How Power Wheels Changed Christel’s life

  • 28. October 2024
  • Reading time: 15 min.
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Christel’s story

Christel is a 68-year-old woman who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for over 30 years. Her journey began in 1993 with swollen and painful hands and feet, and the arthritis soon spread to her knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, and back.

It’s been a long and challenging path, with so many surgeries and reoperations that Christel has lost count. She describes how, over time, she became increasingly worse and more restricted in her daily life, with pain throughout her body, especially in the mornings.

25 bone fractures in one year

Today, Christel relies on a wheelchair due to the severe pain and arthritis she experiences. In recent years, another diagnosis has also significantly impacted her life.

In 2022, Christel was diagnosed with osteoporosis, a bone disease that alters bone structure and strength, increasing the risk of fractures.1 For Christel, this had serious consequences, as she experienced 25 fractures in just one year.

To prevent future injuries, Christel needed a solution. The answer was a VELA chair with Power Wheels.

The difference between a wheelchair and a VELA chair with Power Wheels

When Christel leaves her home, she uses either an electric or a manual wheelchair. If it weren’t for the VELA chair with Power Wheels, her wheelchair would also be her primary means of indoor mobility. Christel is relieved that this isn’t the case, as the VELA chair gives her far greater freedom and opportunities within her home.

Despite Christel’s severe disability, it’s not immediately apparent when you visit her beautifully decorated home. Christel lives in an accessible single-storey home, yet nothing in the design suggests the use of assistive devices.

Her home is filled with colours, art, and life, arranged just the way she wants it. This is possible because she can move freely around in her VELA chair with Power Wheels.

I wouldn’t be able to do that with the electric wheelchair. It’s too large,” Christel explains.

Although Christel can no longer cook by herself, she loves being in the kitchen. In her chair, she can move around freely and guide her helpers, whom she affectionately calls “the girls,” when it’s time to prepare food.

I can go into the kitchen myself, say what I like, taste things, and be involved. The wheelchair would be far too big and in the way of the girls,” she says.
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At the dining table, the VELA chair allows Christel to move herself right up to the table like everyone else so she doesn’t feel excluded.

I’m part of what’s happening at the table now. I wasn’t when I was in my electric wheelchair. Now I can sit with my guests”, she says.

Even at Christmas, when gifts need to be wrapped, she’s involved.

I sat next to my helper while she wrapped the gifts and felt like I was the one doing it. I’m still part of my life.”

Even in the bathroom, where a vanity unit has been removed, Christel can wheel herself in and sit in her chair close to the sink to brush her teeth. When she talks about how much it means to be able to get right up to the dining table and sink on her own, it’s clear that she is deeply moved.

It means so much. You wouldn’t think so, but it does. I feel like a human being. You can quickly be pigeonholed. I used to be able to do everything. And suddenly, I can’t. I have to ask for help with everything, even the small things, so it means the world.”

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in the joints, leading to swelling, pain, stiffness, and in some cases, loss of mobility, particularly in the hands, feet, and wrists.2

Symptoms often develop gradually and can vary greatly from person to person. They can be unpredictable, with common symptoms including joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue.3

What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, which means “porous bones,” is a bone disease that occurs when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease, or when the structure and strength of bones change. This can lead to reduced bone strength and an increased risk of fractures.

Typically, there are no symptoms with osteoporosis, and many people only discover the disease when they spontaneously or with minimal stress break a bone. Fractures can occur in any bone, but are most common in the hip, spinal vertebrae, and wrists.1,4

24-hour care

Christel now lives with a personal care programme, which ensures she has help 24 hours a day. This arrangement is vital, as she is heavily reliant on daily support. She can neither stand nor walk, and her arthritis affects her shoulders, wrists, and fingers, making even the simplest tasks, like taking a sip of water, challenging.

Although there’s much she can no longer do on her own, Christel focuses on what she still can do. She still has the ability to transfer herself. This means she can stand up from her VELA chair and briefly stand while she moves to her armchair.

Thanks to the Power Wheels on the chair, Christel can independently move to her armchair and safely transfer when needed – an ability that means a lot to her.

