We’ve been hearing from many paralyzed veterans lately who are either unaware of the equipment they are entitled to or are being unfairly denied equipment they deserve. Veterans, if you’re reading this, please fight for what you deserve.
DeMarlon Pollard is a T4-5 paraplegic who got an EasyStand several years ago, prescribed by his therapist, and paid for by his VA Hospital. Now he can’t imagine life without it. “As a veteran who was fortunate enough to have a stander prescribed for me by my therapist, I could not imagine life without my EasyStand. Having a stander at home has greatly increased my quality of life.”
He was an athletic, active individual before his injury, which made maintaining his active lifestyle post injury even more important. And he has done so, with the help of his 
EasyStand Glider. “Standing also helped me after my injury to be able to get back to being active. I was able to attend the 2007 Veteran’s Wheelchair Games, just one year after my injury, where I brought home two Silver Medals!”
Based on his experiences, DeMarlon has some important advice for his fellow veterans and their clinicians. “My advice to veterans whose doctor/therapist is not proactively telling them about standing is to ask. Ask about how a regular standing program would benefit your health, how it would help with things such as pain, bone density, bowel/bladder program, flexibility, and overall self-confidence. If you are a doctor or therapist working with people who have a spinal cord injury, I urge you talk to your patients about standing and prescribe a standing frame for them to use at home.”
What are you waiting for? If you are a veteran take the time to talk to your physical therapist(s) about standing! Below are a few resources that can help you get started.
DeMarlon’s Story “Stand Strong and Stay Positive”
Health Benefits of Standing
Life After Spinal Cord Injury (Information & Videos)
More Blog Posts About SCI
Finally a big thank you to all of our veterans and active service members! You are truly heroes!
Are you a Veteran like DeMarlon who participated in a regular standing program? How has standing benefited you?
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