Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence

Heck yeah!!! Congratulations Kat!! Enjoy your new freedom and new wheels!

Eeeeek - stay tuned
DRCE is growing and picking up our newest fleet member!!!

So excited to help Riley on his journey to hitting the road!!!
It takes a whole team! Riley is equidistant from Columbus OH and Chantilly VA. He has been to both for training! We will be headed to his home town for final training and testing!!! Stay tuned for more in this story!

Local teen with muscular dystrophy works his way to driver’s license LEBANON, Va. (WJHL) – Riley Wyatt is an 18-year-old from Lebanon, Virginia with muscular dystrophy. The disease causes weakness in the muscles and limits his mobility. From a young age, Riley…

Great Job DRCE OHIO! We are so excited for Nick! It takes a really good team and we are blessed to have the best!!!

Kait Finch

Ecstatic to be at 2023 to represent and ! What an amazing and humbling opportunity!

So necessary! For those people who need specific accommodations and want to be more independent and at ease when attempting to fly, this is a game changer. I’m sure more people will be flying now! Thank you Delta!

‘Unbelievably excited’ - wheelchair users react to new Delta airplane seat design | CNN A new airplane seat concept that allows wheelchair users to stay in their own chair throughout a flight was revealed this week by a subsidiary of US airline Delta, a move welcomed as a “huge step” by potential customers.

Head to Mobility Works in Richmond on July 14th for some great resources!!

Great feedback for a great TEAM

“Almost Heaven”

Took a break from our driver rehab session to take in this view!!

Blessed to be able to provide services to WV!

Jennifer Berry Bachelor

Our newest DRP! Congratulations to Jennifer for earning the ADED Driver Rehabilitation Profesional (DRP) - HEALTHCARE Professional microcredential! The Driver Rehabilitation Professional (DRP) microcredential represents a professional in the field of driver rehabilitation who, through successful completion of specific training courses, is equipped to provide service within basic and low-tech programs as per the Spectrum of Driver Rehabilitation Program Services. The DRP microcredential requires a defined amount of continuing education to ensure continued growth and current knowledge in the field.

May is National Mobility Awareness Month. At DRCE our certified technicians can help find mobility solutions just right for you and our CDRS/OT Practitioner staff can assess and recommend the appropriate equipment to get you safely on the road. One size does not fit all!

Excited to spread awareness today!

Fairfax Parkinson Friends
May 3 from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Amanda Mendez from Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence (DRCE) will join us today to talk about driver assessment and rehabilitation. Amanda is a a licensed and certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and a Driving Rehabilitation Specialist. One of our friends recently had an evaluation done at DRCE and hopefully we’ll learn more about it from him as well.

If you’d like to learn more about the driver rehab process, please check out the DRCE website at https://www.driverrehabcenter.com/.
We also have information about other options in northern Virginia at https://ipmdc.org/driving/.

Home - Driver Rehab Center of Excellence in Chantilly, VA Regain your driving independence with Driver Rehab Center of Excellence in Chantilly, VA.

We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges.

If you or a loved one has ASD and are questioning whether pursuing driving is a viable option, ask about our "Potential to Drive Assessment" and see what the options are.

Occupational therapy is more than a profession—it’s a passion, and it’s about people! We are so thankful to be able to learn and educate about our role as OT's and OTA's and how it relates to driving .

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Every 6 minutes someone will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the U.S. It is possible to continue driving with this disease for a long time. It’s important to be aware of symptoms and progression of disease and discuss topic of driving as early as possible to have a good plan of care and support system established. Come visit us at Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence for a consultation or driving evaluation if you have any concerns or require guidance when it comes to driving with Parkinson’s Disease.

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we let you all know that Smoke passed today.

We will be posting his obituary soon and would love to hear about any of your favorite Smoke stories.

We are requesting donations to Cascade Service Dogs organization who trained Smoke for service or to www.operationward57 for connecting us with Smoke who was looking for a retirement job.

Thank you

April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM)
April is also Occupational Therapy Month

I can't think of a better post to highlight both!

Occupational Therapy is how Joe started and continues to drive with limb loss due injuries sustained in Afghanistan, working with our own Tammy Lynn Phipps while she developed and ran the only driver rehab program in the DoD Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Now Tammy is the CEO and President of Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence - where she continues to support our wounded ill and injured service members and Veterans.

It was an honor to facilitate the introduction of Joe to Wounded Warriors Family Support and we can't be more excited to see Joe picking up his beautiful truck.

Congratulations to U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Joseph Deslauriers of Destin, Florida for his purchase of a new 2023 . The program helps provide these deserving veterans with new vehicles modified for their specific needs. 🇺🇸 💜 https://buff.ly/43nfy5T That is a sharp-looking truck for sure!

Happy OT Month Everyone!
Here’s an example of OTs making it happen!

WWRC OTs to DRCE OTs

We are just so proud to have worked on this project from Driver Rehabilitation Services to building this beauty!!!

Luther has driven all the way to Chicago for work!

