For the first time since 2020, I am flying over Vancouver. The last time I was in Vancouver was a week before COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020 International Seating Symposium. I’m now flying into Victoria to see a friend.
I thought back to the time in Vancouver, the last ISS. Let’s hope there will be a movement to bring it back there as well. I also remembered it because I had lunch with some legends, including Gerry Dickerson, Weesie Walker, Steve Cranna and Mike Longo. We met to discuss NRRTS coming into Canada.
As we touch down, and I’m looking at the simple beauty of this island. I’m also struck by the people in the plane. Everyone has very essential items and what they need to get through a two-hour flight. It is a little like Complex Rehabilitation Technology. The CRT people need is important and vital for them to make it through the day.
They are many neat things happening is the world of iNRRTS and CRT. Seat elevation and the bill to upgrade materials in manual wheelchairs to name a few.
iNRRTS was recently at the ISS in Pittsburgh. Great education offered and a great time to meet Registrants. iNRRTS also hosted a reception and bestowed awards to recipients. It was a great evening.
Education events are fantastic events that allow us to meet and interact with people in the CRT industry. I remember tapping Jean Mikel on the shoulder at ISS and asking if she would you come to Saskatchewan and speak for me.
I recently was contacted by someone who was taking the first section of the CRT Supplier Certificate Program. When he asked me about the textbook, I remember saying some absolute legends wrote it. I’ve even brought some of these legends to Saskatchewan to speak.
He went on to say the first course was pretty easy.
About an hour later, he said wow the second course is good, and he was learning a lot.
This is a tribute to this amazing program. If you have not looked at it, I encourage you to, as we can always learn something.
I was recently in a meeting with someone not in our business but asking us about our company. I commented about putting a client in a headrest the week before, who used 30-year-old jet fighter technology to work.
They were amazed. I was then asked by another person, “Why is that technology still used?” I explained that we tried using something new and cutting-edge with the client, but at the end of the day, the 30-year-old jet technology worked better. Our duty is to explain what is available and do the right thing for our clients. This is a win-win for everyone.
It is a blessing to do this job. Education and continually trying to learn more is the great part of what we do.
I’m going to go back to my flying playlist as we are about to land.
It’s a list I have had for a while. Every once and while my kids or wife add a song, so I am a bit more up-to-date.
Now on to…Jimmy Buffett on the playlist.
Jason may be reached at Jason@phmobility.com.
Jason Kelln, ATP, CRTS® is president of iNRRTS and became the first Canadian iNRRTS Registrant in 2018. Kelln is the recipient of the Simon Margolis fellow award. Kelln serves on the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America’s Professional Standards Board and has been an owner of PrairieHeart Mobility since 2022.