The chair makes work easier for helpers

Karen is one of Christel’s regular helpers, and she describes how the VELA chair with Power Wheels has made her job significantly easier. Previously, it could be challenging to understand and carry out exactly what Christel wanted, but with the chair, Christel can move around her home and show directly how she wants things done. This gives Christel greater control and eases communication.

Karen also points out that the chair has made her physical work easier.

It’s a relief that we don’t have to push her around. She can easily turn the chair on its own axis,” says Karen.

This feature reduces the need for manual manoeuvring and lessens the physical strain on the helpers.

How the chair helps prevent dangerous falls

For Christel, safety is a crucial factor in everyday life. With her osteoporosis, a fall isn’t just dangerous but could result in multiple fractures, further limiting her already restricted independence. This could severely impact her ability to participate in daily activities.

Therefore, Christel is deeply grateful for her VELA chair with Power Wheels, which allows her to move right up to the place she wants to transfer to.

The chair is compact enough for her to position herself precisely, reducing the risk of unsafe steps and providing constant support during transfers.

Unlike a standard wheelchair, where size and footrests make it difficult to get close enough, the VELA chair offers the necessary proximity and security.

I feel safer with this chair because I can get as close as possible. I can’t do that in the wheelchair, which needs more space, and I can’t just drive up and transfer.”

Christel is very aware of the progression of her condition and knows that over time she risks losing her mobility. Therefore, it’s important for her to maintain as much independence and mobility as possible while she still can.

Learn more about our Power Wheel Chair

Power wheels for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis

A work chair with Power Wheels is a significant benefit for a user like Christel, who lives with severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. This arthritis aid allows her to relieve pressure on her joints, thereby minimising the inflammatory response that causes swelling and pain.

In addition, the chair also reduces the risk of fractures, as even small movements in a chair without Power Wheels could lead to fractures for Christel. Before she got her VELA chair with Power Wheels, she experienced 25 fractures in one year. Since getting the chair, she hasn’t had any fractures.

Why choose a chair with Power Wheels?

A VELA chair with Power Wheels offers a range of benefits that can make a significant difference for users with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, or other mobility challenges.

This chair is designed to help users maintain their independence, quality of life, and freedom of movement, even in difficult circumstances.

Here are some of the key benefits: 

Independent mobility

Even on “bad days,” users can move freely without relying on others.

Increased independence

The chair supports daily activities, increasing the user’s ability to perform tasks independently.

Enhanced mobility

Allows for more free and flexible movement within the home.

Energy conservation

Users can conserve energy and focus their strength on the tasks that matter most to them.

Maintain autonomy and quality of life

By enabling greater independence, the chair helps maintain a high quality of life.

Cost-effective solution

The chair can be retrofitted on a Tango 700E and used on another Tango 700E, making it a flexible and cost-effective solution.

Avoid major home modifications

Unlike electric wheelchairs, this chair doesn’t require extensive home adaptations, preserving freedom of movement in the home without significant costs.

Less need for home care

Greater autonomy reduces dependence on assistance from others, potentially minimising the need for home care.

Extend the time in your own home

With Power Wheels, users can maintain their independence for longer and continue living in familiar surroundings.

Who can benefit from Power Wheels?

Our chair with Power Wheels is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of users with various mobility challenges. It is particularly suitable for:

Elderly individuals experiencing reduced strength in their arms and legs.

Users with balance issues who are at risk of falling.

Users who tire quickly and need a solution that requires less physical effort.

Users who have difficulty walking or pushing themselves in their chair. 

Users with reduced mobility due to pain. 

Users who use a manual or electric wheelchair at home but experience limitations in their daily activities.

It’s important to note that VELA recommends that users of the chair with Power Wheels have a stable sitting position and are able to independently transfer to and from the chair.

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Sources

1 Osteoporosis Causes & Symptoms | NIAMS (nih.gov)

2 Rheumatoid Arthritis | Arthritis | CDC

3 Rheumatoid Arthritis | Health Topics | NIAMS (nih.gov)

4 What is osteoporosis and what causes it? | bonehealthandosteoporosis.org