Aileen Armitage has written 39 novels, an infinite number of short stories, and she can also write Emmy Award winner on her impressive CV. She is talented and very productive – and she actually has only four percent of her sight left.
However, her visual impairment doesn’t stop her from writing, although it obviously presents some daily challenges.
Unfortunately, visual impairment is not the only challenge Aileen has to deal with. She is elderly and was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis, which affects her hips, knees and back.
Over the years, Aileen has received a lot of help and aids for her visual impairment problems. Because she sits down so much and works at a computer, her day was filled with pain and a basic fear of falling.
Unfortunately, visual impairment and osteoarthritis are not a good combination for the elderly.
Aileen found that her existing office chair – a fairly standard office chair with five wheels – wasn’t a good match, given her visual impairment and physical condition.
The five wheels on the old office chair often got in the way of Aileen’s feet, and it was hard to push the chair around on the small wheels.
A VELA chair with an electric lift is a great aid and turned out to be the perfect match.
Aileen got a VELA chair for her home and can now sit down in a proper office chair with a brake. The brake means she never has to worry about whether the chair will roll away from under her when she gets up or sits down.
This creates a sense of safety and security, which can be difficult to achieve with visual impairment in the elderly.
Aileen quickly learned how a chair for the visually impaired works. And as soon as she was told that she could sit on the chair and “walk” the aid for visual impairment around, it didn’t take long before she happily “walked” from room to room.
The mobility chair has four smooth-running wheels, leaving plenty of room for the feet.
This chair is amazing. I feel so safe in it, and it’s a pleasure to be able to move from room to room with ease. It also has the advantage that I get to train my legs while I walk the chair forward.
Aileen loves her chair and is particularly fond of the electric lift. It allows her to change the height to suit where she sits and works – just by pressing a button.
Aileen needs to change the height and sitting posture during the day to not get too sore in the back, knees, and hips.
The electric lift also means that Aileen can use the chair as a visual impairment aid when she cooks, eats or does other things than work at home.
Aileen had reached a point in her life where severe pain meant she could no longer walk. So when the VELA visual impairment aid came into her life, it was like meeting a new friend.
It has become my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
Aileen has regained her independence and mobility, and that makes a huge difference in her life.
Now she no longer needs to worry about her balance, and her pain is minimised because she receives good support from an ergonomic VELA chair – her new best friend.
It’s easy to walk the chair between the kitchen and the dining table, and my VELA chair doesn’t take up as much space as the wheelchair.Read the full story
This chair is amazing. I feel so safe in it, and it’s a pleasure to be able to move from room to room with ease. It also has the advantage that I get to train my legs while I walk the chair forward.Read the full story
Now I enjoy cooking for several days at a time, and it makes a world of difference that I can peel the potatoes myself. A good diet is important when living with arthritis – and doing the work also builds up an appetite.Read the full story
Since I got a VELA chair, I’ve become more active in everyday life and less afraid of falling. The VELA chair has given me more freedom in my home and increased my confidence in daily tasks.Read the full story
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.Read the full story
I used to burn myself on the oven all the time, whenever I needed to take something out of it. That doesn’t happen anymore. Now I raise the chair up to the oven, and that means I do not burn myself on the edge of the oven door.Read the full story
Now, I find that I am much less tired. Before I had my VELA chair, my husband and I took 15-20 minutes to move me from the office chair and onto my scooter to get home at the end of the day. Now, it only takes a moment because I have a lot more energy.Read the full story
Previously, I couldn’t help with making dinner while standing up, especially by the stove. I needed something to hold onto because you never know when you are going to fall. I cook and stir the pot now because I can use both of my hands.Read the full story
Now I can reach pots and plates in both the top and bottom cabinets, and the brake allows me to sit safely while I stir the pot or slice vegetables.Read the full story
More than a decade ago, Conny suffered a brain haemorrhage that left her paralysed. The electric lift and the wide wheels have given Conny much of her independence and sense of self-worth back. Rehabilitation and recovery after hemiplegia require activity, and she is now able to do that.
Read the full storyTo get the best guidance and advice towards your new VELA chair, you must contact a VELA dealer. They are thoroughly trained and has extensive knowledge about VELA chairs to find the most suitable chair for you and your day-to-day challenges.
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This content is based on over 50 years of development and expertise in VELA Chairs, with a global reach reflected in the sale of over 500,000 chairs worldwide. This page is a collaborative effort with the author.
