Earlier this week, we metwith the Montpellier Health Tutoring Association. Today, we’re staying in Montpellier for our meeting with Kévin Vidal, the president of AMEO!
In a nutshell, what is AMEO?
AMEO is the Association of Orthoptics Students in Montpellier. It was founded in 2009 and aims to enrich the lives of orthoptics students through a variety of events. Through AMEO, we also represent students within the federations to which we belong— the AGEM (General Association of Montpellier Students) and the FFEO (French Federation of Orthoptics Students)—in order to defend their rights as students and ensure the quality of their education within the various governing bodies.
What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year?
Throughout the year, we organize various types of events:
- Team-building events such as parties or group activities, as well as team-building weekends for new classes, an end-of-year gala, and a farewell party for recent graduates
- Events focused on “prevention, solidarity, and citizenship,”such as fundraising drives for Pink October, the Telethon, or Sidaction.
- As orthoptics students, we are in contact with the Valentin Haüy Association, an organization that works to defend the rights of people with visual impairments, provides them with training and access to employment, helps restore and develop their independence, and also offers cultural, sports, and recreational activities accessible to people with visual impairments.
AMEO also supports students throughout their studies and helps them transition into the workforce by sharing job openings with future graduates so they can enter the job market. Through these partners, AMEO also enables students to purchase orthoptic equipment at reduced prices by offering discounts or organizing group orders for educational materials.
Why did you personally choose the Orthoptics program, and what does the association offer students in this program?
Personally, I chose this field because the profession of orthoptist offers many opportunities. Patients come in all ages, and the conditions and rehabilitation methods are very diverse. For example, an orthoptist may work with premature infants or children with visual exploration issues, or with cases of atypical conditions such as shaken baby syndrome. We can also work with older adults with AMD or other eye conditions that result in significant functional impairment and, in some cases, a need for low-vision rehabilitation, as well as with people who simply need glasses or orthoptic therapy.
Another aspect I really love about this profession is the interdisciplinary nature of the work. We may find ourselves working with occupational therapists to adapt the environment for people with visual impairments, with speech-language pathologists on visual exploration strategies for children with attention disorders, or with physical therapists in the field of posturology. It is, therefore, a profession in which every case is different, one that offers the choice of working in a healthcare facility or in private practice, and one that provides the opportunity to continue learning about a wide range of disciplines throughout our careers.
How do you become a member of AMEO?
To join AMEO, you must be an orthoptics student in Montpellier. The membership fee is 3€ per year. To join, simply submit a request at the association’s office located on the ADV campus!
A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?
The election of the 2020–2021 executive board takes place at the end of June during the general meeting to hand over leadership. Each slate running for the new executive board will present its rationale and plans. Each year, the executive board consists of at least one president, a secretary, a treasurer, a vice president in charge of communications, a vice president in charge of networking, a vice president in charge of partnerships, vice presidents in charge of events, and a vice president in charge of prevention, citizenship, and solidarity.
You can already find us on our social media channels:
Twitter: AMEOrthoptistes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMEOMtp/
Instagram: @ameo_orthoptie
