I don’t really know where the end of April and the start of May went, but my gosh, time flies by. We need to talk about Team Prominence. (#TeamProminence) Earlier this year, I was approached by a group of five Mechanical Engineering students at JHU. As part of their Senior Design project, this MechE team was designing and constructing a prosthetic ankle/foot system for female amputees. And it gets better–Walter Reed was even behind them! So of course when asked if I’d be willing to offer some amputee insight/guidance and test the prototype, my answer was a big YES. Being the only lower-limb amputee on campus finally came in handy. When I say I love this team, words can’t even do it justice. Talking about gait, ankle adjustments, ease of fit, etc was all relevant lingo for me, but what made the whole experience the best? Devin, Kate, Ben, Luke and Joey. I could not have expected a more welcoming, engaging, respectful or attentive team. This group genuinely wanted to create something useful and get perspective on their product from the very type of person who would use it. There was a particular care they put into The Prominence and every conversation with me. This past month, I finally got to walk on the prototype. A one-day round-trip ticket to NY (trust me, with my track record, my parents weren't at all surprised I tried to make this happen), some help from my prosthetist, and boom, I had that foot attached to me. While doing laps on a ramp, I had a really cool AHA moment. There I was, walking, in sturdy form and stable steps, with an ankle that my friends had made. And it kind of hit me right then: I go to school with some really freaking awesome (and very smart) people. These five team members designed and built The Prominence in a basement machine shop off-campus, while still tackling heavy course loads as seniors. I am still in awe. I don't take my ability to walk for granted; I'm thankful everyday that I can simply walk to wherever I want to go, but that's only possible with a good foot/ankle. I hope #TeamProminence realized that their contributions have power. Their good hands, brains, work and design have so much potential. (Check out the news coverage of these guys by clicking here!) And now, as I'm sitting here typing away, I've just finished my last final of junior year. It's a bittersweet time. Of course, it feels good to finish up exams, pack up the physics homework and bio notes, and get ready to finally have some much-loved family time. Plus, I'm a little too excited to start my clinical research this summer (hehe). But I'll miss the familiar faces on campus, seeing my best friends here all day every day, having the busy schedule that, even when keeping me on the tips of my five toes, I honestly love. Every semester here is like that, but I thrive when I'm under some pressure. Students like those on #TeamProminence remind me of just how much I love being where I am: right here at Hopkins. I'm surrounded by such innovative minds, and every once in a while, I remind myself that we're all headed for exciting futures; it's a special gift to share the very beginning of those journeys with each other (even if it means seeing everyone at their best in the library grind, but hey, coffee helps us all). At Hopkins, I can push myself, tap into my own abilities, and cheer my classmates on; I love it. To be honest, finishing my third year at JHU is sort of daunting. People rarely hear me say 'I can't wait for...' because I don't really think that way. I like to stay in the moment. Another year deep into Hopkins, and I'm enjoying the ride... but breaks are good. I think it's about time I curled up in bed with some SVU and an Iced Latte in hand...
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