When a stairlift might not be right for you

Change is good, as the saying goes, but to what extent? You or a loved one should not have to move because of a simple flight of stairs. Your home is where memories are made, moments are cherished and life happens. Those stairs can easily be conquered now with a Savaria stairlift. And a stairlift solves the problem for many, but aging in place may come with future challenges.

Perhaps you or your loved one will need a walker or wheelchair in the future.  The Savaria Telecab provides mobility today and tomorrow.  Travel two levels in your home to overcome even complex staircase with curves, turns or immediate landings; or to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. The Telecab has many of the benefits of an elevator, but without the complex construction. Unlike a traditional elevator, no hoistway is required because it travels through a floor cut-out, along the provided rail system. If you’re facing a mobility challenge today, you may want to consider an investment that takes you where you want to go for years to come.

You can visit Savaria’s website for more information on the Telecab.

Accessibility at sea

All aboard!  The familiar term now speaks the true meaning with a new accessibility lift for boats. Now it’s easier for wheelchair users to set sail thanks to the recently completed project by All Phase Fabrication in Marion, Massachusetts.

Using a solar-charged battery and 360-degree rotation pivot arm, avid wheelchair boaters now have easy access to the sport they love.  With an aging population, the need for accessibility and the drive to provide it for individuals is increasing.  Thanks to both established companies like Savaria and community projects such as this one in Marion, access is more becoming more inclusive.

You can read the entire article on the South Coast Today website.

Walking his way into the future

When Robocop hit theaters, it was completely fictious and improbable that a severely wounded cop was able to walk, move and fight crime again. But that movie came out 24 years ago and there are changes afoot.

Last month, Austin Whitney took his first steps in four years after being paralyzed in a car accident.  He choose his commencement for this momentous coming out. It was his dream to walk on stage and receive his diploma and in front of the 2011 graduating class he did just that.

Robocop and a paraplegic Berkeley graduate come together in reality through the concept of bionic limbs which in 2011 are made by ReWalk . Led by mechanical engineering Professor Homayoon Kazerooni, a team of graduate students built an exoskeleton, which allowed Austin to fulfill his dream. Prof. Homayoon has had experience working with robotic exoskeletons, as founder of Berkeley Bionics, a company that is currently in the trial process of another exoskeleton that is expected to be available by 2013.

The exoskeleton worn by Austin, weighs 40 pounds and took 9 months to get to a comfortably usable stage. You can read more about this fascinating product including how it works and watch Austin receive his diploma here.

Fore!

The sport of golf is an acquired taste as it requires a lot of time, practice and energy to walk the green from hole to hole. Well, for two 15-year old boys, the love of golf just comes naturally. Guillaume who is paralyzed from the waist down and Quentin who has a severe motor-impairment were only too happy to tee off in Switzerland. With the help of an electric wheelchair that allows the teens to play standing, and the help of Just for Smiles foundation, they were able to fulfill their dream of playing golf. Just for Smiles is a not-for-profit organization established to help poly-handicapped people access various open-air activities. Organizations such as these allow children with disabilities to experience something they thought they never could on their own. Just for smiles connects them with network of motivated professionals who are present to help them every step of the way. To read more about Guillaume and Quentin’s experience click here. FXP4VNVZFPPD

Just for Smiles Foundation: http://www.just4smiles.ch/en