Last week, we were fortunate to have a work experience student visiting us from Melbourne. Bridget is in her first year of the Orthotics and Prosthetics course at La Trobe University.
Bridget heard about us – the brother and sister team making artificial eyes in Perth – back when she was in High school. This inspired her to set her sights on a career in prosthetics. When given the chance to do work experience interstate, she took the plunge and contacted us.
While Bridget was here, she saw the full facet of the process of making artificial eyes. She met some of our clients and interacted easily with them. Jenny took her to Princess Margaret Hospital to see first hand our role in theatre where we take an impression of an eye socket while a child undergoes a general anaesthetic. She also accompanied me to one of my hospital presentations for the theatre nurses. Bridget was kind enough to tell me that the presentation was mostly good despite a struggle with antiquated technology. I have shelved my old video presentation and have started on a long overdue PowerPoint presentation.
We put Bridget to work in the laboratory where she successfully made an artificial eye. Using a mirror to match her own eye colour, she painted an iris, which she then placed on a teardrop shell. We were impressed with her painting skills; she has great colour appreciation. We drilled a hole in the top of the shell, attached a leather strap and gave it to her as momento of her visit.
Bridget is a delightful girl who will do well whatever she ends up doing. She is genuinely interested in people and has a wonderful positive energy. We wish Bridget all the best for the future.
Bridget has offered to write a blog about her time here, so stay tuned for that.
