About Us
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The owner is always in at
Conval-Aid, a respected local health care company that was established in 1976. Don and Judi Ed (Pronounced Eed) and their children, Merrill and Stuart, will be happy to help you. This is a family business, built on solid values— honesty, reliability, friendly service, personal care and expert advice.
From modest beginnings as a part-time, one-person endeavour, Conval-Aid has grown to employ 22 people and to provide customers across Eastern Ontario with a wide range of high quality health care products and services.
It all started back in 1976, when a hockey buddy approached Don about becoming partners in a business to sell and rent wheelchairs. "The health care industry was definitely in its infancy," says Don. He and Judi decided to give it a go. Meanwhile, Don still had a full-time job and Judi was a full-time mother. The kids were just two and three years old.
For the first few years, the business was operated out of a car and a small office on Boyd Avenue. "We had one desk, one filing cabinet and one phone," says Judi. She did all the paperwork from home. They laugh now about that clunker first car. It barely ran.
By 1980, they were finally able to have a new car - and a new location at the corner of Carling and Bronson. Thanks to the visibility of the address and the growth of the industry, their business took off.
In 1985, the Eds became sole owners of Conval-Aid. They soon branched out to launch Capital Ostomy Corner. Today it's a specialized division of Conval-Aid, offering on-site consultations as well as ostomy supplies and incontinence supplies to meet their client's needs.
In the late '80s, Don came across an engineering student with the potential to develop concepts into viable health care equipment. It was a fortuitous meeting. "I see the specialized needs our clients have," Don explains. "I have the ideas for products that I can't bring to fruition." Well, now it happens. Since HealthCraft Products Inc. was founded in 1994, a number of innovative health care products have come to market. There are numerous patents, Don says, and all the merchandise is available at Conval-Aid.
In the early '90s, the Eds partnered with Don Johnston to develop a new company, Liftability… and so added a range of driving-related solutions for those with special needs, including van conversions, hand controls and lifts.
As Conval-Aid grew, so did the kids. They started working part-time in the business in high school, then full time after they completed their post secondary education. Merrill and Stuart have now taken over the company reins.
Today, Conval-Aid is located at 2600 Lancaster Rd. (across the road from Minto Arena), and it's thriving. The showroom has been professionally designed to help you discover the products that will enhance your lifestyle. Products are available for sale or for rent, from shower chairs and recliner chairs to wheelchairs, walkers, daily living supplies and stair lifts. There's a four-person service department and an outside sales staff of six. There's even a HubScrub on site. It's like a washing machine that can clean and disinfect your wheelchair.
You name it. Just ask. The Eds and their friendly, experienced team can help you with accurate information and the best products to suit your needs and circumstances. Their technicians can actually design and manufacture adaptive pieces just for you.
"We're very service oriented," says Don. "We've built our reputation on providing our valued clients with what they need and treating them like family."
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