NOT E S F ROM T H E F IELD
DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND CALL IT WORK Written by: ROSA WALSTON LATIMER
With a background as a licensed orthotist, Patrick Shaner and his son, Tim Shaner, established Rehab Support Systems (RSS) in Pomona, California, in 1996 and began providing wheelchairs to patients in long-term care facilities throughout the state of California. “Dad and I began building wheelchairs in his garage when we began RSS and handled all facets of the business – evaluations, funding and billing,” Tim Shaner, ATP, RRTS®, said. “Dad left in 2016 for another venture so I purchased his shares and elected Dave Namehas, ATP, RRTS®, as a partner and C-level employee to aide in running and growing the organization. As with any business, we’ve had our challenges, but we’ve also had many successes in a field that I love. COVID-19 had a drastic impact on RSS, resulting in the unemployment of 15 of the
18 employees for only 60 days ... but we all know how that story goes. Today Rehab Support Systems is climbing back up the ladder with eight employees, and we are steadily growing as leaders in the long-term care arena.” Tim’s son, Trevor, joined RSS as a part-time employee, working after school when he was 15 and is now part of the full-time staff of RSS, making it a third-generation family business. “Trevor was born a couple of months before Dad and I started the company so he’s been exposed to this environment his entire life,” Tim said. “When he was in high school, he would come to the office almost every day after school and help wherever he could.”
TIM, AT ANY TIME DID YOU CONSIDER A DIFFERENT CAREER? I originally went through all the required schooling to become a police officer. I had moved to Aspen, Colorado, when I received the letter of acceptance to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in California. I was proceeding with that when my family expressed their concern about my working in what could be a dangerous profession. They didn’t feel comfortable with me pursuing that career. I took their concerns to heart and began to look at other options, attending programs through the University of Chicago to specialize in orthotics/prosthetics. I worked with my dad in that field, and together, we transitioned into providing wheelchairs while employed by HealthSource. The transition to this work was seamless, and I’ve never regretted my decision.
TREVOR, WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THIS WAS THE CAREER YOU WANTED TO PURSUE?
Trevor Shaner, RRTS ®, ISWP, and Tim Shaner, ATP, RRTS ®.
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DIRECTIONS 2023.5
During my sophomore year, I worked part time with my dad, and during my final year of high school, I began to look at my career options seriously. At that time, I was working more in the field with Dad, and I remember vividly when I knew this was the work I wanted to do. We delivered a chair to a lady who had been bed-bound for a couple of months. She was so happy to have a wheelchair and be out of bed; she gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. It only took one sweet lady with a big hug and a kiss for me to realize how much I liked helping others. I knew then this was the work for me. After high school, I worked full time and shadowed my dad and anyone else I
