Wheelchair Nerds

This special episode is taken from a recent webinar focusing on bridging the gap between user experience and clinical expertise when going in for a wheelchair evaluation. Featuring ‪Spinergy ambassador and social media influencer, Tara Shetterly, and regional clinical education manager from Permobil, Catherine Sweeney, PT, ATP/SMS, you’ll hear a user and clinician's perspective on how to advocate for your needs, what questions to ask, and how to make the most of every clinic visit.

In this episode, Jim Stephenson (Senior Market Access Manager at Permobil) and Tamara Kittelson (Executive Director of the Clinician Task Force) unpack recent changes in Medicare’s five-year wheelchair replacement policy. They explore what the new rules mean for end users, clinicians, and providers, especially the removal of the face-to-face requirement and the implications for clinical evaluations. Tamara shares her decades of experience in complex rehab technology, her personal journey as an OT and mother, and the mission behind Eleanore’s Project, which helps children in Peru access wheelchairs. The conversation also highlights the importance of regular evaluations, advocacy, and the evolving role of clinicians in ensuring optimal seating and mobility outcomes. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the surprising removal of ICD-10 diagnosis codes for seating and positioning products, a change that could improve access but also demands stronger clinical documentation.

Welcome to Episode 54 of the podcast, where we interview Collin Pollock. Collin has SMA type 3 and is an entrepreneur. He started WheelyQ Barbecue about 10 years ago, and it has been growing steadily ever since. We talked to him about how he started his business, how he manages his daily routine with SMA, and so many other fun tidbits.

Hawken Miller and Sarah Gaver join host Angie Kiger to compare front-, mid-, and rear-wheel drive power chairs. From terrain and transfers to independence and advocacy, they share real-world insights that help clinicians and users make informed decisions about wheelchair configurations and how they impact daily living, mobility, and self-confidence.

In this episode of Wheelchair Nerds, we sit down with occupational therapist Lee Ann Hoffman, OTD, MSc, OTR, ATP/SMS, to talk all things posture, seating, and the little details that make a big difference. She is currently the assistant program director and assistant professor of OT Programs at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Lee Ann shares her journey from South Africa to Texas, her passion for 24-hour posture care, and why a towel or pillow might be the most underrated tools in rehab. She opens up about lessons learned, the importance of collaboration, and how even small changes, like adjusting a webcam, can impact comfort and function. This episode is packed with practical insights mixed with a little bit of humor.

In this episode, we talk with Ryan Harrison, a field marketing manager at United Access. We discuss the intricacies of adaptive vehicles, the various hand controls available, and the importance of industry awareness. Ryan also shares his personal journey, from a motorcycle accident to finding a new passion in competitive shooting. Whether you're curious about adaptive driving or interested in the latest innovations in the industry, you'll want to tune into this episode!

Sharon Sutherland, a world-renown 24-hour posture care expert, joins Wheelchair Nerds for our 50th episode! Sharon shares her journey from sports physiotherapy to becoming a specialist in seating and positioning. We cover the importance of hands-on evaluations, understanding payer policies, and the impact of 24-hour positioning on health. Sharon addresses misconceptions about custom molded seating and dynamic solutions, emphasizing their role in managing complex needs. The conversation also explores the significance of sleep positioning, the challenges of telehealth evaluations, and the necessity of thorough assessments by trained clinicians.

In this episode of Wheelchair Nerds, hosts Angie Kiger and Hawken Miller welcome David Miller, a regional clinical education manager for Permobil. David has diverse experience as an occupational therapist, ranging from a school therapist in the New York City public school system to a seating mobility specialist at Helen Hayes Hospital to an educator of complex rehabilitation technology in his current role. He explains how he discovered his passion for seating, mobility, and complex rehabilitation technology and gave specific examples in his career where it changed lives. The conversation also delves into the evolution of wheelchair technology, the innovative solutions that have transformed the industry over the years, and the impact of manual tilt-in-space chairs.

Join host Angie Kiger and Hawken Miller on Wheelchair Nerds as they interview Mark Fuglevand, founder of Abilitease. Mark, a C6 incomplete quadriplegic, shares his journey from a diving accident at 18 to creating affordable adaptive tools. We talk to Mark about transitioning from accounting to 3D printing, developing products that solve everyday problems and allow for independence. His innovations have impacted hundreds of lives, and we get to hear some of those incredible stories. Mark has been through at least a dozen manual wheelchairs, so he also shares his thoughts on the importance of personalized wheelchair adjustments, and his vision for the future of adaptive technology.

We welcome Lisa Kenyon, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS, and professor at Grand Valley State University, to this episode of Wheelchair Nerds, where we discuss all things on-time mobility. This conversation ranges from Lisa's wide-ranging experience in pediatric power mobility to stories about kids she's helped independently move to why she does it all. ***SHOW NOTES*** Andrina Sabet et al. article "ON Time Mobility: Advocating for Mobility Equity" (2022) - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35943383/ Lisbeth Nilsson 2014 article about Assessment of Learning Powered Mobility Use tool - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25357100/ Heather Feldner, Sam Logan, Bethany Sloane et al study on Ride-On Car usage - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7529107/ "Short-Term Powered Mobility Intervention Is Associated With Improvements in Development and Participation for Young Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial" - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39450982/ "Powered Mobility Device Use and Developmental Change of Young Children with Cerebral Palsy" - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37232636/ Wheelchair Skills program - Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia - https://wheelchairskillsprogram.ca/en/