individuals with limb loss, difference, and deficiency,小蝌蚪APP Beth explained. 小蝌蚪APP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.小蝌蚪APP
After her accident in 1999, Beth was determined not to slow down.
小蝌蚪APP淲ith the help of prosthetists willing to answer every question and concern, and a tough 小蝌蚪APP榩ick-yourself-back-up小蝌蚪APP parenting style, my parents were able to raise an incredibly resilient, confident woman,小蝌蚪APP Beth said. 小蝌蚪APP淭hat woman is me.小蝌蚪APP
That resiliency was evident in junior high when Beth signed up for the volleyball team. Skeptical of Beth小蝌蚪APP檚 abilities, the coach assigned her as the water girl.
小蝌蚪APP淚 ended up playing five seasons on a junior Olympic volleyball team for non-amputees,小蝌蚪APP 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 小蝌蚪APP and city, it was the faculty that had the most significant impact on her.
小蝌蚪APP淭he School of Kinesiology is teeming with hilarious, helpful, and supportive individuals who are there to prepare you for your future,小蝌蚪APP she said. 小蝌蚪APP淚 felt like I was always supported.小蝌蚪APP
Beth小蝌蚪APP檚 unique experience 小蝌蚪APP and the small moments along the way 小蝌蚪APP led her to understand her purpose in life.
小蝌蚪APP淚t was sharing countless chocolate Frostys with my daddy after skipping school for another leg appointment.
小蝌蚪APP淚t was the family I made at my practitioner小蝌蚪APP檚 office who always made me feel normal 小蝌蚪APP and even made me a peg leg for a Halloween costume.
小蝌蚪APP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小蝌蚪APP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小蝌蚪APP檚 eyes when I handed her a Rainbowfish socket.小蝌蚪APP
小蝌蚪APP淐ountless little memories have shown me that maybe my limb difference does define me in a way,小蝌蚪APP Beth said. 小蝌蚪APP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.小蝌蚪APP
