Lauryn Matzke is a first-year student excelling at Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), a career and technical education public school district focused on preparing students today for tomorrow’s careers.
Matzke, a Surprise resident who lives with cerebral palsy and Type 1 diabetes, decided to begin her medical education with West-MEC’s medical assisting program and is now a top performer.
Medical assisting at West-MEC is a high school program focused on preparing students with clinical and administrative knowledge to jump start their careers in the medical field. Students receive hands-on training and learn how to properly administer injections, draw blood and record EKGs.
These skills typically require two hands, but with her condition, Matzke has no choice but to complete her tasks with one fully functional arm, to achieve her dream of becoming a certified nurse.
Matzke suffered a stroke when she was one day old, causing hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a life-long condition.
"You should never be afraid to be yourself or feel ashamed of who you are; instead, you should embrace it wholeheartedly,” Matzke stated in a press release. “If you are living with a lifelong condition, accept who you are and stay true to yourself.”
Matzke has persevered and overcome challenges throughout her life, the hands-on training of West-MEC’s program being no different. Stacy Ray, instructor in the medical assisting program, made Matzke's transition into the class as smooth as possible by researching the techniques of professionals who live with similar conditions , such as nurse Kristina DeJesus Barquin.
"I was worried about Lauryn finding her own way to complete assignments, but she proved that there was no need for negativity or worrying,” Ray stated. “She thrives in class and handles every task with grace. It’s incredible to see Lauryn and her classmates work as a team to achieve success together.”
With guidance Ray and IT Security Instructor Bradley Whitaker, a group of students have created many devices to ensure Matzke can participate fully in class. One creation is a 3D-printed device that attaches to a desk holding her glove so she can don her glove correctly, ensuring she has the proper protective equipment every time it’s needed.
This device placed second in state at the Medical Innovations HOSA competition, but the student team consisting of Lola Raulston, Anneli Garcia and Jessica Schreiner stated the device was initially only designed and intended to help a friend.
After Matzke completes West-MEC’s Medical Assisting program, she plans to attend Glendale Community College to pursue a nursing career, while interning at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Once she completes her nursing degree, she plans to return to her home state of Minnesota and work for Gillette Children's Hospital, where they focus on children who live with cerebral palsy.
Matzke has completed an internship with them, and they want her to return as a medical assistant upon graduation and certification.
"The Medical Assisting class coming together means a lot to me because I’ve been looked at differently from a young age and, though I still deal with that, I don't tolerate it anymore," she stated. "Sometimes it is tough to have extra attention on me and welcome extra help, but it means a lot that the students and instructors are willing to help me and understand the conditions I live with."
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