In this episode of WheelChat, Justin and Anton sit down with Ginny Paleg and Roslyn Livingstone to unpack a deceptively simple question: when, why and how should we be getting children and wheelchair users upright? The conversation moves from early standing and hip development through to powered standing, asymmetry, risk and the real-world decisions clinicians have to make.

You will hear why upright positioning matters from early childhood, why powered standing may support function but does not always replace a separate standing frame, and why “not perfectly aligned” does not automatically mean “do not stand”. The episode also covers practical setup checks including colour, oxygen saturation, breathing, pelvis and trunk alignment, foot stability, knee support, AFOs, firm footwear, knee immobilizers and cervical collar use when clinically appropriate.

Ginny and Roslyn are introduced in the episode as experienced PT and OT clinicians, researchers and lead authors in standing, stepping and power mobility. Listen for the practical clinical reasoning, the myth-busting, and Justin’s plain-language summary at the end.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

Episode 2 of Season 2 is here! 

This episode of Wheel Chat answers a deceptively simple clinical question: how do we use standards to make better wheelchair seating decisions, especially when the common default is not necessarily the best clinical option?

Justin speaks with Barend about ISO standards, pelvic belt positioning, four-point belt use, wheelchair transport tie-downs, cushion testing and pressure injury prevention. 

The practical takeaways are clear: wheelchair belts are positioning devices, not car seatbelts; cushion choice should consider tissue viability, positioning and function; and pressure injury prevention is far easier than treatment.

Barend has decades of experience in wheelchair seating and standards development. Listen in for a practical, clinician-friendly conversation that turns standards into everyday prescription decisions.

Subscribe, leave us a review and share this episode with every clinician and wheelchair rep you know!

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We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about this podcast, please email us at [email protected]

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

We are back for Season 2 — and we are kicking things off in a big way.

I'll be honest with you. Hip abduction in non-ambulant children is one of those topics that every clinician I know has wrestled with at some point. How much abduction is enough? Are we helping or are we making things worse? Should every non-ambulant child be sitting in abduction? And what on earth do we do with a windswept deformity?

I've been hearing Dr. Mathias Axt's name out in the traps for years whenever these questions come up — and now I finally got him on the pod. Dr. Axt is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience in children's hospitals, specialising in hip development, surgical management, and long-term outcomes in non-ambulant children. The man knows his stuff, and he does not hold back.

This episode is for you whether you're a clinician, a wheelchair rep, or a parent or end user trying to make sense of what you've been told about seating and hips. We cut through the confusion and get into the real clinical principles that should be driving these decisions.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why hips migrate in children with cerebral palsy — and why they're normal at birth
• The role of muscle imbalance, Coxa Valga, and antetorsion in hip displacement
• Why abduction is a tool, not a rule — and what the 20-degree principle actually means
• The danger of forcefully abducting an already subluxed hip
• Windswept deformity — what it is, why it matters, and how to seat around it
• Why frog leg positioning is something we want to avoid and what to do instead
• The problem with standard contoured cushions and why flat cushions with adjustable pommels may serve these kids better
• Why pelvis rotation is more important than leg symmetry
• The call for better collaboration between clinicians, wheelchair reps, and manufacturers

This one genuinely changed the way I'm thinking about how we seat these kids. Subscribe, leave us a review, and share this with every clinician and wheelchair rep you know because this conversation needs to keep going.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

In this follow-up to their popular appearance on Episode 16, Cathy Harries and Andrea Hinckley from Second Skin return to Wheel Chat for a deep dive into cerebral palsy—covering early intervention, postural care across the lifespan, and how dynamic splinting can change the game for function, comfort, and quality of life.

From toddlers learning to sit, to teenagers building independence, to adults managing pain and postural changes—this episode is packed with clinical insights, practical strategies, and honest conversations about what’s possible with the right goals, tools, and timing.

