Personal stories to power CRT Awareness Week 

WASHINGTON - Organizers are trying something different this year to build awareness around CRT Awareness Week, scheduled for Aug. 14-18. 

To get the word out, organizers are asking CRT users to submit short videos sharing their personal experiences, detailing the complex rehab technology they use, and explaining the importance of CRT in their lives. 

“We'll choose five videos and each day we’ll highlight one of them during CRT Awareness Week,” said Mickae Lee, associate director of NCART. “Then, with the other videos that are submitted, we’ll create a compilation video that we plan to use in congressional conversations or other advocacy opportunities, so we want to build out that library.” 

Similar to previous years, the event will feature a range of online content, including webinars, educational videos, and messages from individuals within the CRT community. The NCART website, www.ncart.us, will serve as a hub, offering graphics, recommended social media posts, and suggestions on how to get involved and spread the message. 

The event will also serve to key up the Virtual CRT Congressional Fly-in, scheduled for Sept. 13. Last year's virtual event saw a surge in participation from complex rehab users, as well as increased engagement from ATPs and clinicians. 

“I think we will always have some sort of virtual element to this event moving forward, because we've seen just how much it opens it up for people, and so I never want that to not be an option for folks,” said Lee. 

This year's fly-in also brings back a notable feature from the pre-COVID-19 era: a congressional CRT in-service. On Sept. 14th, policy staffers and members of Congress will have the opportunity to interact with various equipment at the Cannon Building.