People Inc.
How People Inc.'s Adaptive Equipment and Wheelchair Clinic Put Liam in the Game
Jul 07, 2025
Liam Quattrini doesn’t just love baseball, he’s in the game. Thanks to a wheelchair provided with help from People Inc., he is unstoppable as he wheels himself across the field during his modified baseball games, batting and rounding bases with confidence and ease.
Thanks to a wheelchair provided with help from People Inc., Liam can play his favorite sport.
Quattrini, now 10 years old, was born with spina bifida and has used a wheelchair since he was two and a half. His current chair, provided with help through People Inc.’s Adaptive Equipment & Wheelchair Clinic, is custom-fitted to support his growing independence, so he can live life on his terms.
“It’s not just about the wheels. It’s about giving him freedom. That chair lets him go to school, go out with friends, and just be a kid,” said Rebecca Quattrini, Liam’s mom.
How the Clinic Works
Led by occupational therapist Jennifer Ball, OTR/L, the clinic provides evaluations and clinical justification for wheelchairs and adaptive equipment so families can correctly receive the equipment needed to live with independence.
Ball works closely with each person to ensure their needs are truly understood. When a person makes an appointment with the clinic, they will meet with Ball who will determine which types of wheelchairs or adaptive equipment would be best suited for their needs. Then, the equipment will be evaluated for many facets of function, positioning and comfort. Custom molded seating and pressure mapping is also available as part of a wheelchair evaluation.
Liam's mom says his wheelchair helps him live independently.
“A lot of patients prior to coming to the clinic have never had the right equipment because no one has ever done an assessment to show them what’s available or right for them. Our job is to make sure people have access to what they need to live safely and independently in their home and community,” says Ball. “We look at how they move, how their environment functions, and how we can match equipment to help them participate more fully in life.”
What the Clinic Offers
Common adaptive equipment that is evaluated are shower and bath chairs, toileting chairs, car seats, positioning chairs, gait trainers, transfer equipment and therapeutic beds. Evaluations are also offered through the clinic for all types of mobility equipment including adaptive strollers, manual and power wheelchairs along with adjustments to existing wheelchairs.
One big issue that many people and their families face is figuring out how to pay for this equipment. Because of this, Ball works closely to identify funding sources, whether through the person’s insurance, insurance appeals or turning to local foundations for support.
“Many of my patients were self-purchasing equipment for years that they never should have. I'll help the family work through the process where if it's not covered by insurance, help them figure what they need to do next,“ said Ball.
Once the evaluation is complete and funding has been determined, it will be passed along to a local medical equipment supplier, such as People First Mobility, who will order and deliver the equipment.
Building Close Relationships
Attending the clinic is a very individualized and personal experience. Ball has developed close relationships with repeat patients, many who have seen her for years, including Quattrini.
Ball (right) worked closely with Liam (left) and his family to secure the wheelchair he needed to live independently
“She’s calm, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable,” Quattrini said. “I’ve met a lot of providers, and Jen is the kind of person you remember. She treats my son like a whole person and will tolerate my 10-year-old’s randomness.”
Ball says the clinic sees people of all ages, from toddlers receiving their first mobility device to older adults navigating new physical limitations. Anyone in the community with a need for adaptive equipment or wheelchairs are welcome to access the clinic.
Overall, the clinic’s mission is to help people live with greater ease and dignity, and to make the process from start to finish as seamless as possible. For families like Quattrini’s, the clinic isn’t just a service. It’s a lifeline.
“She’s not just someone in a job. She’s someone we know we can go to when we’re not sure where else to turn. She’s a huge part of our team,” said Quattrini.
For more information about the Wheelchair and Adaptive Equipment Clinic, please read more here.