What’s in this episode:

• When to consider dynamic splints for children with CP (and what to look for)
• Why “low function” never means “no function”
• The truth about splints: soft, dynamic, and made for real-life wear
• Real-world case stories: from walking trails in Cairns to managing pain at work
• Managing transitions to adulthood: posture, pain, and long-term planning
• Setting goals, managing expectations, and getting buy-in from teens
• How to fund and fit Second Skin into a client’s broader care plan

Whether you're new to cerebral palsy care or supporting long-term clients, this episode offers a realistic, hopeful, and clinically grounded look at supporting posture and participation at every stage of life.

Connect with Andrea:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-hinckley-891677223/

Find out more about Second Skin: https://www.secondskin.com.au/

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We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about this podcast, please email us at [email protected]

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

In this episode of Wheel Chat, Anton and Justin are joined by Cathy Harries and Andrea Hinckley from Second Skin, an Australian-based team of OTs specialising in custom dynamic splints and compression garments. Together, they dig deep into tone management after stroke, the clinical realities of spasticity, and why slings might be doing more harm than good.

With decades of experience and a passion for client-centred innovation, Cathy and Andrea share expert insights on early intervention, splinting strategies, and the critical role of comfort, posture, and pain reduction in long-term outcomes.

What’s in this episode:

• What tone really is—and why it's more complex than “high” or “low”
• Rethinking shoulder slings: when they help, when they harm
• Post-stroke splinting: timing, goals, and who it’s right for
• Neuroplasticity, function, and why “late” isn’t too late
• Seating, transfers, and pain management as essential goals
• Powerful real-world stories that show the impact of the right intervention
• How to manage expectations without losing hope

This conversation is full of practical takeaways for therapists, rehab teams, and anyone working with post-stroke clients—and we’re hoping to continue it in a future episode.

Connect with Andrea:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-hinckley-891677223/

Find out more about Second Skin: https://www.secondskin.com.au/

Email us :
We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about this podcast, please email us at [email protected]

Follow us : TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@wheelchat_podcast

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

Back by popular demand, Alex Chesney returns to Wheel Chat! In this episode, Anton and Justin sit down once again with the brilliant neurological OT and clinical education lead from Quantum Rehab for a deep dive into power wheelchair technology, product design, and real-world performance.

From the evolution of the Quantum Stretto and Edge 3 to navigating aesthetic vs. functional needs, crash testing realities, and what actually matters to users this conversation covers it all, with the usual mix of humour, insight, and honesty.

What’s in this episode:

• Why aesthetics, performance, and power base layout all matter
• The evolution of Quantum’s Stretto and how it compares to the Edge 3
• Front-wheel drive for bariatric clients and oedema: clinical benefits and limitations
• Crash testing, transport tie-down myths, and international funding frustrations
• Global wheelchair wish lists: what the “dream chair” really looks like
• Why innovation often stalls and how funding systems play a role
• Alex’s inspiring work with RSVP Texas and what it takes to build grassroots access

This one is packed with product insights, practical takeaways, and a few unexpected laughs. Whether you're a clinician, ATP, or just a power chair enthusiast, you won’t want to miss it.

https://www.rsvptexas.org/

https://quantumrehab.co.uk/

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We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about this podcast, please email us at [email protected]

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

In this episode of Wheel Chat, Anton Mitchell and Justin Boulos catch up to unpack a few standout cases from their week—including a powerful moment of first-time independent mobility for a young client with complex cerebral palsy needs.

From clever adaptations and growth planning to the value of simplicity and knowing when not to start from scratch, this conversation is packed with practical strategies, clinical insights, and those feel-good moments that remind us why we do what we do.

What’s in this episode:

• Power wheelchair trial success: driving down fear and up a steep Blue Mountains driveway
• Smart scripting for abduction, post-op spinal supports, and custom footrests
• Simple tips for supporting safe learning in first-time power mobility users
• Growth management in children’s wheelchairs: depth, width, and practical workarounds
• Knowing when to refurbish vs. replace—and why a small fix can make a big difference
• Why reps (yes, reps!) need to write better notes
• The importance of celebrating small wins in the assessment and delivery process

Whether you're a therapist, rep, parent, or AT enthusiast, this episode is full of the real-world reflections and relatable wins that make Wheel Chat what it is.

