On his Fox Business channel program, “Stossel Show” on December 16, John Stossel highlighted the many differences between power wheelchairs and scooters, and discussed Medicare funding for these two technologies. The segment seemed to praise scooters, and featured the marketing manager of scooter manufacturer Amigo Mobility, Jennifer Thieme Kehres, and longtime Amigo scooter user Jean Csaposs.
The National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) is asking Stossel and America to take a look at the other side of the story. Contracting polio as a child left dedicated scooter user Csaposs with her mobility restricted, but still able to use her upper body. Many of the individuals that NRRTS registrants supply with power wheelchairs lack the upper body strength needed for scooter use. These individuals use power wheelchairs for diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease and many other disorders.
Not only did Stossel feature only the scooter industry on his segment, but he welcomed a guest with a vested interest as his ‘industry expert.’ Kehres’ father started Amigo Mobility four decades ago when he made one of the first scooters for a family member with multiple sclerosis.
“Stossel and his guest talked about power wheelchairs and scooters as if they are basically the same product, but that one costs more”, says Lauren Rosen, a physical therapist. “I can assure you that they are not equivalent technologies.”
Rosen is a seating and mobility specialist, and the head of the wheeled mobility and seating special interest group of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Rosen also says that the improper provision of a scooter versus a power wheelchair has resulted in significant harm or injury to many individuals.
NRRTS claims that Stossel’s guests shared misleading statements in the segment to make scooters seem like a better choice than power wheelchairs. On the show, Csaposs stated that scooters had more mobility and a smaller turning radius than a power wheelchair, making them a better choice for most people. Rachel Spiers, a registered occupational therapist and an assistive technology professional, stated this simply isn’t true.
“Power wheelchairs have a significantly smaller turning radius, which makes maneuvering through most homes significantly easier”, said Spiers. “In the community, a power wheelchair allows for the use of public transportation and the smaller elevator cars often seen in larger urban centers, such as New York City.”
“Kehres also stated that most power wheelchair or scooter selections are driven by ‘what’s the biggest profit margin.’ This is not only erroneous, but borders on slander,” continues Spiers. “As a clinician specializing in seating and wheeled mobility, my livelihood is not based on what device I prescribe. To suggest that my clinical decisions are driven by anything other than the medical and functional needs of a consumer or patient is completely false and offensive.”
NRRTS executive director Simon Margolis claims that many of the statements made by Kehres were inaccurate, especially when it came to the prices of the scooters Amigo offers. Kehres stated that $1,000 was the price point for scooters, but when Margolis accessed Amigo’s website, he found scooters in the range of $1,394 to $3,124. Kehres also did not mention that the seat elevator mechanism demonstrated by Csaposs costs an additional $495, and is not covered by Medicare.
“NRRTS registrants support the use of, and supply both power wheelchairs and scooters when appropriate,” Margolis states. “Our partners work with manufacturers of both product types to assure that individuals receive the technology they need to meet their physical and functional needs.”
Margolis, along with all NRRTS registrants and clinicians, as well as on behalf of the people with disabilities they serve, are asking Stossel to reconsider the statements made on his show. They hope that Stossel will take the time to learn the facts about the complex rehabilitation technology industry and profession as well as the tens of thousands of individuals who use these technologies to maintain their independence and quality of life.
View the segment on the Stossel Show: http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/stossel/index.html#/v/1330681108001/power-chairs-vs-scooters/?playlist_id=87530
About NRRTS: The National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) is a professional association supporting individuals who provide complex rehab technology wheelchairs and seated positioning systems for people of all ages and diagnoses who have postural or mobility deficits. These professionals offer quality care and service using specialized knowledge, training, experience and skills to match the consumers’ needs to appropriate equipment. NRRTS is a professional association of committed, skilled, experienced individuals who provide complex rehab technology and services to people with significant postural or mobility deficits. This technology includes wheelchairs and seating systems along with other enabling technology.
MEDIA CONTACT
Simon Margolis
Executive Director
National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS)
(763) 494-6774
www.nrrts.org
SOURCE: National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS)
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this is just another case of some people using there own soap box to get their views across and it hurts the rest of us who really try to do the right thing.
I am extremely disappointed in the one sided reporting from John Stossel. I have always respected his reporting, it has to be the influence of the Fox factor. I do want to thank Jean for her support of the seat elevator function, which is not funded by Medicare and private insurances, but is obviously an important part of her daily life. Jennifer, shame on you for such a narrow view of the disabled community. John, please return to your roots and provide a story with accurate facts from all sides which includes CMS, the complex rehab product and provider industries, the consumer power product industry and the consumer who uses these products, both consumer products and complex rehab products and providers.
A temporarelly abled body person, John, should NOT do a show on disabled bodies unless he is FULLY informed. John, you have done a grave injustice to the disabled community, is it not enough that we have to fight our government to get this population what they NEED to be independent. John, before you decide to do a show like this again, please spend 1 day in a wheelchair using ONLY the movement of 2 fingers to get yourself around your environment.