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Entry into the AT field:
Sometime in the Fall of
1978
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How I got into the
field
My background in Occupational
Therapy exposed me to assistive technology during my first job at Redwood
School in Fort Mitchell, KY. I assisted with the feeding evaluations and relied
on adaptive equipment to help the children become independent with their
lunches. Good positioning was also important for their function and
participation in the classroom and on the playground. I became involved with
their seating and wheeled mobility. I was excited to use what I knew about the
body, while learning about the technology options that were available to
increase everyday functioning and mobility with the children at the school. It
was amazing to see the positive responses from the other children, staff and
especially the parents and other family members.
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Important event(s) that influenced
my early decision to get into the assistive technology field
I knew from the time I was 13 that I wanted to
become an Occupational Therapist. I was volunteering at a day camp for children
with disabilities and met the Occupational Therapist who worked there. I
immediately became interested in the idea of combining science and creativity
to accomplish everyday tasks like dressing and eating. My first exposure was a
hand-held device that helped button a shirt with one hand. ... I was hooked on
technology and what it could provide.
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Why I chose the AT
field
Meeting the Occupational
Therapist at Camp Stepping Stones in Cincinnati and seeing her utilize all
levels of technology-low to high tech options helped me decide to pursue OT and
learn more about AT.
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My inspiration and
mentor
There have been many people
along the way who have inspired or mentored me throughout my career. Elaine
Trefler encouraged me to submit to present at a conference (even though I
didn't think what I had to say was that important) and I continue to present at
conferences today. Peter Axelson and Anita Perr inspired me to become more
involved in RESNA by getting me involved in the Standards Committee which
really helped me understand all that takes place before a product or technology
comes to market. I will always be grateful for my family, friends, co-workers
and supervisors who encouraged me to continue to learn at every stage of my
career.
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Why the field is important to me
and the central focus of my work
I
have focused on seating and wheeled mobility and educating the next gengeration
of therapists and suppliers in various roles throughout my career from working
in a school system, 2 hospitals, a seating clinic, performing Joint Commission
accreditation surveys, a third party reviewer, 4 manufacturers and a rehab
equipment supplier. Each role exposed me to another aspect of the evaluation,
service, delivery, and funding systems utilized in assistive
technology.
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My memorable successes and
greatest contributions to the field
I
have been proud to work with individuals as a clinician to make a difference in
their lives. When I worked in a seating and mobility clinic, I evaluated
children for mobility devices. We were able to provide power wheelchairs that
allowed them to access independently their environment. For many years after
the evaluation, they sent me photos of their Halloween costumes. That made a
distinct memory for me that they were able to independently trick or treat due
to the technology that was provided and that their family integrated the
wheelchair into their costume. I have been able to cross over from clinician to
industry and tackle successfully many roles and jobs that were considered
non-traditional at the time.
I am proud of
my 11 year educational seminar in Georgia that still continues today to educate
therapists about the options in seating and wheeled mobility. It began as a
small event to educate therapists and grew to education for therapists all over
Georgia. I also feel that over the years in the industry I have been able to
communicate complicated clinical information and issues and work with the CRT
supplier to improve outcomes for their clients. I am also proud to be a part of
the team who advised Georgia Medicaid to "carve out" rehab equipment from their
general DME. This included for the first time registration in NRRTS and
eventually ATP/ATS certifications for the DME supplier, as well as standards
for repairs and service. They also included that the evaluation for the rehab
products would need to be completed by an OT or PT. I remain active with NCART
in the education and encouragement of our senators and house of representatives
to carve out complex rehab technology from general Medicare DME.
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My most memorable
failures
I can remember vividly the
first time I attempted a foam in place back with a supplier who was new to that
technology too. We had foam all over the floor. On our second attempt we
captured the form we needed.
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Significant changes and advances
in the field since I first entered it
Technology has evolved in every aspect of the
field since I entered it. Computers, the internet and email were almost unheard
of when I got out of OT school and now they are a way of life, a way to connect
with the world and a huge resource for education and access to peers. There are
also amazing changes and developments in the equipment available. I am glad to
see there is more research published and outcomes documented so we really can
say objectively something we had felt over the years about a type of technology
or a specific product and its positive impact on the individuals who use it.
The idea of universal design for products and having them in a more mainstream
arena is exciting too.
The electronics on
power wheelchairs, the technology advancements on communication systems and the
availability of all kinds of education, research and other product development
are all important advances in the field. As I write this there is a bill
introduced in the house and the senate carving complex rehab technology
products from general Medicare. I hope one day this is a reality and will
continue to improve access to these products and services.
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On the future of rehabilitation
engineering and assistive technology
I see
the need for technology growing and increasing the technology integrated with
everyday tasks as important as ever, especially as the technologies allow more
people to live their lives in their homes and communities instead of
facilities.
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My role within RESNA and what it
gave back to me
I have volunteered in
many roles at RESNA including membership and leadership roles in the Education,
Meetings and Standards Committees, the editorial board of the Assistive
Technology Journal, and the Board of Directors. I have regularly volunteered
and presented at the RESNA Annual Conferences. RESNA has enhanced my career by
introducing me to many people I feel are my friends that I can call on as a
resource or for advice. Quite often they are also processing and pondering the
same or similar situations. RESNA conferences has also provided me with the
most wonderful collection of totes that anyone can have!
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On the future of RESNA
I hope to see the profession continue to grow and
evolve with the common goal to continue to help create functional solutions for
the people we work with. I look forward to the "next" generation of therapists
and engineers and what they will develop.
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My suggestions for those just
entering the field
Welcome!! I hope
you enjoy the field as much as I have and find your professional "home" here at
RESNA.
"Get involved or volunteer in
something that interests you. Give yourself permission to be a beginner while
taking responsibility for being a learning, growing, reflective practitioner."
* These words were written to me by late grandfather when I graduated from
OT school.
