Jean L. Minkel, BS,
PT
Born: April 9, 1958 -
Boston, MA
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Entry into the AT field:
1982
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How I got into the
field
I am a physical therapist who
started in pediatrics. In school, I was trained on gait/ambulation. At my first
job I was the primary therapist for 21 children with multiple disabilities.
Much to my surprise, only one child ambulated, all the rest used a chair as
their primary mobility device. I soon found I was just as happy with a socket
wrench in my hand fixing chairs as I was trying to use "Bobath techniques" to
"normalize tone". Finding RESNA was like a kid finding a candy store. Finally a
group of professionals who shared my passion for trying to find functional
solutions for people with long term disabilities.
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Important event(s) that influenced
my early decision to get into the assistive technology field
The children of the Mass Hospital School (MHS)
were my initial inspiration. MHS is a unique residential educational facility
for children with multiple disabilities. I gained a 24/7 perspective of life
with a disability. PT was only one piece to the complex puzzle of devices,
supports, strategies and assistance needed for a young person to become a
functional adult with a disability.
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Why I chose the AT
field
In pediatric PT, you need to be
very patient. There is maturation, surgeries, orthotics, OT, PT, Speech,
school, etc. Seeing results of your work can take a very long time. I am afraid
I was not that patient. When I first had the opportunity to put a previously
non-mobile child into a power chair and watch him "do donuts" with a huge grin
- there was an immediate reward.
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My inspiration and
mentor
I have had three important
mentors, all of whom I met through RESNA. Martin Ferguson-Pell enabled me to be
part of creating the Center for Rehab Technology (CRT) at Helen Hayes Hospital
in NY. CRT had a mission of providing service delivery, generating research
questions and providing educational opportunities. Attracting a talented,
multi-disciplinary staff, CRT quickly gained a national reputation. A superb
example of the mission coming to life was CRT's contribution to the development
and testing of interface pressure mapping systems. C. Gerald Warren was the
visionary behind the RESNA credentialing program. My first contract was to
develop Gerry's vision into a concrete program. Throughout the process, Gerry
imparted his wisdom, integrity and total commitment to the high standards of
"Quality Assurance" which had a huge impact on my practice. Mette Norgaard has
been a professional coach and wonderful long-time friend. Our paths first
"crossed" when Mette worked for E&J. I first viewed the video tape series
on power mobility for children Metter produced while at MHS. Ten years later, I
would be producing the videotapes, "Spending or Investing: Funding of Assistive
Technology" in collaboration with Mette in her role as Chair of Industrial
Relations Committee. Mette has been a wonderful mentor in the fine art of
balancing life and the passion for AT (which can become all
consuming).
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Why the field is important to me
and the central focus of my work
I
love to think we make a difference in people's lives. Twenty-five years after
beginning this journey, I have the same belief. I was asked a similar question
ten years ago and my answer is the same today, I work to assist people I work
with to be as successful as possible. I strive to have our field be as
successful as the people we serve.
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My memorable successes and
greatest contributions to the field
Three years after leaving MHS to move to NY,
Louie, a former non-verbal student with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy invited
himself to NY for the weekend. (I lived in a third floor walk up.) No problem,
Louie had it all worked out. We had a wonderful weekend using all kinds of
assistive technology. The real thrill was just to be together in NYC having
FUN! This young man's spirit and self-confidence was a thrill to experience and
share. I consider myself part of the "second generation" of RESNA. I was the
beneficiary of pioneers like McLaurin, Hobson, Trefler, Bergen, Milner, Warren,
etc. I have made two solid contributions which will strengthen the foundation
of our profession: Facilitating the creation of the ATP and ATS credentials
from "blue print" to a reality and contributing to the creation of the CPT code
for AT Assessment.
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My most memorable
failures
I once had a colleague, who
when asked to define failure gave the following response; "I define failure as
getting nothing out of a situation. Using that definition, I have never failed,
as I always try and learn something from each situation." However, there was
the time I recommended and delivered a new adaptive stroller system for a
family who came to CRT. Brilliant technology I thought! Six months later they
was back in the clinic for an adaptive stroller. They acted as if they had
never seen me. Their daughter was in a traditional umbrella stroller. No
mention of the recently delivered system was made. So I asked, "What about the
system you received six months ago?" Apparently it was the system they sold at
the yard sale! The family explained the "brilliant technology" was not
functional for a family with several young children when in a parking lot in
the grocery store. I learned a very valuable lesson about listening for true
need and seeking truly functional solutions, not just falling for "brilliant
technology."
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Significant changes and advances
in the field since I first entered it
In my "early days", when we had "no equipment,"
we had a lot of fun "making things." It was a great thrill to be apart of the
R&D of so many "commercially available" products. In those early days, the
RESNA Exhibit Hall was the showplace of a lot of "garage" inventors. Because AT
relies on 3rd party payment, increasing restrictions on available funding has
created new challenges. The time is right for increased collaboration with
groups representing all the varied stakeholders, most importantly groups
involving persons with disabilities. One of the greatest changes in the last 25
years is the overwhelming presence of technology in our everyday lives.
Everyone expects access to "time saving" technologies. The general population's
familiarity with technology has taken much of the "technophobia" away from
assistive technology. Unfortunately, especially in the area of seating and
mobility, just as more technology comes available, the quality of manufactured
products is going down. Partly because of changes in the 3rd party payment
system and partly due to changes in worldwide manufacturing, our durable
medical products are not nearly as durable as they were 10-15 years ago.
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On the future of rehabilitation
engineering and assistive technology
There is no reason our future can not be bright
if we are willing to be open and flexible to changes around us. The marked
decrease in "technophobia" along with the increase in persons aging both into
disability and with a disability, are two factors which create demand for our
goods and services. We need to be open to evidence-based research. Change is
not to be feared, but to be embraced and allowed to go on to create a larger,
stronger field of service and product development.
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My role within RESNA and what it
gave back to me
I have been a
long-standing member of the ANSI/RESNA W/C Standards Committee, Chair of the
PSB and Treasurer. I serve as RESNA's representative to the Program Advisory
and Oversight Committee on Competitive Acquisition for DEMPOS. Through my
involvement in W/C Standards I have been able to establish an international
network of colleagues. Because of my standards involvement I, along with my
colleagues Peter Axelson and Rory Cooper, contributed to the development of the
IBOT™ brought to the market by Johnson & Johnson. I have successfully
managed an independent consulting company for 10 years by combining skills of
technical translation of clinical need and visa versa. All of my activities
within RESNA have contributed to the long-term success of this
venture.
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On the future of RESNA
With sufficient focus, RESNA could greatly
contribute to Evidenced Based Research influencing public policy. The field is
in desperate need of research to support the products and services being
provided by our members. A focused research agenda to support clinical practice
and product reimbursement will be critical to our future as an organization and
more importantly to the persons with disabilities in need of the highest
quality goods and services.
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My suggestions for those just
entering the field
Keep the passion
in mind! What drew you to this field? Never lose sight of that goal. Always
keep the functional independence of clients, so they can achieve maximal social
participation, foremost in your mind. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to
have found work I love to do! It is truly a gift. Keep looking for ways to have
your own work be FUN, rewarding and Love doing IT!
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