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July 15, 2015 | 0 Comments
By Alexis Snyder | Sara, age 12, is a long time Convaid user. She has a metabolic
disorder that causes low muscle tone and fatigue, and although she can walk she
tires quickly. Her Convaid EZ Rider helps her to get around for longer distances and
to conserve energy. Her disorder also causes problems with tolerating heat, and
thanks Convaid’s easily attachable sun canopy she can stay out of the sun.
When out and about with Sara’s Convaid, our family often gets stopped by other
families who want to know what type of chair she has and where and how they
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can get one. The answer is simple. After we fill them in on everything Convaid, we
let people know that they can either ask their doctor or therapist, who can help
with the insurance process and set them up with a seating specialist in their area.
Sara has been so fortunate over the years to have a terrific team of people
supporting her who ensure her that mobility needs are met. That said, several years
ago when Sara was still small enough to use a stroller but began to outgrow it, we
too were at loss for what to do next. We turned to our long time physical therapist
from Franciscan Hospital for Children, Carrie Barlow PT, PCS. Carrie made an
appointment for Sara at a seating clinic that takes place monthly at Franciscan. It
was through this seating clinic where we were first introduced to Sandro Leone
ATP, an assistive technology professional from National Seating and Mobility. We
have worked with this dynamic duo several times over the years to obtain
wheelchairs for Sara as she outgrows them overtime. Carrie is central to the whole
process by communicating Sara’s needs during the seating clinic and writing a
letter of medical necessity for insurance.
Carrie states that,
“One of my biggest goals as a PT is to make sure children can move freely
and easily in all kinds of environments. Sometimes that means using a
mobility device, like a Convaid. I want the device to be comfortable and to
meet the child’s positioning needs. I want the child to be the center of
attention, not hidden behind technology. The device has to be easy for
families to use, not only when she is sitting in it but also when getting it
in and out of a car. Working together with the family, the child and the
ATP, we can come up with recommendations that meet everyone’s
needs.”
Sandro listens to the
information provided from
both Carrie and our family to
determine what wheelchair
might best meet Sara’s needs.
Based on this information
Sandro then brings several
different style chairs to the
appointment for Sara to “test
drive” and takes body
measurements to ensure the proper fit when ordering. Several years back when we
first met Sandro he introduced Sara to the Convaid Cruiser. Sara fell in love with the
comfortable and supportive chair and has been a Convaid user ever since. Sandro is
a pleasure to work with. He is always smiling and making the kids in the clinic
comfortable. After more than 30 years supplying durable medical equipment for
customers with special needs he knows his products well and is valuable asset to
finding the right chair.
helping families of special needs
youth enjoy their freedom and lead
full, active lives. We understand
that our community needs a
wheelchair that is lightweight,
convenient and easy to handle,
while also colorful and
contemporary in style. Our
products are designed to provide
optimal comfort, safety and
mobility for your child and the
optimal flexibility for your family
so you can really go places.
Mobility Made to Order | Convaid
maintains no standing inventory of
wheelchairs. Each of our products
is individually assembled to order
just for you. We partner with
dealers, therapists and caregivers
to customize each wheelchair to
meet each individual's physical
needs.
Mobility Made to Last | Convaid
mobility products are best-in-class
and made to last. they are subject
to rigorous performance and
safety testing that exceeds
industry standards and FDA
requirements and are backed by a
lifetime unconditional warranty.
Mobility Made Affordable | Convaid
products are affordable and cost
slightly more than a standard
wheelchair, with a big difference in
performance, durability and value.
Our satisfied community of
consumers in our strongest
marketing tool.
Made in the USA | All Convaid
products are proudly made at our
manfucaturing facility in Torrance,
California by craftspeople who
When asked what being an ATP means to him, Sandro, who describes
himself as not being a man on many words, simply said,
“My best strength is listening to family’s and customers’ goals with
compassion and respect.”
This was especially true when we most recently worked with Sandro. Not only was
Sara outgrowing the size of her Convaid Cruiser but she was also outgrowing the
stroller style design of the chair. And while she needed a new chair due to growth
she was also eager to explore the choices of more traditional style wheelchairs.
Originally thinking we would not be able to get away from the stroller look with a
Convaid, we asked Sandro to bring in some other wheelchairs for Sara to try out.
When things did work quite as we expected we decided that rather than try and
reinvent the wheel there must be an option that will work from Convaid.
Indeed there was and Sandro was patient, supportive and instrumental in
helping Sara, recalling:
“At first Sara wanted to pursue a lightweight manual folding chair with
some modifications including a high back, canopy and other basic
accessories. The chair fit seemed good, and at first Sara seemed to like it
and was ready to start using it, but the canopy attachment, which was
custom made, was not working well at all. It did not cover her body to
protect her from the sun rays, and was very difficult to attach and detach.
Additionally the back height needed was difficult to achieve without a
custom back and headrest that was more intricate than Sara needed. She
had the chair for a very short period of time when the family contacted
me to see what could be done. After trying some different options we
decided to go with the Convaid EZ Rider and it seems that was the best
decision because it is working for the customer and family. The other
manufacturer was able to take back the chair for credit and we had to
resubmit to insurance to notify them of the changes made. It was a long
process but well worth it in the end.”
People say that it takes a village, but sometimes it just takes a couple of dedicated
people, like Carrie and Sandro, who sincerely enjoy helping others and help make
the journey down life’s sometimes rough road a little less bumpy. Especially with
the terrific products available from Convaid.
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CONVAID PRODUCT TYPES
Providesupright postureto enhancefunctionalpositioning
Accommodatesfunctional orrest positionsand increasedsittingtolerance formaximumcomfort.
30% fixed tiltangle improvespostural control throughupper bodypositioning
Helps stabilizesitting posture,maintainmidline trunkpositioning forposturalcontrol,provides addedsupport forupper bodyand allows forgrowth
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Convaid enriches the lives of special needs families by providing
best-in-class, easy-to-use, convenient and attractive mobility products for all
stages of a young person’s life — from infancy to young adulthood.
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By Alexis Snyder |Sara, age 12, is along timeConvaid user. Shehas a metabolicdisorder thatcauses lowmuscle tone andfatigue, andalthough she canwalk she tiresquickly. HerConvaid EZ Riderhelps her to getaround for longerdistances and toconserve energy.Her disorder alsocauses problemswith toleratingheat, and thanksConvaid’s easilyattachable suncanopy she canstay out of thesun.https://convaidblog.wordpress.com/…/exceptional-people-and-…
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