UNITE4CRT

UNITE4CRT: CHANGES TO REACH MORE PEOPLE

Written by: JENNY SIEGLE AND JEN MENDENHALL

Unite4CRT is changing things up to reach a wider audience and learn more from others who believe Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) is a MUST, not optional. We will now offer our informative discussions in a podcast format that can be listened to at our audience’s convenience. Our mission is to have discussions as we share our lived experiences. Through our discussions we learn, laugh, collaborate and educate each other.

Each issue of DIRECTIONS magazine will include a Unite4CRT conversation regarding a CRT topic. Our hosts Jenny Siegle and Jen Mendenhall will share their lived experiences as well as topics from others. If you have any topics you would like to see in our discussions, please send us an email to UnitefourCRT@gmail.com

EACH ISSUE OF DIRECTIONS MAGAZINE WILL INCLUDE A UNITE4CRT CONVERSATION REGARDING A CRT TOPIC.

Please be sure to read the Unite4CRT article in the next DIRECTIONS magazine as we discuss topics such as utilizing caregivers, traveling with adaptive equipment, employment assistance programs available to people with disabilities, etc.

WHAT IS UNITE4CRT?

UNITE4CRT is a small group with an extra loud voice. We want the community to appreciate CRT is medically necessary and individually configured equipment. It can be manual wheelchairs, power wheelchair systems, adaptive seating systems, alternative positioning systems and other mobility devices that require evaluation, fitting, configuration, adjustment or programming.

We want insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid and the general population to understand our equipment is customized for the individual user and must be funded.

Our equipment is essential for independence and opportunities for a happy, healthy life.

Essential. Vital. Not Optional.

OUR BELIEFS

We believe that Mobility is a Human Right.

We believe Mobility is Independence.

We believe a customized wheelchair seating system is essential.

We believe we can influence policy change with OUR VOICE. OUR STORIES.

Jenny and Jen may be reached at UNITEFOURCRT@GMAIL.COM

Jenny Siegle is a producer for Altitude Sports in Denver, Colorado. After working in this industry for over a decade, she knows that sports fans want to get the headlines, but have it delivered in a unique and entertaining way. Siegle was paralyzed at 9 of months age from transverse myelitis. She is an incomplete C4/C5 quadriplegic and uses an electric wheelchair for her daily mobility. She was the first child in the state of Colorado to get an electric wheelchair when she was just 2 years old. She was originally paralyzed from the neck down but has regained partial use of her upper body after many years of physical and occupational therapy. Siegle currently drives and lives independently in her own home.

Jen Mendenhall is mom to a determined and sassy 17-year-old daughter, Codi. Codi has cerebral palsy and uses many forms of assistive technology and Complex Rehab Technology. Mendenhall is a disability advocate and public speaker. Codi and Jen were presenters for TEDx Grand Junction in March 2020. Their talk, “Codi’s Life: From Coding to Communication Technology,” was selected to be on TED.com. Both are current members of the Colorado Assistive Technology Coalition. Mendenhall advocates for families and students with disabilities to assist in navigating the world of assistive technology, transition services and Real Work for Real Pay employment for real pay. She has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Public Administration from the University of Alaska.