Most consumers are not sure what Medtrade is, although our providers who sell or repair our equipment or wheelchairs are well of aware of the importance of this industry event! Manufacturers of durable medical equipment and home healthcare mobility professionals come together to see and experience the newest technologies in the industry. Each year, hundreds of providers attend Medtrade. There are two events, one on the east coast and one on the west coast.
Medtrade partners with AAHomecare, or the American Association for Homecare, and holds workshops to help professionals in the homecare industry. AAHomecare also provides updates on legislative initiatives related to homecare. One of the initiatives has been the “Stand Up for Homecare Campaign,” which offers information about the home medical equipment industry and how it helps people stay independent through equipment such as manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs or other specialty equipment that meets a person’s disability needs. This campaign reaches provider professionals, homecare advocates and policymakers. From there, the policymakers can learn of the importance of home healthcare, take this knowledge to capitol hill and educate lawmakers.
I was asked to attend a workshop and an AA Homecare panel regarding advocacy in the industry and how to get consumer advocates involved to protect CRT. At the workshop, I helped industry leaders, including Lisa Wells from Cure Medical, and Mickae Lee from NCART, present key information on advocacy for providers to use.
For me, Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas was a great event! I caught up with some of my favorite people from across the country. It was such an amazing time working and advocating alongside these providers, who dedicate their lives gaining knowledge of equipment and technology to help their clients. We have to work together on these issues so that our manufacturers and providers can find the best technology that fits the needs of consumers with disabilities, so they can live their best lives.
About Madonna Long: Madonna works as a disability advocate to educate policymakers and congressional leaders on disability issues. She is a mother to four children and lives life on her terms, despite a spinal cord injury. Click here to learn more about Madonna.