Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Category: Member News
Can you share a bit about your background and how it aligns with RESNA’s mission?
My journey into assistive technology (AT) is an unusual one, starting with a degree in English literature and a background in technical theater. After my final gig as a technical director for a national tour, I shifted gears and took a position at the Matheny School and Special Hospital in New Jersey, where I began learning about specialized seating and mobility. I once explained this career change to a friend by saying that instead of animating animatronics for parade floats, I now animate people.
This story aligns perfectly with RESNA’s mission: to maximize the health and well-being of people with disabilities through technology. Much like animating a puppet, my role is to empower individuals with the tools they need to achieve independent movement and enhance their quality of life. My background in technical theater taught me how to creatively solve problems with equipment, a skill that has served me well in the AT field.
How did you first get involved in RESNA?
My first RESNA conference was in Toronto in 1992, and I was immediately hooked. From then on, I attended RESNA conferences regularly, especially the ones held on the East Coast. I pursued my Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification in 1998, which gave me professional standing in the field. Later, while working at Helen Hayes Hospital, I collaborated with RESNA leaders to help develop the RET and SMS credentials. Today, as an employee of Children’s Specialized Hospital, I continue my involvement by serving on RESNA's Professional Standards Board (PSB) and its Standards Committee for emergency staircase evacuation devices.
What is the innovation that earned you recognition at the 2025 RESNA Developer’s Showcase, and what makes it unique?
The innovation I developed is an early intervention powered wheelchair (eiPWC), designed for very young children. What makes it unique is that it re-purposes and adapts an adult portable power chair, rather than being built from scratch. This offers a more flexible and cost-effective solution for infants and toddlers.
Key features and adaptations of the eiPWC include:
- Upgraded, expandable controller: Allows for customized programming of balance, speed, power, and direction to match each child's needs.
- Adapter for supportive seating: Integrates a commercially available early intervention seating system, complete with tilt and recline functions.
- Mounting for medical equipment: Further adaptations allow for the secure mounting of a ventilator and oxygen tank for children with more complex medical needs.
- The result is a versatile system that allows a child's positioning chair to be easily transferred to a lightweight, programmable power base with a wide range of drive interface options. We have already seen excellent results with this system on the inpatient infant/toddler unit at Children’s Specialized Hospital.
What role has RESNA played in your professional growth and the success of this project?
RESNA has been an indispensable resource throughout my career and was integral to the development of the eiPWC. It provided a steady, grounding force through my various career changes, from Matheny to Helen Hayes to Quantum Rehab and beyond. More than just a source of education, RESNA has fostered a sense of camaraderie and helped me build life-long friendships with other professionals. The ATP/SMS and RET certifications I earned also gave me crucial credibility among my peers.
Most importantly, the eiPWC is not just my creation—it is a culmination of the knowledge I have gained from everyone who has been part of my professional journey. The collaborative spirit and shared knowledge within the RESNA community are what allowed this innovative idea to come to fruition.