| I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new editor of the US Rehab. Resource site. My name is Sheila Buck, and over the next year I would like to provide you with educational tools and areas of interest in order to allow you to expand and grow your business by enhancing your knowledge base.
My goal is to provide you with up to date theories and practices in the area of Assistive Technology. More importantly, though, this knowledge must be of value to you and your business. Therefore, I would also like to ask you for input as to what you would like to see on the site, again that would enhance your business.
I’m sure you must be thinking, what background does she have that will provide us with the type of information we are looking for. I am an Occupational Therapist and have been working in the seating and mobility field for over 15 years. I initially started out as a therapist in a local community hospital completing assistive technology prescriptions with the closest dealer being 1.5 hours away. I then moved in to community practice where I needed to coordinate equipment for clients returning home from hospital. One thing led to another and soon I was asked to initiate the start up of a long-term care program at a large hospital. Part of that start up was to establish a seating clinic. Soon I was as involved in the set up of wheelchairs as the local dealer and when the timing was right, I was offered a job to hop the fence and become a dealer rep.
Working as a Rehab Technology Supplier rep for close to ten years provided me with the opportunity to develop business and marketing skills, as well as to acknowledge the lack of educational opportunities within this field. As a result, five years ago, I opened my own consulting business and have not looked back. I currently provide assistive technology assessments, prescription and set up in several venues including private customers, long term care settings, workers compensation, vocational rehabilitation and motor vehicle insurance companies. I have also developed an educational workshop series titled Back to Basics and Beyond, (now in it’s fourth year) which provides education on the utilization and prescription of assistive technology.
One of the most important things that I have learned over my time working in this industry is that technology continues to advance, and as a result, my learning is never finished. I therefore would like to take this opportunity to pass on to you those things that I find new and exciting, or to learn from past mistakes and share such with you.
I look forward to sharing with you,
Sheila
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