Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ATP/SMS

Mary Hamell, COTA, ATP works at CareLinc in Grand Rapids, MI and worked for many years at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital before that. Mary contacted me about someone she wanted me to connect with – her name was Jeanie. I’m so glad Jeanie had time to speak with me, and we had a wonderful conversation.

Jeanie is a young adult with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. She lives at home with her parents and has an older brother and sister. And she is BUSY. Jeanie is an Advocate. And I mean Advocate. She is a board member of Self-Advocates of Michigan (SAM) and is on their public policy committee. She has done presentations with the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. Currently, Jeanie is preparing to speak with lawmakers at Voices in Action. She also advocates for inclusive employment and educates families before consumers turn 18 years of age – when a lot can change. In her spare time (which must be very little), she loves to shop at the Mall!

Jeanie drives an Invacare Storm power wheelchair with power tilt and power seat elevate. She also uses a Seating Dynamics Dynamic Rocker Back interface. She has used this Dynamic Back for several years. Before receiving a Baclofen pump, severe spasticity caused her body to compress the seating system upholstery and materials, particularly in her back support. Michigan Medicaid would not cover a replacement back as quickly as Jeanie needed a new one. Instead, a Dynamic Back was recommended which reduced the intensity of her extension – and saved the back support. 

The Baclofen pump also reduced the intensity of her spasticity, however, Jeanie believes she continues to benefit from a Dynamic Back, as she still has increased muscle tone. Jeanie describes her tone, characterized by whole body extensor spasms, as ‘needing to push back’ (extend at her hips). If she can’t move, her tone takes longer to decrease and she experiences pain. Using Dynamic Seating makes it easier to move and push back when she needs. This has reduced her pain as well as the amount of time she extends. She explains that this movement is helpful, but so is the ability to push against the resistance of the Dynamic Back. 

Keep up your advocacy efforts, Jeanie! Our field needs you!