ATP Series
Happy Anniversary to Us!
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Mobility Management published its first issue in the
spring of 2002. That simultaneously feels like a very
long time ago and just a few years back.
While launching any business, publications
included, is difficult, MM’s birth came
during a particularly uncertain time. The
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks had happened
just six months earlier. I was working on
a motorcycle industry magazine named
Dealernews at the time; the following
month, my employer, which owned a large
number of hospitality magazines and events
hard hit after the attacks, laid me off.
That’s why I answered an ad for a start-up
publication at a small, family-owned media
company in Los Angeles.
MM’s year of birth was also the year that
Pres. George W. Bush created the Department
of Homeland Security. It was the year that
the criminal investigation of Enron began. A
Beautiful Mind won the Best Picture Oscar; our
local Anaheim Angels won the World Series
(and alas, haven’t won another title since).
Much has changed since 2002… MM
didn’t even have a Web site when we launched!
But much has stayed the same, including our commitment to the Complex
Rehab Technology, mobility, and accessibility industries, and our deep admiration for
the professionals who work tirelessly to support those with disabilities. Thank you
for making this 20th anniversary possible. And for celebrating with us and with these
colleagues who shared their own anniversary messages.
— Laurie Watanabe, Executive Editor
Amylior is celebrating 25 years of
improving customer mobility and quality
of life! We are very grateful for the dedicated
contribution of our employees and
the trust-based relationships we continue
to cultivate with our clients, providers,
clinicians, suppliers, and the communities
we serve.
“It’s our employees’ creativity and
dedication to work that have made
Amylior what it is today,” said Eric Dugas,
President of Amylior. “We all share the
same respect and compassion for our
customers, who continue to inspire us and
are the reason for our success.”
It all started with four colleagues in
the family garage who worked together
on building power tilt modules in an era
when tilt was a scarce custom option.
Later, Amylior (aka, Amysystems) became
renowned for complete power seating
solutions and Complex Rehab expertise.
As the market evolved, Amylior adapted
to the realities of the changing industry
and began manufacturing its own power
wheelchair bases. From these humble
beginnings, Amylior has grown to be the
successful international power wheelchair
manufacturer it is today. It now employs
over 100 people.
National Seating & Mobility is proud to
celebrate 30 years in the Complex Rehab
Technology industry this year. Over the
years, we’ve been honored to serve more
than 2.5 million clients, helping keep
our clients moving through life. It is our
privilege to play a role in furthering the
independence of those who entrust us
with their mobility needs, from customizing
wheelchairs to installing chair
lifts and servicing equipment. We look
forward to providing mobility solutions
for many more clients in the years ahead,
continuing to advance the industry to
exceed the needs and expectations of
those we serve.
NRRTS wants to thank MM for their
commitment to support the CRT industry.
As NRRTS celebrates 30 years and
MM 20 years, we realize how young our
industry is.
We can’t wait to see what the future
holds in terms of technology advances and
the new generation of Rehab Technology
Suppliers. Thanks for going down that
path with NRRTS.
— Weesie Walker, ATP/SMS
BraunAbility celebrates a major milestone
this year: 50 years of engineering
independence. What started as Ralph
Braun tinkering in his family’s garage with
his father and uncles has evolved into
the global leader in mobility solutions,
impacting millions of individuals with
mobility challenges around the world.
When we look back on the past 50 years,
it’s incredibly rewarding to see what we’ve
accomplished together. Thank you to the
mobility and healthcare professionals
who have joined us along this remarkable
journey.
Who Else Is Celebrating in 2022?
Some other big anniversaries this year have a personal connection
to Mobility Management… or at least it feels that way.
I saw the Lincoln Memorial for the
first time while in Washington, D.C.,
to lobby for access to Complex Rehab
Technology and durable medical
equipment. The Lincoln Memorial
turns 100 this year.
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.,
also celebrates its centennial in
2022. Having grown up in Southern
California with cousins who live near
Pasadena, I spent my childhood
watching UCLA football games there,
and memorably watched the Army
Cadets and Navy Midshipmen march in for the 1983 Army-Navy
game. MM Sales Manager Randy Easton says visiting the Rose
Bowl is on his bucket list.
My first trip to Canada came
thanks to MM, when I went to
cover the International Seating
Symposium in Vancouver
(pictured). Anecdotally, I believe
that the Westin Bayshore in
Vancouver, B.C., is probably the favorite event destination for
Complex Rehab. More officially, Canada celebrates its 155th
birthday this year.
Within our industry, it’s the 45th anniversary of “Section 504,”
which requires school districts to provide a “free and appropriate
public education” to students with disabilities, according to the
U.S. Department of Education.
And Permobil is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year…
while the Permobil Foundation, the
manufacturer’s philanthropic arm, is
celebrating birthday number 5.
Finally, in appreciation for getting
us through late-night press dates
and for quieting those hunger pangs
that creep up in the second hour of a
five-hour flight, we celebrate the 110th
birthday of the OREO cookie, in all its
many delicious forms.
If we’ve missed any anniversaries, let
me know… and I’ll do an update. In the meantime, congratulations
to everyone celebrating a special birthday in 2022.
This article originally appeared in the issue of .