Luther Vucic is thrilled with his new Chevy Silverado pickup truck modified with lifts and hand controls. He drives himself to work at James Madison University after receiving driving evaluation services from WWRC Occupational Therapist (OT) Anne Brie. He visited the Center and demonstrated the features on his new truck during OT Month with his DARS' counselor Ashley Miller. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3Ktv5cM.

Great job Kait Finch presenting on driving solutions for people with muscular dystrophy.
Cure CMD

Honoring Vietnam Veteran's today- thank you to those who sacrificed.

Celebrating women who empower women! Thank you Tammy Phipps for empowering us all and allowing us to be a part of the success and growth of this business to help as many people as we can maintain independence at the wheel!

https://news.va.gov/116403/travis-mills-helps-veterans-recalibrate/?utm_source=feature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources&utm_id=01MAR2023

Tammy Lynn Phipps @ Warrior PATHH

I am so proud to know Travis Mills Foundation and had an amazing experience myself!

I would recommend PATHH to all of my combat veterans, EMS and Police community.

—-Tammy

Travis Mills Foundation seeks to help injured Veterans "recalibrate" - VA News The Travis Mills Foundation helps Veterans overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Comprehensive Automotive Mobility Solutions (CAMS) in action in Chantilly, VA!

MS Awareness Week Is March 12–19, 2023. Nationally and globally, there is growing awareness about multiple sclerosis, people living with the disease and the MS movement. There is always more that can be done to spread the word, to share knowledge about research and progress in treatments, and to support those affected by MS. At DRCE we have been able to provide adaptive driving solutions for people with MS. If you have any questions, give us a call and let us help you today!

“About to educate”

DRCEs Amanda Mendez and Tish Keith are geared up to present at Virginias Occupational Therapy Children and Youth Symposium on driving!

We are committed to educate and becoming more educated!

DRCE IS HIRING!!
WE ARE LOOKING FOR TECHNICIAN APPLICANTS
PLEASE HAVE YOUR APPLICANTS REACH OUT TO US. PLEASE SEE COMMENTS

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. Here at DRCE it's our goal to facilitate that driving process for people in all walks of life. We have programs for all types of drivers including those with developmental disabilities!

Please help us congratulate Cpl Larry Draughn on his new truck!! Ohio just got another happy veteran out on the road thanks to the support of our friends at Wounded Warriors Family Support. Please go check out their page for ways to support veterans and their return to independence behind the wheel!!

Congratulations to U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Larry Draughn on his new Dodge Ram 3500 Truck! provided the Draughn family with a grant to help purchase the new vehicle for his family. Learn more about the Mobility is Freedom program here: https://buff.ly/3IUZtMt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFIZXDYF8D8

Susie Touchinski OTR/L, SCDCM,CDRS is an OT who has been committed to driver rehab for over 20 years. Do you want to learn more about driving and become and OTR DRS? Check out her website Adaptive Mobility Services (link in the comments)

We LOVE this short video on:

OT strategies: 3 Rs of driving retirement.

As occupational therapy practitioners, our goal is to focus on independence while balancing safety. There are going to be times in our patients lives where medical conditions and abilities impact engagement & participation in IADLs - including driving. In this video, I talk about three strategies you can use to help transition your patient from the driver seat to the passenger seat.

OT Strategies: The 3 Rs to Support Driving Retirement Listen in as Susie shares her strategy for supportive driving retirement conversations. Remove Access. Replace Needs. Remember Fun. Susie Touchinsky is an oc...

EMC products are out of this world!

*****BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND**** FREE CEUs
DRCE IS HOSTING OUR 2ND ANNUAL CAMS COURSE

Sign up today for the Comprehensive Automotive Mobility Solutions - NMEDA

https://nmeda.org/education/allied-health-professional-education/comprehensive-automotive-mobility-solutions/

We are honored to be featured in this episode of Crazy Good Turns
Podcast.

Marine Josh Himan overcame major injuries he suffered in Iraq, and went on to partner with Tammy Phipps, the Army therapist who helped him learn to drive again.

Together, these veterans are bringing more freedom to people with mobility challenges - like Marc Owens - through Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence.

Listen to this amazing story of paying it forward here: https://crazygoodturns.org/episodes/heroes-2022

Yahoo!!! Just need POTUS to sign.

Over time, the period would shorten to 10 years. More information can be found here:

https://pva.org/news-and-media-center/recent-news/pva-applauds-congress-for-passing-the-veterans-auto-education-improvement-act-urges-president-biden-to-sign/

BREAKING: PVA celebrates Congress passing the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022!

Once signed by the President, this legislation authorizes the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide an additional automobile grant NOW to who received their grant 30 years or more ago and will change the definition of “medical services” to include certain vehicle modifications like van lifts.

Read more on how this legislation will improve disabled ’ mobility, health, and independence: https://pva.org/news-and-media-center/recent-news/pva-applauds-congress-for-passing-the-veterans-auto-education-improvement-act-urges-president-biden-to-sign/.

Happy Holidays!!! DRCE Fredericksburg, VA & coming soon Williamsburg VA