EasyStand standers

We have just completed this short video of the new EasyStand Bantam standing frame for kids. The video is an overview of the Bantam features, options, and benefits of standing for kids. This video below is from YouTube, but you can also find this video online at easystand.com on the Bantam page or the videos page. It is about five minutes long.

Matt does motivational speaking as a way to give back to those who supported him & extend a helping hand to others less fortunate.

What makes someone a role model? A role model can be anyone, some one you learn and take guidance from, some one who makes a difference in your life or the lives of others, or some one who uses their disability to inspire and help others.

Sometimes when we think of great role models we think of famous people with disabilities like former actor Christopher Reeve. Christopher & his wife Dana funded research to find a cure for spinal cord injuries & help improve the lives of people living with paralysis through grants, information & advocacy. Football players Doug Betters or Mike Utley, inspire others through their hard work & determination & hold events to raise money for SCI.

But there are many other disability role models out there that strive for a cause and make an impression on the people around them everyday. Matt Courson talks about this in his EasyStand Story, “Being a former athlete, I thought the Michael Phelps and Darren McFaddens were the athletes and heroes in our society. However, after attending these therapy centers, I learned that the girls and guys putting in the time and effort to achieve common goals were the real heroes. Instead of scoring touchdowns or winning gold medals, these individuals were defying medical history by recovering from paralysis!”

In Matt’s Story he also talks about his role model, “My father is my hero, he has portrayed to me what a hero is. He would work his job during the day and at night come home and do spinal cord injury therapy with me for a couple of hours. He is truly the man I want to be someday!” Matt we think that you are a great role model too!

We want to hear from you! Who is your role model and why?

Here’s a story about Myron Wright, a former high school athlete who was injured in a 2002 football game when an opposing player slammed him from behind. He vowed to someday walk again. For the past 8 months, he went through SCI therapy at the Project Walk spinal cord rehabilitation program in California.

Before attending Project walk, he had limited range of motion and his doctors told him that the shape of his body was resembling a wheelchair. At first he was hesitant to try many of the machines at Project Walk, including the standing frame. Myron has made a lot of progress, and now stands in his EasyStand at home. His family hopes to raise some money so he can return to Project Walk to continue his therapy.

Read the full article “Paralyzed Thibodaux man one step closer to walking”, published by the Thibodaux Daily Comet.

Because I sit in my wheelchair most of the day, my trunk muscles are not strong enough to steady my gun. Standing in my EasyStand helps me to steady my hand, making it easier to hit my targets.

One of the many activities I enjoy while standing is target practicing in from my patio. By utilizing my EasyStand Evolv stander, I feel it gives me the true position needed to target practice.

First of all, Iʼm in a standing position. Second, the tray on top of the standing frame helps steady my shot. Third, I have a better view. Finally, the support and balance the standing frame gives me is by far the most beneficial.

With all things considered, the stander helps prepare me for the real hunt. Thanks to EasyStand for improving my quality of life as a T5 paraplegic.

To read more about Jadian Foley, his activities, and standing routine, read his EasyStand customer story.

Does standing help you perform tasks or activities that are otherwise more difficult when in a wheelchair? What activities do you do while standing?

I ran across this video on Youtube showing Matt, a young man who has ALS- Lou Gehrig’s disease, using the EasyStand stander. Shartrina is Matt’s wife and caregiver, and demonstrates how she transfers Matt into the stander and gets him into the standing position. She also has some tips on making it more comfortable, adapting it for use with a ventilator, and more.

Matt and Shartrina have an inspirational website called the Matt White Cure ALS Foundation where they have documented their story and are educating others on ALS. I encourage you to check out www.cureals.org to read about their story.

What do you think of the video? Do you know a person who has ALS?

Ryan has Cerebral Palsy and uses a power wheelchair for mobility, but doesn’t let his disability slow him down. He does fun therapy in his standing frame, walker, and bike to keep his muscles strong for other activities. He goes horseback riding, skis, swims, and does many other things that able-bodied kids do. His mom, Luann, shares how Ryan stays healthy and active through daily standing therapy and a variety of other great activities.

When you see Ryan, you see a glowing kid, full of potential. Ryan started standing in an EasyStand Magician-ei when he was only three years old; he worked his way up to an EasyStand Magician Comfy and is a third grader already! We had the pleasure of meeting Ryan at his home during a photo shoot with the new EasyStand Bantam. In this video, you see Ryan standing in the Magician-ei, Magician Comfy, and Bantam.

What do you think of Ryan’s story? What activities do you do for fun?

Matt building strength in the EasyStand Evolv Glider at Project Walk, in Carlsbad, CA.

It’s not everyday that you meet a person like Matt Courson. Matt is a 23 year old college student from Arkansas, who is a T7 Incomplete paraplegic. He is determined, hard-working, and the type of guy that you just sense the great attitude oozing out of him. I say this without meeting him face-to-face, but feel like I have after seeing him on youtube, Mattcourson.org, Facebook, and even the Washington Post.

Through his rehab programs at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, & Project Walk in Carlsbad, California, and hours of rehab at home, Matt is working towards becoming the 1%. To understand what it means to be the 1%, know that his doctors told him that there was a 99% chance that he would never walk again.

Earlier this year, the Washington Post wrote an article about Kennedy Krieger Institute and activity-based restorative therapy. It includes interviews with Pat Rummerfield, who after 17 years of therapy has regained his ability to walk, and Matt Courson who seems to be following in his footsteps with his hard work, faith and determination.

Matt Courson uses the EasyStand Glider stander, combined with electrical stimulation, to gain strength, build muscle mass, and ultimately achieve his goal of walking on his own again one day.

Watch the Washington Post Video “Possibilities for the Impossible”

What do you think of the Washington Post’s article and video, Medical Marvel- Possibilities for the Impossible?

Are you going to the Medtrade show October 28-30 in Atlanta? Historically, Medtrade has been the show of the year for DME Suppliers and Rehab manufacturers to gather. Seeing new products, attending educational seminars, and networking is on everyone’s agenda. Despite the decreasing attendance at Medtrade over the years, Altimate Medical is excited to be going to Atlanta once again:

1. The greatly anticipated EasyStand Bantam makes it first appearance at Medtrade! After a thorough design & evaluation period, we are excited to show suppliers and therapists the new stander that their schools and families were waiting for!
2. Our standers are Evolv-ing! A prototype of the EasyStand Evolv with an optional Swing Away Front will be in our booth. This allows the front table and kneepad to swing to the side, providing maximum transfer room.
3. The Evolv E3 was designed to make standing more attainable to the customer- come talk to us about it to see if it’s the right fit for you!
4. We can see old friends! For us, Medtrade is a great place to talk to our friends and customers in person; with the product right in front of us to play with!

Are you going to Medtrade this year? Why or why not? If you are attending, be sure to visit our crew in booth #1637A! We want to show you what the new Bantam and Evolv are all about! If you are not attending the show, let us know, and we will send you the new Bantam literature and price list when it’s available.