Messaging through film: NSM highlights 11-year-old

PHILADELPHIA - How long would you wait for your mobility?

If you're 11-year-old Dylan, not long at all, thanks to National Seating & Mobility (NSM).

A new short film by NSM opens with Dylan's exam and measurements, then cuts to the Quantum Rehab facility where his new wheels are assembled. After a short trip to NSM for customization, the chair heads to Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., where Dylan is ready to get moving.

“A guy like Dylan—11 years old, has a chair he's outgrown or needs a part replaced—how would he feel if it took three or four months to get it?” said Mark McLean, communications director for NSM. “Waits are often too long for legitimate users if they're used to having a life that includes a power chair.”

NSM, which regularly produces videos for training and in-house purposes, wanted to create a compelling, short film for anyone from family members of new complex wheelchairs users, to lawmakers, to anyone who isn't familiar with the company's products and services.

“We wanted to see if we could find a way to start to make mini-movies that could communicate what we do to make people end up happy with a chair and understand the process,” said McLean.

The movie, Dylan's Chair, will be available online for company employees to share.

“The idea was to have a piece that we could immediately email that would be something you could watch on your phone, on your laptop or desktop, that would be quick and easy, and not require long attention in terms of taking you away from your busy day,” said McLean.

NSM hopes to continue producing films.

“We're not going into the movie business, but we do plan to do some more,” McLean said.