Space-themed Wonderland Event Out of This World

The stars and planets that decorated this year's space-themed Wonderland were not the only ones twinkling that night.

Returning for its third year, the fundraiser put the children and teen VIPs of AccessAbility UnLimbited (AAU) in the spotlight as they tore up the runway, showcasing their incredible prosthetic and orthotic devices and the amazing accomplishments they achieved over the past year.

The VIPs' runway was located at The Fuge, a historic Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania. Along with the extraordinary decorations created and set up by all the volunteers, the entire venue was filled with families, donors, and orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) industry professionals, as well as current and former Drexel O&P students, all gathered to show their support for the cause.

The event committee included: Victoria “Tori” (Page) Segool, MSOP ‘25, Reagan Thompson, MSOP ‘26, Justin Hornung ‘27MSOP, Bella Sallee, ‘28MSOP, Gianna Bartolomei ‘28MSOP, Jacalyn Harris, MPO, CPO/L, O&P faculty and Julie Quinlan, PhD ‘26, MPO, MS, CPO, ATC, FAAOP, O&P program director at Drexel University’s Elkins Park campus. AAU is an organization that focuses on bringing O&P care internationally by involving current students and residents through global scholarship trips, as well as educating about the cause through events such as Wonderland and 5K Any Way. According to the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics, about 35 million to 40 million people require O&P services worldwide. Additionally, with an increase in the population, life expectancy, and musculoskeletal and noncommunicable conditions, the need for these assistive devices is perceived to double from its current 0.5% of the population to a full 1%. As roughly 75% of developing countries lack the proper facilities and resources already to provide proper O&P care, organizations like AAU are crucial for restoring fully functioning lives to many of these individuals as the need continues to grow. With O&P being a relatively niche area of study, this group not only provides an opportunity for the clinicians of tomorrow but also educates so many others on the field and spreads awareness about this incredibly impactful profession.   

Wonderland helps support this mission by raising funds for scholarships that allow Drexel O&P master's students to participate in international service trips. These experiences give students and residents the opportunity to bring their developing clinical skills to areas where access to O&P care is limited.

“This year was our third Wonderland, and it’s been incredible to watch it grow year after year,” Segool, co-founder and president of AAU, said. “When we started AccessAbility UnLimbited, we did not know where or what it would lead to.”

Since its founding, AAU has expanded beyond Wonderland, hosting multiple events throughout the year and supporting scholarship recipients who have helped create more than 100 prosthetic limbs for people in other countries.

While the organization's reach extends internationally, Wonderland focuses on the children and teens who attend as VIPs. Throughout the evening, the young guests were recognized for accomplishments ranging from academic honors to athletic achievements. Their O&P devices became part of the runway experience, giving each VIP a chance to showcase both the technology they use and the person wearing it.

For the Drexel master’s of O&P student volunteers, much of the evening unfolded through games, raffles, food, dancing, and conversations between guests. Katherine Choquette ‘29MSOP recalled there were so many volunteers during setup that she found herself walking around asking if anyone needed help, only to discover that most people were already settled into their roles.

Once the doors opened, the focus quickly shifted to the guests.

“The party was super great, all the VIPs that we had were really fun and excited and happy to be there,” she said. “After that point it was just a night full of fun and games, the raffles really got everybody amped and everybody had a great time!”

One of Choquette's favorite moments came from watching one of the young VIPs and her sister move from game to game throughout the night. The girls eagerly participated in the available activities and became especially excited about winning a raffle basket filled with candy. Their enthusiasm was infectious, with volunteers happy to keep the games going and let the girls enjoy everything the evening had to offer.

The event also created opportunities for students to interact with individuals they may otherwise encounter primarily within a clinical setting. Jacalyn Harris, MPO/L, an O&P assistant professor, described this as one of the most valuable aspects of the evening.

“Students benefit from this event by witnessing the importance of community when it comes to a cause like this,” said Harris. “Only when we all come together can we bring accessible care to those who need it.”

The evening brought together current students and alumni alongside families, local practitioners, para-athletes, manufacturers, and vendors. For those preparing to enter the O&P profession, these interactions offered a chance to see the field from perspectives beyond the classroom.

“I also think it highlights the possibilities for our students, residents, and alumni regarding advocacy for the community we serve,” said Harris.

For Karen Iskander ‘29MSOP, the event also connected directly to her interest in pediatrics and international service trips. “Being able to volunteer and see the joy, kindness, and resilience of the kids was very impactful and an amazing way to connect with the community,” she said.

Vivee Karthikeyan ‘29MSOP similarly found meaning in creating an enjoyable experience for guests.

“Volunteering at Wonderland was such a rewarding experience,” she said. “Helping set up games and activities for people and guests who wear orthotics and prosthetics created a fun, welcoming atmosphere, and it was a meaningful way to connect with the community while bringing smiles to everyone involved.”

Behind the games and festivities, the evening served a larger purpose. Funds raised through Wonderland contribute to scholarships for students pursuing international service opportunities, helping them provide O&P care to individuals who may otherwise have limited access to these services.

Segool's commitment to that mission is one of the reasons the event has continued to grow. Harris described her as someone with a strong interest in expanding international access to care and creating opportunities for students to participate. “She is strong in her values and commitment to supporting O&P students in traveling to serve those in need,” Harris said.

The results of that work can already be seen through AAU's scholarship program. According to Segool, scholarship winners have helped create more than 100 prosthetic limbs for people in other countries over the past three years.

As the night came to an end, the volunteers continued to work together during cleanup. Choquette recalled that students joked and packed everything away before saying goodbye, eventually remaining in the parking lot talking for another half hour.

“I would absolutely do it again 100%,” she said.

Three years after its beginning, Wonderland has become an event that combines celebration with an opportunity to look beyond the local O&P community. For the VIPs, it provides a night centered around their accomplishments. For students, it offers a chance to engage with the people and profession they are preparing to enter. And through the scholarships supported by AAU, the rest of the evening continues far beyond the walls of The Fuge.

The stars and planets may have set the scene for this year's Wonderland, but the VIPs remained at the center of the evening. Their accomplishments—and the people who gathered to celebrate them—are what continue to make Wonderland shine.