Maddak Inc. and Morph Wheels have announced the results of their “Most Inspirational Client” awards – created as a way for providers of rehab technology and services to recognize wheelchair users “who continually inspire them by overcoming challenges and living life with a positive can-do attitude.”
Susan Tulanowski, Maddak’s marketing manager, said in the news announcement, “We regularly hear about amazing people who have faced enormous challenges in their lives, and every day they go out and live life to its fullest. This contest was a way to honor these people and share their stories as a way to inspire others.”
The contest invited occupational and physical therapists, nurses and assistive technology providers to nominate manual wheelchair clients whose accomplishments impressed them. In a random drawing, Maddak selected one grand winner and four runner-ups.
Courtney Sanchelli, 17 is the Most Inspirational Client grand prize winner. Courtney, who has quadriplegia as the result of a car accident when she was 4 years old, was nominated by Kristina Zusi, LPN, of Loving Care Agency in West Milford, N.J.
In her entry, Zusi said Courtney “inspires me every day. She wakes up, sits in her wheelchair and goes to public school, where she is a senior getting ready to graduate. Courtney doesn’t let her disability get her down. She rolls through the hallways with a smile, saying hello to everyone.”
Courtney will receive a set of folding Morph wheels, which Zusi said would make it easier for Courtney to get in and out of her transportation van, and would make the wheelchair easier to store when it’s not in use. Zusi will be awarded a $100 VISA gift card for nominating Courtney.
Four more runners-up will receive $50 VISA gift cards. Their stories can be read HERE.