From PT Aide to Professional Fitter
Margo Barregarye’s journey to orthotic fitting, and the nickname “prefab queen,” began as a summer job working as a PT aide with pre-schoolers. She was the younger member of a Mother-Daughter team that shared a job in the school system’s program for physically handicapped children. When Mom took off to be with her children during the summer, Margo stepped in.
Some 30 years later, Margo (RFOM) touched the life of a young man in a special way, earning her title as pre-fab queen. A young farmer was barely making do with a poorly fitted corset, a necessity he required as a quadriplegic. At 6’3, this young man needed a longer corset with more support so he could thrive in his occupation. Along with an ABC practitioner, Margo assisted in designing and fabricating a solution by adding leather and metal to a pre-fab corset. He said he felt like a million dollars. As did Margo: “I love those types of challenges and making the difference for people who are difficult to fit.”
Margo credits her blended background in PT (including coursework for a PT assistant), working for a brace company, starting and running an orthotics supply company and years of fitting with being able to do things like that.
Margo is part of the O&P team in a fairly new company - Orthotic & Prosthetic Associates of Central Illinois PC. Actually, it’s only new in the sense of its status as an independent company. The group - Margo, Terry Supane CPO, FAAOP, and Daryl Bock - were all members of the Southern Illinois School of Medicine O&P department together for 5 years. When it became a victim of budget cuts, they spun off and today continue a strong relationship with the hospital. Terry, Daryl and Margo go back even further as co-workers at a brace company.
Over the past 32 years in the profession, Margo has seen many changes. When she started, anyone with the inclination could open a shop to provide fitting and services for orthotic goods. Today in Illinois that’s not possible. The state instituted licensing for O&P practitioners that requires fitters to work under the supervision of a licensed orthotist. Then along came fitter credentialing programs offered by ABC and BOC.
Today Margo couldn’t open and operate the company she did several years back. But this doesn’t trouble her because she feels that change has been very good for the industry and improves quality of patient care. This belief is also part of what drove Margo to become an ABC Registered Fitter two years ago. She credits credentialing with helping to keep her edge sharp. The CEU requirements motivate her to attend training and read the professional publications. One of her primary sources of continuing education is through a chapter of the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses which offers training in many other states as well. Since she sees the value of credentialing, Margo serves on ABC’s Registered Fitter-Orthotics committee.
“I’m 65 and very happy with where I am. I have no plans to retire. Patient care has been my vocation all my life and on a day-to-day basis I love what I do. I get the fringe benefit of the job – patient care,” said Margo.