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It’s a clear winter morning in southern Saskatchewan, Canada, and the temperature is minus 16 C. The sun is bright, but it doesn’t bring much warmth. Rainer Olson drives a packed service van along a long stretch of highway.

“When you’ve got a big van full of equipment, you’re just driving a big kite down the highway,” said Olson, the Registered Rehabilitation Technology Supplier for PrairieHeart Mobility.

The open road between clients sets the pace for Rainer’s day. At 23, Olson works for the family business his grandfather founded, and his father now leads. With locations in Moose Jaw, Regina, and Saskatoon, PrairieHeart Mobility serves communities across Saskatchewan and parts of Alberta and Manitoba. “I primarily work out of the Moose Jaw location, covering a rural area,” Olson said.

Given the vast territory he covers, long drives are just part of the job, making careful planning a must. Rainer got an early start in the business. The day he got his driver’s license at 16, his father, Aaron Olson, sent him straight out on a delivery.

Growing up around the business gave Olson a unique view. By then, his grandfather, Dan Olson, had already built strong relationships across the region. Some longtime clients even called him “Uncle Dan.” Now, when Olson mentions his last name, people often recognize it. “They’ll say, ‘You’re Dan Olson’s grandson?’ They always seem pleased to make the connection,” he said.

One of Olson’s first installations, which he completed with his grandfather, changed everything for him. “We installed a vertical platform lift for a woman who was struggling to access her home. When the installation was complete, she was so happy with the way it changed her life that she cried,” Olson said. “Right then, I knew this work is what I wanted to keep doing for the rest of my life.”

His path to this career wasn’t just about following in his family’s footsteps. Olson first went to the University of Regina in Saskatchewan to study medicine, but after two semesters of biology, he switched to accounting. Three semesters later, he realized something important.

“Accounting felt like the same task again and again with different numbers.”

 Olson finished his accounting degree but decided to focus on mobility instead. “With this work, it’s always different. My favorite part is when an occupational therapist brings a complex situation and asks for my help,” he said. “It’s a rewarding way to think critically. No two people are the same. I’m always exploring options to find what works best for each individual.”

PrairieHeart Mobility does more than just Complex Rehab Technology. Much of their work is with durable medical equipment, and some staff focus on advanced seating and mobility.

“We offer a wide range of services,” Olson said. “When something life-changing happens, clients don’t need multiple resources. They can come to us, and we’ll take care of everything.” That kind of consistency is important, especially since patients often have to explain their situation and needs multiple times. By working with one provider, PrairieHeart clients can build long-term relationships with the people who support their mobility needs.

“Our clients see a familiar face who understands them. They know they can depend on us.”

Olson began his career in service before moving into sales and complex rehab. He often stays involved with equipment for its entire lifespan, delivering, adjusting and repairing as needed.

“It’s one thing to sell somebody a $20,000 wheelchair,” he said. “But if something breaks and they’re stuck without it for six weeks, how helpful is it really? We pride ourselves on fast responses.”

Service calls can be challenging. When important equipment stops working, people get frustrated quickly.

“I can certainly understand how a client feels,” Olson said. “They depend on this equipment to operate in their life. It’s the worst thing in the world when it doesn’t work.”

If someone gets upset or raises their voice, Olson tries to focus on how he can improve the task at hand. “It can be tough not to feel defensive, but I try to understand the client’s situation and do my best to fix it.”

Luckily, these situations don’t happen often, and sometimes, clients who were upset later call back to apologize.

Outside of work, Olson enjoys a more relaxed pace. He and his fiancée often host board game nights, playing games like Settlers of Catan, Seven Wonders, Dominion or Axis & Allies. They also get together with friends for long Dungeons & Dragons sessions.

“We play at least one board game a night,” he said. “It’s a good way to be around a table and actually interact with others.”

Olson also volunteers regularly. He has taken part in wheelchair relays to support spinal injury programs and recently joined a ski fundraiser at Mission Ridge for the SaskTel Classic Challenge Cup, https://saskalpine.com/event/286/ where adaptive skiers of all abilities hit the slopes.

“Our challenge skier this year was blind,” he says. “It was amazing to see her go down the hill.”

These experiences outside of work are a reminder to Olson that the right support can turn obstacles into momentum.

The CRT industry often expresses concern about its future workforce. Experienced clinicians and technicians retire. Younger professionals sometimes overlook the field entirely, unaware that it exists as a fulfilling career path. Olson champions this industry.

“There are a lot of opportunities here for people who want to make a difference,” he said. “This isn’t just about equipment. It’s about helping someone move through their life more easily.”

Away from work, Decker’s focus shifts to home and the delight and challenge of raising a toddler. She and her husband, Dominic Decker, a union pipe fitter with St. Paul Local 455, have a 2-year-old son, Miles Decker. Time together often centers on travel, outdoor adventures, hockey and most recently, Decker has taken up sourdough baking. Regular trips to visit family in Florida and Montana provide time to slow down and reconnect.

“For me, the work is not about preserving a legacy unchanged. It is about honoring its purpose by allowing it to evolve.” When Decker considers what Handi Medical Supply needs to remain thriving for the next generation, the answer is both familiar and forward-looking: listen closely, stay curious, strengthen partnerships and choose, again and again, to enrich lives.

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Rainer may be reached at rainer@phmobility.com.

Rainer Olson, BBA, RRTS®, is a rehabilitation technology specialist providing seating, mobility, and accessibility solutions with Prairie Heart Mobility. He is a third-generation team member with the company founded by his grandfather. Prairie Heart Mobility has three locations in Saskatchewan, Canada.

 

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