24 Hour Postural Care Over the Lifespan (Brisbane)

We devote considerable effort to ensuring our clients receive optimal postural support while in their wheelchairs, yet often overlook the extensive time they spend outside of them. Join us to explore the numerous advantages of comprehensive postural support throughout the entire day, encompassing time in and out of the wheelchair. This promises to be an engaging day packed with hands-on learning opportunities and direct interaction with the equipment.

Throughout the day, we'll aim to:

• Gain confidence in evaluating paediatric and adult clients for seating and mobility assistive technology.
• Appreciate the significance of supportive positioning in wheelchair seating, as well as in alternative seated surfaces, lying positions, and standing.
• Create a process of selecting wheelchairs and alternative seating to optimise function.
• Familiarise ourselves with research findings on the benefits of 24-hour positioning.
• Understand how postural support systems can enhance function and engagement.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner seeking to refine your skills or a prescribing therapist eager to expand your expertise, this event promises a useful exploration of 24-hour postural care.  

Meet the Presenters: Kate Pain (GTK) and Amy Bjornson (Clinical Education Manager, Sunrise Medical)

Kate comes from an occupational therapy background, with two decades of experience in varied settings, specialising in wheelchair seating and positioning. She finds the evolution of power wheelchair alternate drive technology fascinating, and looks forward to exciting innovations becoming more readily available in power wheelchairs.

Kate really enjoys appointments with children who are trying out a wheelchair for the first time. She loves seeing the excitement in their eyes as they move independently for the first time – it’s contagious!

Kate also enjoys working with adults trialling a wheelchair for the first time, who have a lifetime of limiting perceptions about using a wheelchair, who then realise that the right equipment can amplify their abilities and enjoyment of life.

Trained as a Physical Therapist in the United States, Amy has over 20 years’ experience working with the adult and paediatric neurologic populations, with specialties in the treatment of spinal cord injury, and evaluation and provision of assistive technology for clients with physical challenges. She was the director of the Seating and Mobility Clinic in Boston, MA USA and provided consultation services to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Based in Sydney, Amy currently develops and implements national and international training programs on using Assistive Technology to enhance inclusion, health, and well-being in those with physical disabilities. She also serves a product improvement and development role for Sunrise Medical, Australia.

Amy is a dynamic speaker who has lectured extensively on seating and mobility. She has also traveled to several developing countries, learning and sharing information with their medical communities. Amy received her ATP certification in 1995, SMS certification in 2015 and Australian Physiotherapy certification in 2018. She is an active member of Wheelchairs for Humanity and Health Volunteers Overseas. Amy focuses on providing sound solutions that create positive results, even in challenging environments. She consistently implements innovative ideas focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities.