Erna Albertz

Marketing

Erna AlbertzYou'll mostly find me behind the scenes doing nuts and bolts stuff to improve our site and web presence so you can (hopefully) find what you’re looking for when you need it. I moved back to the US four years ago after spending the better part of my working life so far in everything from groundwork for an NGO in the Balkans and German organic farming to a stint as Rifton’s customer service rep in the UK.

The best part of my job is reading all the stories that come in from people like you whose lives have in some way been touched by our equipment. I have a small insight into the joys—and challenges—in the lives of people with disabilities and their loved ones through my youngest sister, who has Down syndrome. She has always been a tremendous inspiration to me in her attitude to life and her way of connecting with everyone she meets.

News World Cerebral Palsy Day: Ideas For Change October 01, 2014 by Erna Albertz
A girl with cerebral palsy smiles while her caregiver lifts her arms into the air.
Because today is World Cerebral Palsy (CP) Day I want to call your attention to an initiative led by a group of charities aimed at changing the world for people living with CP and their families. With about 17 million people across the world living with CP and 350 million people closely connected to them, the potential impact is great. World Cerebral Palsy Day asks for submissions of ideas in the form of a...
Tips & Advice Rifton’s HTS and Blue Wave Toileting System: A Comparison May 13, 2014 by Erna Albertz
The new Rifton Hygiene Toileting System showing features and accessories that the old system lacked
Some of our customers who are familiar with our old Blue Wave toileting system have asked how our new Rifton HTS (Hygiene and Toileting System) compares. Here’s what our staff therapists say: Comparing Mounting and Positioning Features The Rifton HTS can be placed farther back on the toilet than the Blue Wave. If the Rifton HTS is mounted on a wheeled base, the base can be positioned farther back...
Stories Down Syndrome in Ancient Art October 22, 2013 by Erna Albertz
A detail of the painting "The Adoration of the Christ Child."
Image copyright ©The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Image source: Art Resource, NY In preparing for a presentation on disability history I gave two weeks ago to Ministry of Health and Social Service officials in Russia, I stumbled across the research of John M. Starbuck, who examined the depiction of people with Down syndrome in ancient and medieval art. His entire paper is worth looking at but one item...
News World Down Syndrome Day March 19, 2013 by Erna Albertz
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March 21st 2012 was the first celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. Only recently marked on the calendar by the General Assembly of the United Nations, this day is designated for raising public awareness for Down syndrome. The actual date (3/21) was not pulled out of mid-air, but has significance. It represents the triplication of the 21st chromosome which characterizes the condition. There are some...
News Cheerleaders and Football Players Shine January 02, 2013 by Erna Albertz
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Attending high school in the mid ‘90s, I noticed that students with obvious physical and mental disabilities—while integrated into our classrooms—were politely but firmly shut out of school social life. For any of them to have been voted “Most Lovable” or “Most Popular,” much less homecoming king or queen, would have been almost unthinkable, although they often...
Stories Now that's NEAT! November 13, 2012 by Erna Albertz
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Beyond Used Disability Equipment Having lived in England for six of the past 10 years, I became familiar with Children’s Centers, “one-stop shops” for young children and their families offering services from daycare and parenting classes to therapy and medical counseling all under the same roof. So it was a pleasant surprise to discover the NEAT (New England Assistive Technology) Center...
News More Than You Give August 14, 2012 by Erna Albertz
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Have you heard of Disability Scoop? Chances are you have, but in case not – or if you missed the beautiful video and story of Tony Tumminello posted there – take a moment to check it out. Maybe Tony’s story caught my attention because, as co-guardian of my 29-year-old younger sister with Down syndrome, I will fall for just about any story on adults with disabilities. Especially one that...
Stories Running for Scott April 17, 2012 by Erna Albertz
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Contributed by Jennifer Burke, caregiver A few years ago I was looking around for a part-time job when I heard that the parents of one of my students were looking for help for their 9-year-old son. They were offering $10 an hour. I took it. I had no idea my life would change forever. Before I first met Scott I was told he used to be a “normal” kid. But the boy I met was anything but. He was in...
Stories Kenyatta Jackson: A Gait Trainer Success Story October 04, 2011 by Erna Albertz
Three year old girl is learning how to walk with a Rifton gait trainer in a classroom setting
On a gray, rainy Wednesday last week my day was brightened by the heartwarming story of a beautiful little girl named Kenyatta Jackson who is making great strides at her elementary school. I must have oohed and aahed as I watched a clip of Kenyatta taking her first steps in her Pacer gait trainer, because soon the whole office was clustered around me, just as thrilled as I was. I’d like to share it...
Stories Sean Carter Walks Again Video Part 1 March 03, 2011 by Erna Albertz
Sean Carter, a former model who suffered a TBI, learns to walk again using the XL Rifton Pacer gait trainer
Sean Carter’s plans didn’t include traumatic brain injury. A DWI truck accident, in which Sean was a passenger, changed all that. Besides the multiple fractures and internal injuries, Sean suffered a traumatic brain injury, completely losing the ability to walk, talk or control anything but his index finger. But Sean Carter doesn’t believe in giving up. His long road back—through...
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