Symptoms of MS include paralysis, numbness or tingling, fatigue and vision impairment. Depending on their degree of functional impairment, MS sufferers may encounter problems performing everyday activities at home or in the workplace.
Many sufferers find that they tire quickly, have difficulty standing up and sitting down and have poor balance; walking, standing for long periods or holding kitchen utensils and cutlery are awkward; and they experience pain and problems of orientation.
VELA has a wide selection of customised chairs, sit-stand chairs and electric wheelchairs, which can make everyday life easier and thereby enable MS sufferers to be self-reliant for as long as possible.
In cases of slight functional impairment, such as reduced balance or difficulty walking, a customised chair or sit-stand chair can aid day-to-day activities:
- Increased mobility: The user can 'walk' the chair forward and thereby move around without assistance. There is plenty of room for the feet between the large, smooth-running wheels.
- Greater safety: Users who for example have poor standing balance benefit from extra safety and peace of mind when the chair's central brake is activated. This ensures that the chair remains completely stationary when the user stands up or sits down, for example. The armrests offer extra safety and peace of mind; they help the user to lower him- or herself slowly and safely onto the chair.
- Easier operation: If the user has reduced strength in hands and fingers or impaired vision, special easy-to-operate handles and switches can be fitted to the chair.
- Improved sitting posture: Users benefit from a comfortable and ergonomically correct sitting posture, since seat and backrest are adjustable to their needs.
- More comfort and support: Extra padding can be provided for seat, backrest and armrests; softer foam and various seat cushion options can be adapted to the user's needs; and special pressure-relief seats increase comfort and ease any pain.
- Less pain: Ease of operation and adjustability of the chair can reduce the risk of pain – electric height adjustment spares the user unnecessary shocks and bumps, for example, and also eases getting into and out of the chair. Reduced pain, greater safety and increased comfort also result in less tiredness.