[Portland, Oregon and Prince of Wales, Alaska, August 17, 2011] — One might think that when you live in Alaska you would accept complex rehabilitation equipment services on different terms. A Prince of Wales, Alaska man who suffers from ALS and his wife recently learned otherwise.
Prince of Wales Island is a 40-minute flight from Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska. The man received a Q6 Edge wheelchair from ATG in March 2011. Prior to that, he had been using a chair from ALSA’s loan closet. He had an Augmentative Communication device from Dynavox but no way to mount it to his chair. When he received his new chair, his disease had progressed to the point that he could no longer access the joystick or control seating functions.
Through phone calls and text messages, ATG Rehab learned from the man’s wife the challenges he was facing to maintain independence. ATG’s equipment specialists assembled the necessary wheelchair components at their Milwaukee, Oregon office and arranged for delivery to the remote island. ATG Rehab ATP Derek Kruse was the right person to make the trek to Prince of Wales Island. Kruse left Portland, Oregon on a 5:30 a.m. Island Air flight on August 5 and arrived in Craig, Alaska around 10:30 a.m. with all the equipment he needed for the client. The agent at Island air shuttled Kruse to the man’s home, where he proceeded to make the necessary adjustments and additions to his wheelchair.
Kruse’s plan was to switch out the chair’s power elevating leg rest, install specialty controls, make adjustments, and mount a bracket for the client’s communication device. Once completed, Kruse educated the client on the new ways to use his chair. The client was ecstatic with how the upgrades and training improved his mobility and his ability to communicate. Eight hours later, satisfied that the client had all the appropriate equipment and the means to use it effectively, Kruse caught the first of three planes he needed to arrive back in Portland around midnight.
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To Kruse (aka Nanook, the Alaskan nickname conferred upon him by his colleagues), the smile of gratitude and appreciation on his client’s face made his day, long that it was, worthwhile. Derek Kruse – you make ATG proud! |
About ATG Rehab
ATG Rehab is one of North America’s leading rehab equipment providers of wheelchairs and mobility equipment with U.S. locations coast to coast. Established in 1999, the ATG Rehab family of companies is privately held with over 41 locations servicing 24 states and is accredited by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation. ATG Rehab is known for customized customer care with a trained, knowledgeable staff that delivers localized focus and outstanding service.
The company’s mobility and seating solutions include power wheelchairs, manual and lightweight wheelchairs, adaptive seating, standing and positioning frames, specialty ambulatory and toileting aids, specialty bathing aides, rental equipment and portable ramps.
ATG Rehab has contracts with over 100 local and national health insurance companies including the largest managed care providers. The company is also a principal participant in a nationwide provider network to ensure access to payers. ATG Rehab and its national network go the extra mile to provide case management, continuing education on seating and mobility, a custom fabrication shop, certified repair technicians, a dedicated network of healthcare providers and reimbursement support and expertise.
For more information visit atgrehab.com or visit ATG Rehab on Facebook.