Page 7 - Mobility Management, February 2019

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NSM Makes First Acquisition in Canada
National Seating & Mobility (NSM) has acquired SelfCare Home Health Products Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C.
The acquisition makes this the first NSM location outside of the United States.
Bill Mixon, NSM’s CEO, said in a January news announcement, “This acquisition supports our mission to reach more individuals in need of mobility solutions. We look forward to collaborating with our Canadian team to learn from each other and create operational synergies that benefit our clients and business processes.”
SelfCare Home Health Products was established by Darryl and Kim Mackie in 1993, and NSM indicated that
the Mackies would “remain with the company in a lead- ership capacity.”
SelfCare provides mobility and home accessibility equipment via four current locations and a total of 60 employees.
A fifth SelfCare location is planned for later this year.
Mixon said of NSM’s first venture outside the United States, “Investing in locations outside the U.S. not only allows us to reach more clients, but also fuels continued progress in the CRT industry, both here in the U.S. and worldwide. We are proud to welcome this company to the growing NSM family.” m
Team Gleason Publishes
PWC Guide for ALS Community
People living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have a new resource about power wheelchairs.
Team Gleason, a non-profit organization, was founded by Steve Gleason and his wife, Michel, after Steve was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. The organization’s new Team Gleason Power Wheelchair Guide can be downloaded free at www.teamgleason.org.
The guide was written by Austin Edenfield, ATP, Technology and Care Manager for Team Gleason.
“At the end of the day, a power chair is a thing,” Edenfield said in the guide. “But it is a thing that can help people living with ALS remain purposeful and productive, helping them perform activities they love, and helping them achieve their dreams.”
The guide covers topics such as drivewheel differ- ences; alternative driving controls; power positioning; seat cushions; funding; and complex rehab providers.
Team Gleason has grant agreements with several CRT power chair manufacturers, including Invacare Corp., Permobil and Quantum Rehab. Families living with ALS can apply for funding assistance by completing an application available from the Team Gleason Web site.
“Team Gleason does not endorse any specific company or product over another in this guide,” Edenfield said in the publication. “There is no universal
‘best’ power
chair for every
person living
with ALS. Rather,
selecting a
power chair is an
individual deci-
sion that should
be made by the
person living with
ALS who will be
the one using
the chair. Rehab
engineers,
occupational
therapists (OT),
physical thera-
pists (PT), and
ATPs (Assistive Technology Professional) provide valuable input and are key members of your team.”
Steve Gleason played football for the New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2008. He, Michel, and their young son, Rivers, were the focus of the 2016 documentary Gleason, which included footage that Steve had origi- nally filmed as a video journal for Rivers. m
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