Made with love
Christina Lacher, a young woman inspired by her brother, pursues a career in orthotics so she can create unique braces and prosthetics.
By Makenzi Johnson | Reporter
Christina Lacher stands in a studio, glancing around the room wondering where she should start first on her next commissioned piece.
Not an art studio with paint brushes or canvases, but instead, in a studio in the medical office she works at. This studio has 400 degree ovens, buckets of plaster and molds of body parts. This particular studio is where Lacher makes prosthetic limbs and braces.
“I do wish, I will probably work at the hospital he goes to, so that’ll be easy.” — Christina Lacher, orthotic technician
The Century College graduate found her passion in orthotic technology because of her brother, Michael. Her younger brother has epilepsy and requires round-the-clock care and leg braces. Growing up going to hospitals frequently with Michael, wanting to be involved, she would often ask his orthotist questions. She could identify Michael’s pressure points and point out the flaws of a brace by the time she was in high school. Lacher decided senior year that she wanted to make prosthetics professionally. Since graduating from one of eight colleges in America that offers an orthotics technology program, she has fueled her passion by pursuing a career in the field, all with the hope of one day helping Michael.
“I will probably work at the hospital he goes to, so that’ll be easy,” Lacher said.
Lacher is the first to admit that she’s not very creative, but when she makes a prosthetic, she considers it art. She is particular about how she drapes the thermoplastic and shapes the limb, each one made with razor-like precision as she smooths it down over the mold so there are no creases or air bubbles. She has the skill down to a two-day project.
The work can be stressful, demanding and tedious, but it’s worth it. Lacher knows that all of her hard work could be the thing that helps a child walk, her passion and art is for a cause.
