Wheelchair Nerds

his week on Wheelchair Nerds, guest host Nicole LaBerge, PT, ATP teams up with Jenn Gray, OT, ATP and Caroline Pennell to dive deep into the realm of custom wheelchair seating. Jenn explains what custom seating is and emphasizes that custom solutions can be simple yet incredibly effective, while Caroline shares her journey of finding the perfect personalized seating option that truly meets her needs, after exploring both off-the-shelf and fully customized, molded alternatives.

Experience the insightful discussion on Wheelchair Nerds as we delve into the world of dependent mobility with Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ATP/SMS. Discover essential tips for conducting seating evaluations for individuals who are non-verbal, explore the practical applications of tilt-in-space manual wheelchairs, gain valuable advice on navigating funding sources, and uncover the dynamic components of seating and positioning crucial for dependent mobility.

Join me, Angie Kiger, on Wheelchair Nerds as we dive into the fascinating world of the Abilities Expo in Episode 27: Abilities Expo: past, present, and future. This episode features an insightful conversation with Lou, who has been instrumental in shaping the Expo for over 15 years. Discover the rich history of the Abilities Expo, from its inception by Pat and Dick Wooten to its current status as a vital event for the disability community. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of organizing these expos across the country and the profound impact they have on attendees. Whether you're a user, prescriber, or provider of mobility equipment, this episode offers valuable insights into the Expo's role in advocacy and community building. Don't miss this engaging exploration of a cornerstone event in the world of disability and mobility.

Get ready for an exciting new season of Wheelchair Nerds! Join us as we dive into a fascinating conversation with songwriter and producer Corey "Pheez" Lee, exploring the world of music, the creative writing process, the art of recording, and the incredible role that adaptive technologies play in making it all happen.

In our last episode of season one of Wheelchair Nerds, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jen Lyman, the Resource Content Manager for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF). Our conversation delved into the captivating history and current state of the CPF's annual accessible holiday gift guide. We were given an exclusive preview of the exciting new gift ideas that have made their way into this year's guide, as well as a selection of unbeatable favorites.

In this episode of Wheelchair Nerds, we had the privilege of sitting down with Centra "CeCe" Mazyck, an Army veteran, to delve into her journey both before and after her injury. CeCe shared with us the incredible impact that different nonprofit organizations and people had on her journey to success post-injury, emphasizing the importance of finding supportive communities and engaging in activities that promote mental well-being.

Join us for an eye-opening discussion on the importance of material choice in ultralightweight manual wheelchairs. Our special guests, Jim Stephenson and occupational therapist Thomas Halka, delve into the clinical applications of aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. They also shed light on the bill H.R. 5371, known as the Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2023, which was recently presented in the U.S. House of Representatives on September 8th.

In this episode of Wheelchair Nerds, we have an exciting topic on our hands: the journey of transforming a wheelchair concept into a fully realized product. Join us as we engage in a conversation with Doug Garven, the principal product manager and creator of the TiLite CR1, and Martin Connolly, the visionary Founder and President/CEO of Spinergy. Together, they will share their insights and experiences on how they turned the innovative idea of the TiLite CR1 into a remarkable finished product that is now available in the market.

Listen to episode 18 Wheelchair Nerds as we explore the exciting world of adaptive costume creation for Halloween and beyond! Tune in as we chat with Matt Lowell, MPT from Shriners Children's' Salt Lake City, and Lon Davis, the visionary founder of Walkin' & Rollin' Costumes.