iNRRTS flips switch in Europe 

DUBLIN – Complex rehab stakeholders Weesie Walker, Mike Osborn and Kathy Fisher presented at the European Seating Symposium in Dublin in June to spread the word about iNRRTS and the importance of professional standards. 

It’s the latest step in iNRRT’s mission to expand its base of registrants beyond North America and builds on the inroads it has already made in Canada, where it now has 232 registrants, and more recently, Australia, where it now has 32 registrants. 

“We definitely see a need for (iNRRTS and professional standards) everywhere,” said Walker, former executive director of iNRRTS, “and when we were there and talking about iNRRTS, you could see the light bulb go off. It’s not a hard sell for quality providers.” 

It’s the first time iNRRTS has had a presence at ESS, which takes place every other year. 

The trio presented an interactive session where they not only introduced iNRRTS but also asked attendees to share challenges providing seating and mobility in their countries. While delivery and funding models may differ from country to country, the discussion validated Fisher’s belief that “we all have the same issues.” 

“The issues have no borders,” said Fisher, clinical education specialist for Motion Concepts and education manager for iNRRTS. “Once we determined that, the discussion became more about, what opportunities are there to recreate iNRRTS in those countries.” 

iNRRTS’s success in Canada and Australia had a lot to do with having two champions in those countries – Jason Kelln and Lois Brown, respectively – and the trio believes that the exposure the organization received at ESS will help it find champions in other countries, as well. 

“There was great engagement from the audience, especially from two people from Holland and Switzerland,” said Osborn, an ATP/CRTS at Alliance Rehab and Medical Equipment and past president of iNRRTS. “Once they realized we had a template in place and that that we were there to help them, they started thinking about the positive impact it could have for their company in their market. The gentleman from Switzerland said, ‘You need to come to Switzerland.’” 

The trio went to ESS armed with copies of iNRRTS’s magazine Directions and the book Complex, which features stories and photos that demonstrate the importance of complex rehab, as leave-behinds to, hopefully, continue to generate interest. 

“How do we keep the momentum going – that’s the next step,” Fisher said.