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We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about this podcast, please email us at [email protected]

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

In this episode of Wheel Chat, hosts Anton Mitchell and Justin Boulos are joined by Michiel Van Der Bauwhede from CoMoveIT to explore breakthrough thinking in alternative wheelchair controls - specifically for individuals with complex movement disorders such as cerebral palsy.

Michiel shares the story behind CoMoveIT’s head and foot steering system - an adaptive control solution born out of university research and driven by a mission to restore confidence and mobility for users who are often overlooked by conventional joystick or switch options.

What’s in this episode:

• Why traditional switches and joysticks don’t work for many people with cerebral palsy
• How adaptive algorithms can “learn” a user’s movement patterns for smoother control
• The importance of closed-chain positioning in reducing tone and increasing function
• When to consider head and foot control systems - and what signs to look for
• The difference between switch, proportional, and adaptive controls
• Gaming, independence, and access to digital worlds through alternative drive methods
• The role of posture, support, and tone management in enabling safe powered mobility

Whether you're a clinician, assistive tech provider, or someone supporting a user with complex physical needs, this episode offers a detailed, practical, and inspiring look into what's possible when technology adapts to the user - not the other way around.

https://comoveit.com/en/

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We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about this podcast, please email us at [email protected]

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

In this episode of Wheel Chat, hosts Anton Mitchell and Justin Boulos are joined by Alex Chesney, a neurological occupational therapist and clinical educator with Quantum Rehab, for a deep dive into the intersection of stroke rehabilitation and powered mobility.

With a strong clinical and research-based perspective, Alex challenges common assumptions about safety, cognition, and visual neglect in post-stroke clients, making the case for more trial, more programming, and less premature judgment when it comes to powered chairs.

What’s in this episode:

• Why visual neglect doesn’t automatically disqualify someone from using a power wheelchair
• How short, structured training can dramatically improve outcomes
• Key programming adjustments every therapist should consider
• Rethinking mobility goals: independence versus recovery
• How smart technologies like cameras and sensors are redefining safety and access
• The critical role of therapists in enabling—not limiting—mobility options

Packed with practical strategies, clinical reasoning, and real-world tips, this conversation will leave therapists, assistive tech professionals, and rehab providers with a refreshed perspective on what’s possible in post-stroke mobility.

Connect with Alexandra Chesney:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrachesney/

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We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about this podcast, please email us at [email protected]

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.

In this episode of Wheel Chat, hosts Anthony Mitchell and Justin Boulos are joined by Spanish occupational therapist and clinical educator Rubén Serrano, known for his evidence-based content on wheelchair seating and biomechanics. Broadcasting all the way from Spain, Rubén brings clarity, passion, and precision to the often misunderstood world of MAT assessments, hip development, and seating strategies for complex postures.

From biomechanical insights to real-world clinical challenges, this episode explores what it really means to provide intelligent, functional, and safe wheelchair seating—backed by science, not guesswork.

What’s in this episode?

• Why MAT (Mechanical Assessment Tool) assessments matter—and how to do them right
• Understanding hip subluxation, internal rotation, and the biomechanics behind seating decisions
• Standing vs. seating: What really helps prevent hip dislocation in children?
• The truth about pommels, abductors, and contoured cushions
• How tight hamstrings, spinal alignment, and pelvic rotation all connect
• Real talk on clinical decision-making, cultural differences, and user goals
• Why assessments must go beyond checklists and embrace function, tolerance, and anatomy

 Whether you're new to MAT assessments or looking to deepen your understanding of complex seating needs, this episode delivers practical takeaways and thought-provoking perspectives.  A must-listen for therapists, ATPs, and anyone striving to turn clinical theory into real-world seating solutions. 

Connect with Rubén Serrano:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubenserrano_to/

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rub%C3%A9n-serrano-b0bba141/

Email us :
We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about this podcast, please email us at [email protected]

Follow us : TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@wheelchat_podcast

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of Anthony and Justin.