Wheelchair Nerds

Tune in to the latest episode of Wheelchair Nerds as we explore the advancements in air travel advocacy with special guests Alex Bennewith and Kent Keyser from the United Spinal Association. Delve into the rich history and mission of the United Spinal Association, along with resources like local chapters and support groups. Our discussion goes into two crucial developments in advocacy and travel:...

0In this episode of Wheelchair Nerds, we have the pleasure of welcoming speech language pathologist and assistive technology professional, Debbie Perry, MSR, CCC-SLP, ATP to delve into the vital role that speech therapists play in the pediatric evaluation process for mobility products. Our discussion covers topics such as the vital role communication plays in the evaluation process, timely mobilit...

In this heartwarming episode of Wheelchair Nerds, I sit down with Juliet Justice, a dynamic mom who shares her journey of motherhood while using a wheelchair. Juliet opens up about her life as a cancer and medical malpractice survivor, and how she navigated the challenges of growing up with limited mobility. She reveals her initial hesitations about motherhood and the joy of discovering she could...

Delving into the world of disability representation in the arts, we have the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly talented Joci Scott on this exciting episode of Wheelchair Nerds. Joci, renowned for her captivating performances in short films and her dynamic presence in the Rollettes dance team, offers her unique perspective as an actor, singer, and dancer in the industry.

In this episode of Wheelchair Nerds, we discuss the world of alternative drive controls for power wheelchairs with complex rehab industry veteran Lindsey Rea. From simply changing the standard joystick programming to switching to an alternative input device, Lindsey and Angie talk about approaching each wheelchair evaluation with curiosity and a willingness to try different solutions.

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 nee...

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...

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...

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.

Get ready to roll into a whole new dimension of insightful conversations and captivating stories with the upcoming season of Wheelchair Nerds! 

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...

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...

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 i...

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 experi...

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.

In this episode of Wheelchair Nerds, we're joined by Bobby Brown, a clinical psychologist and end user, and Kara Kopplin, Director of Regulatory Science for Permobil to discuss how science meets application in wheelchair cushion design. Bobby shares his personal journey of discovering the immense importance of selecting the perfect cushion for his needs, while Kara provides valuable insights into...

In Episode 16 of Wheelchair Nerds, titled "A Mission of Mobility," I, Angie Kiger, dive into the inspiring work of the Permobil Foundation. Joining me are Ashley Davis, the foundation's executive director, and Amy Burnett, a wheelchair user and board member. We explore the foundation's mission to support individuals denied by insurance, providing essential mobility equipment to enhance independenc...

In Episode 15 of Wheelchair Nerds, join me, Angie Kiger, as we dive into the latest updates on seat elevation coverage. In this special report, I'm joined by Jim Stevenson, Senior Market Access Manager at Permobil, to discuss the significant progress made since CMS announced the medical necessity of power seat elevation on May 16th. We explore the impact on Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, t...

In Episode 14 of Wheelchair Nerds, we dive into essential tips for clinicians and families as kids head back to school, especially those using wheelchairs. I'm your host, Angie Kiger, and I'm joined by experts Erin and Stephanie, both experienced physical therapists. We explore the importance of early mobility, addressing common concerns from parents about using mobility devices. Our discussion hi...

Join us on the newest episode of Wheelchair Nerds as we delve into the topic of maneuvering through school with a wheelchair. We have the pleasure of being joined by Tiffany and her daughter Sophia, as well as Sophia's physical therapist, Erin Baker from Nemours Children's Hospital in Florida. Together, we will explore Sophia's journey, tracing her path from pre-K all the way to her starting high...

Join me, Angie Kiger, in Episode 12 of Wheelchair Nerds as we wrap up our travel series with guests Jared and Christy. In this episode, we dive into the real-life challenges of wheelchair travel, moving beyond the ideal scenarios to reveal the unexpected hurdles faced by wheelchair users. Christy shares her expertise as a travel agent specializing in accessible travel, while Jared recounts persona...

In this engaging episode, I welcome back Christy Durso and introduce Jared Nieder, both experienced wheelchair travelers. Christy shares her insights as a manual wheelchair user, offering tips on selecting destinations based on personal interests and accessibility. Jared, a power wheelchair user, discusses the intricacies of air travel, including the importance of communicating with airlines and p...

In the first of our series highlighting travel, we dive into all things accessible travel with Kristy Durso, the owner of Incredible Memories Travel. Kristy brings her expertise and passion for travel to this conversation. We talk tips for traveling and highlight some must visit places the US and abroad.

In Episode 9 of Wheelchair Nerds, I dive into the groundbreaking news about Power Seat Elevate coverage with my guests, Jim Stevenson and Allie Ingersoll. We explore the recent decision by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to classify Power Seat Elevate as medically necessary, a significant shift that could influence other insurers. Jim, a senior market access manager at Permobil...

Listen as we discuss common myths and misconceptions surrounding standing power wheelchairs from clinician concerns to funding questions. We're joined by Jim Stephenson and Ashley Detterbeck for this interesting conversation.