Clare Stober

Creative Director of Rifton Marketing

Clare StoberTalking about Rifton has been my preoccupation since 2006. Some people call it marketing, but I prefer to think of it as sharing the story of a company that designs and makes the highest quality equipment it possibly can for children, and now also adults, who deserve the best we can offer. Along the way, I’ve met, and talked with, many dedicated health-care professionals who share Rifton’s outlook and who also see their work as a calling to serve these special people.

I hope we can use Rifton’s blog to share some of the inspiring stories we hear almost daily—stories of hope, progress, and innovation by therapists and users of Rifton’s products.

On weekends you’ll find me at a pottery wheel, turning out functional stoneware while listening to audio books. I find this a great way to both unwind and at the same time, learn something new. Got any title suggestions?

Stories Biking, Love and a Brother with Disabilities November 28, 2016 by Clare Stober
Karlie Pickett stands by her bicycle waiting for her brother with cerebral palsy on his special needs tricycle.
I’m not normally one to get excited over a commercial masquerading as a feel-good documentary, but here’s one that might just make you feel a bit better about life. It comes from Schwinn, the bike manufacturer. Stay with me for the beginning and watch for the transition around the 2-minute mark. (Spoiler alert: Rifton makes a cameo!)           ...
News The Kennedys and Disability Rights in America December 11, 2015 by Clare Stober
The book cover for Rosemary The Hidden Kennedy Daughter which gives insight into the disability rights movement in the US
Every now and then along comes a book that changes our understanding of history by shedding new light on familiar themes. For example, we think we know the story of the Kennedy family and its place in U.S. history. And we think we understand how our attitudes to disabilities have evolved over the years in our country. But take a moment and read the following statement carefully, spoken in 2007 by Eunice...
Stories Small World Connection September 23, 2014 by Clare Stober
A young girl on a bike smiles and claps her hands, and example of the special needs connections that exist in our small world
Malcolm Gladwell writes about the six degrees of separation connecting any two people in the world. But in my experience it only takes one special needs child to connect hearts.  Attending a high-tech symposium last week was a new experience for me. My trade show experience has been limited to demonstrating Rifton items at DME shows or conventions attended by therapists. This time I was in the...
PT/OT Rifton’s TRAM Competency Checklists May 27, 2014 by Clare Stober
Two therapists using SPHM technique aid a patient in a Rifton TRAM as they smile at the guide dog assisting them all
Safe Patient Handling and Movement (SPHM) is becoming a byword for safety in nursing and rehab. Healthcare organizations are increasingly recognizing the crucial importance of developing and implementing programs that maintain the well-being of both caregivers and clients. This is because nurses and therapists are repeatedly involved in assisting patients in transfers or ambulation tasks that, because of...
News Coming Soon: A Solution to the Toileting Challenge January 20, 2014 by Clare Stober
The Rifton Hygiene and Toileting System product with features like armrests and tilt-in-space help properly position and transfer children with disabilities.
Toileting has long presented major challenges to people with disabilities—and the people who care for them. In just a few weeks, Rifton will unveil a toileting system that resolves most, if not all, of these challenges. Among other benefits, the new Rifton HTS brings functional positioning on the toilet within reach, even for children with the most severe disabilities. This is key to both...
Tips & Advice New Video Tutorials on Using the Rifton TRAM November 19, 2013 by Clare Stober
A patient uses the Rifton TRAM for sit to stand in the transfer mobility device video
As word of the Rifton TRAM continues to spread among therapists and caregivers we’ve recognized the need for a simple set of step-by-step tutorials to demonstrate the basic functions of this new transfer and mobility device. If you’ve recently acquired a TRAM or if you’re trying to decide whether it’s right for you or someone you’re caring for, take a few moments to watch...
News It’s about People, not Products. November 05, 2013 by Clare Stober
A young girl smiles as she plays "so big" with her therapist
If you’ve visited our website in the last few days you’ve noticed that we have a new look. I could tell you about all the new features and why we made the changes, but it’s so intuitive, I think you’re going to find these out for yourself. I only want to tell you about one idea that guided us during every step of the redesign: Rifton is about people. With our products we support an extraordinary group of people. (You know who you are.) Take a look at the caregivers’ faces in these photos. Look at the care in their eyes. With our new website we wanted to capture these people at their best...
News A Big Win for the TRAM and for Rifton June 25, 2013 by Clare Stober
medicaldesignexcellencegoldawardwinner_feature
The Rifton TRAM, an innovative transfer and mobility device, won gold at the prestigious Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) held in Philadelphia last week on June 19, 2013. Recognized in the Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Products category, the TRAM was praised for its thoughtful design and revolutionary approach to safe patient handling. Many of you who read this blog already know that the...
News Announcing the Low-base Option for the Rifton TRAM April 30, 2013 by Clare Stober
tramlowbase_feature
Since its launch in July 2012, the Rifton TRAM has enjoyed success in schools, hospitals, and institutions in the US and internationally. Its unprecedented ability to facilitate seated transfers, sit-to-stand lifting and supported gait training—without unwieldy slings and harnesses, lift arms, or overhead tracking systems—gained rapid interest. Knowing that good patient outcomes are directly...
News New From Rifton March 12, 2013 by Clare Stober
riftontramquickreferenceguide_feature
TRAM Quick Reference Guide The Rifton TRAM, our latest product offering, is a transfer and mobility device that performs three powerful functions: seated transfer, sit-to-stand lift, and gait training. While it’s remarkably simple to use, we have received some questions from the field that can be answered best with a few photographs. In addition, several customers needed a guide to provide a full...
Load More