Disability by multiple sclerosis: Poor balance has its challenges
Patrick bought a regular stool with wheels to see if it would help him day-to-day and especially in the kitchen. But it didn’t make life easier for him, as his feet often bumped against the stool’s frame.
Only when Patrick was presented with a VELA chair as an assistive device could he live a life with multiple sclerosis with far fewer challenges.
I can’t stand up and talk to someone for more than a few minutes. If you haven’t experienced challenges with balance yourself, it’s really hard to comprehend how much it dominates everyday life.
This is how Patrick talks about his life with multiple sclerosis and the disability that the diagnosis has given him.
Suddenly, he has no more energy. He can be in his laundry room, folding clothes and ironing, and out of the blue, his energy level drops. That means he has to lean against the table or grab something quickly to avoid falling.
Multiple sclerosis and mobility: A chair made a difference
When Patrick got a chair from VELA, his daily life became markedly different. He could now use his energy in a completely different way and not have to worry about his disabilities, such as poor balance. Patrick mentions some key features of the VELA chair that made a difference in his multiple sclerosis and mobility.
Height adjustment is crucial for his disability
The height adjustment of the chair and the safe brake means that he can reach cupboards at different heights in the kitchen again. In short, the VELA multiple sclerosis chair has changed Patrick’s capabilities and energy level in the kitchen from zero to the highest level again.
The height adjustment allows me to raise the chair so I can have a conversation at eye level with others. And I can lower the chair enough for me to sit down at the dining table with my family – the height adjustment is indispensable!
Help from armrests – assisted living
A VELA chair has armrests that give Patrick support and protect him from falling off the chair. He mentions other features that are nice to have too – for example, the adjustable backrest and the ability to change the angle of the seat.
A chair for multiple sclerosis can make a big difference, and Patrick is a brilliant example of that.
Patrick’s daily life is more accessible with a chair from VELA
Patrick can cook in the kitchen again without worrying about an energy level that can suddenly drop drastically. He is particularly delighted that he can now be at eye level with the person he is talking to.
He can now forget his disability for a while and resume his passion for cooking and lower the chair to the same height as a standard dining chair. Now, he can actually both cook and eat the meal with his family afterwards while conserving his energy for the rest of the day.