Page 12 - The Mobility Project, 2021

Technology That Keeps Up with You
position? Do you activate tilt first, then recline? Or vice versa? Keeping track of it all — and also counting the number of
times you’ve repositioned per day, and how many days you fulfilled your repositioning goals this week — can be an entire regimen in itself. And who has time for that?
If you’d love a personal assistant to keep track of your posi- tioning, ask your seating team about “memory” options that can retain data such as how far back to tilt. Memory systems, which are part of your power chair’s electronics, can be programmed by your seating team so you or a caregiver just need to press a button or switch when it’s time to reposition. The seating system
does the rest: It will tilt and recline the prescribed amount... and yes, it will remember which function to activate first.
Some systems can also keep track of how long you remain tilted/reclined, and how many times a day you did your repo- sitioning. You’re busy enough: Let your power chair electronics keep track of your positioning.
Standing Can Be a Power Move
You’ve probably heard healthcare researchers say that sitting for long periods — at a work desk all week, for example — can nega- tively impact your health over time. Human anatomy is designed
Transportability: Taking Mobility Along for the Ride
Seating and wheelchair manufacturers aren’t just designing smarter products with greater functionality. They’re also emphasizing transportability: a smaller size, a lighter weight, or a combination
of those traits. And they’re focusing on convenience — devices that can be more easily and quickly folded and stowed.
Ki Mobility Liberty FT
For example, take a look at Ki Mobility’s Liberty FT manual wheel-
chair. This wheelchair is designed for
foot propulsion, a mobility method often preferred by patients who’ve had a stroke. While many stroke patients are stuck with heavier, less functional, harder-to-propel wheelchairs, the Liberty FT uses newer technology, including high-pressure metal molding, which results in very strong but lighter-weight parts. And despite its tilt- in-space function, the Liberty FT folds for easier storage and has a transport weight of less than 26 lbs. For an even more compact chair, you can choose an optional folding backrest for the Liberty FT.
To the folks at Altimate Medical, transportability means the ability to easily take a standing frame from place to place,
whether that means moving it from the family room into a closet when company comes over, or from the family room at home to the family room at Grandma’s house. Altimate Medical’s new Zing Portable uses a tripod-style frame for
a smaller overall footprint and an easily folded package that’s easy to carry, thanks to its balanced weight. The Zing Portable is specially designed for little ones ages 0-3 and weighing up to 36 lbs. Fully configured, this new stander weighs about 20 lbs., making it easier than ever to main- tain a child’s standing routines even while away from home.
Leggero Reach
sizes — 12", 14", and 16" seat widths — and all sizes are foldable to fit into the family car. The lightweight aluminum cast frame makes the Reach easy to lift, and this wheelchair’s seat tilt and hip angle (recline) are quick and easy to adjust on the fly, for ideal positioning in a snap.l
Resources
Alber: (888) 426-8581; alber-usa.com Altimate Medical: (800) 342-8968; altimatemedical.com
Amylior: (888) 453-0311; amylior.com Braze Mobility: (877) 272-9326; brazemobility.com
Cheelcare: (647) 800-2680; cheelcare.com Ekso Bionics: eksobionics.com
ITEM Coalition: itemcoalition.org
Ki Mobility: (800) 981-1540; kimobility.com Leggero: (844) 503-5437; leggero.us LUCI: luci.com
Motion Concepts: (888) 433-6818; motionconcepts.com
NCART: ncart.us
Parker Hannifin: indego.com
Permobil (SmartDrive): (800) 736-0925; permobil.com
Sunrise Medical: (800) 333-4000; sunrisemedical.com
Altimate Medical Zing Portable
It can be tempting to reach for a generic umbrella-style stroller for outings, but children who need postural support can benefit when that support is maintained
at all times. Leggero’s Reach provides postural support in a stylish, fami- ly-friendly design. Reach comes in three
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