by Bryanne Freitag on December 11, 2008
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?
by Jadian Foley on November 12, 2008
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?
by Bryanne Freitag on October 7, 2008
Karly is a young woman with Rett Syndrome. Since she is unable to speak, she uses her blog “Inspired By Love” as a way to communicate. Karly is a passionate writer, who has the ability to draw you into her world using only words. She says, “I love to write. I am entering some of my writings into an event in our community in December. It was so fun last year to enter my poems and music.”
Karly also uses facilitated communication (FC) to speak to those around her. FC is a process by which a facilitator supports the hand or arm of an individual who is unable to speak while using a keyboard, helping the individual to communicate. Karly shares her experience with FC, “When I was 9 years old, I started communicating with support using a keyboard. Prior to that I had no way to share my thoughts, fears, pain, or wishes. When I started to use this method, there was so much excitement for me and my family.” Read Karly blog post “Facilitated Communication Saved My Life.”
We first met Karly a couple years ago at her school. She uses her EasyStand stander as a way to experience things around her and to improve her quality of life. She talks about how she uses her EasyStand Evolv, “I love my EasyStand. I stand for at least an hour everyday. If I could, I would stand more. It helps so much to get pressure off my back and hips. Now that I am out of school I use it when I listen to books on tape, in the kitchen so I can be near the food and even on the deck.” Read Karly’s Story on our website.
What is your experience with facilitated communication or other assisted communication devices? Are there any disability related blogs that you would like to share?
Stand Up & Breathe-Karly Wahlin’s Story-PDF
Visit other Rett Syndrome Blogs
by Jadian Foley on September 30, 2008
Whenever my wife, Desiree, and I go on trips, my stander is among one of the top things that I can’t wait to get home to.
I have had T-5 paraplegia since July 7, 2003. Among the medical equipment that makes my life easier is the Evolv Mobile stander. I originally had the EasyStand 5000 and upgraded to the EasyStand Evolv about 6 months ago. The Evolv Mobile standing frame improves my overall quality of life! It is so nice to have things that make my life ‘normal.’
I experience endless benefits from standing including (but not limited to) decreased spasticity, increased circulation, temporary relief from my nerve pain, and most importantly my independence! I love that I do not always have to rely on other people to get me things. With my old standing frame I was just stuck in one place while I stood, because it did not have the mobility option.
I am a religious stander! Sometimes I stand for hours at a time. With my EasyStand Mobile standing frame I am able to wheel myself around anywhere I want to go. I like to wheel outside on the driveway to enjoy the weather.
Another thing I can do much easier is prepare meals for myself in the kitchen. I can move about the kitchen to the cupboards, refrigerator, and stove. I am able to stand right above the stove as opposed to having the flame on the stove right near my face. I also play games, read, eat and relax in my standing frame. Without it I would be hurting. Whenever my wife and I go on trips, my stander is among one of the top things that I can’t wait to get home to. I am thankful to have this helpful equipment!
My EasyStand Customer Story- PDF
YouTube Video of Me Using the EasyStand
by Bryanne Freitag on September 18, 2008
One of the things that I enjoy most about my job at Altimate Medical is hearing the success stories of our customers and helping them share those stories with others. Each story is so unique and will inspire others in a different way.
Cesca’s story is one of the two customer stories on our website about living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the other is Barbara Pressley. Cesca began having symptoms in her twenties but it took three years of hospital visits and tests before she was diagnosed. According to the National MS Society, in the US today, there are approximately 400,000 people with Multiple Sclerosis, and 200 more people are diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS is thought to affect more than 2.5 million people.
Cesca’s MS changeder life hvery quickly. In her story she talks about her experience, “My MS progressed to the point where I was either in a wheelchair or a bed 24/7. Now having that third option of standing, even on days when I don¹t feel well, truly makes a world of difference!” Cesca is very positive and does not let MS limit how she lives her life. Instead she does all that she can to enhance it, like standing in the EasyStand StrapStand. Read Cesca’s story to find out more about the life of this upbeat lady!
You can also download Standing Makes a World of Difference-Francesca Carollo’s Story as a PDF.
Do you have a story or comments to share? Let us know how disability or standing has changed your life.
