At the conclusion of this course, the case manager will:

• Understand the therapeutic goals and benefits of a properly fit wheelchair and seating system
• Apply the concepts of medical and functional complications and costs of a poorly fit or inappropriate wheelchair or seating system to patient decisions
• Utilize properly trained personnel for wheelchair/seating evaluations
• Understand various types of manual and power wheelchairs, seating systems and features; when they are indicated and their rational for funding
• Recommend pressure mapping for patient’s that are at risk for skin breakdown

Ginger Walls completed her physical therapy education graduating with an MS from Springfield College in 1989. She is the Regional Director of NRH’s Comprehensive Medical Rehabilitation Center at Irving St and NRH Regional Rehab at Mitchellville. She is also the NRH Regional Rehab Neuro Program Specialist.

She has accumulated a broad background in neurologic physical therapy and seating and mobility. She received her certification as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 1995 and recertified in 2005. She received her certification as an Assistive Technology Practitioner from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America in 2001 and maintains this current certification.

She is the former Chair and Vice Chair of the Spinal Cord Injury Special Interest Group of the Neurology Section of the APTA. She has taught multiple continuing education courses in the area of wheelchair seating and mobility. She has published articles in PT Magazine and Neurology Report, and authored the PT chapter in the text Managing Post-Polio: A Guide to Living and Aging Well with Post-Polio Syndrome . She is currently writing the chapter on “Wheelchair Seating and Mobility” for the newest edition of Neurological Rehabilitation which will be published in 2009.

At the conclusion of this course, the case manager will:

• Understand the historical perspective of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in persons with SCI
• Recognize and understand the new evidence pertaining to CVD risk in persons with SCI and its implications for current practice
• Utilize the new evidence in case management of persons with SCI injury