Category Archives: Mobility

Mobility needs for wheelchair users including wheelchair vans, ramps, foot and hand controls.

The Firefly Upsee

Stepping Out in the Upsee
The Firefly Upsee is a new device that helps children with disabilities walk with assistance from an adult. Though it didn’t hit the market until April 7, it was already creating a stir. Debby Elnatan was inspired to create the Upsee after watching her 5-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy, struggle with other walking devices. Now, for the first time, she can watch her little boy play soccer with his family.

A mother who invented a device to help her child walk is sharing her innovation on a grand scale — by putting her creation on the market.

Debby Elnatan said the strain of walking her son, Rotem, who has cerebral palsy, inspired her to design a harness that could enhance his mobility.

“Out of my pain and desperation came the idea for the Upsee and I’m delighted to see it come to fruition,” the Israeli mother said in a press release.

The nearly $500 device works somewhat on the principle of how parents often teach children to dance. But instead of young ones placing their feet on top of someone’s shoes, the Upsee places kids’ feet beside the grown-ups’ feet with specially designed sandals. The children stand facing forward and move as the grown-ups move.

Stimulation Restores Some Function For 4 Paralyzed Men

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Stimulation Restores Some Function For 4 Paralyzed Men
Four men who were told they could never move their legs again, now can.

The impressive work of a team of researchers at University of Louisville and UCLA has the potential to transform the lives of all people living with paralysis. In this experiment, using electrical current, the scientists were able to renew some signals that connect the legs and brain. The four men, who could not move their legs at all before the study, can now stand, flex and move their legs while the machine is turned on. These positive results bode well for future research in the field.

Paralysis may not last forever anymore. In an experiment hailed as “staggering,” a team of researchers at the University of Louisville and the University of California-Los Angeles restored some voluntary movement to four men who were told they would never move their legs again.

The finding, published online today by the journal Brain, upends understanding of the spinal cord and is likely to transform the lives of more than 1.2 million Americans who lack control over their lower limbs.

“The message here is that patients with spinal cord injury may no longer necessarily say it’s a sentence of complete, permanent paralysis,” said Roderic Pettigrew, director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the federal agency that helped fund the research. “Spinal cord injury is devastating, but now there is hope.”

By coursing an electrical current through the four men’s spines, the research team, which included scientists from the Pavlov Institute of Physiology in Russia, appears to have “dialed up” signals between the brain and legs that were believed to have been completely lost.

Unforgettable Anthem Performance

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Marley Sommer is the eldest son of AHL Worcester Sharks coach Roy Sommer. Marley also has Down syndrome and is autistic. Neither stopped him from taking to the ice on Wednesday night to perform the Star Spangled Banner in front of the crowd.

Sporting a special Worcester Sharks jersey for Autism Awareness Month, Sommer was supposed to sing the anthem from the bench. He had other ideas. With his dad behind him, Sommer took advantage of the red carpet laid out for the puck drop and walked out to the middle of the ice and let loose with the national anthem.

As you would expect, there wasn’t a dry eye in the building according to Sharks broadcaster Eric Lindquist. Everybody couldn’t help but be touched by a pretty incredible moment.

VMI Announces Partnership With AMVETS

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VMI Announces Partnership With AMVETS
Vantage Mobility International (VMI) announced their new partnership with AMVETS to increase support for U.S. active military, veterans and their families. The partnership, which recognizes VMI as an Official Vehicle Mobility Partner, was established as part of VMI’s ongoing effort to bolster its Operation Independence program.

“Our partnership will enable our organizations to reach more and do more for the courageous men and women who serve our country,” said Jeff Weston, vice president of sales and business development at VMI.

AMVETS, which is the first World War II organization to be chartered by Congress, is now represented in virtually every state by national services officers (NSOs). These NSOs provide sound advice and prompt action on compensation claims at no charge to the veteran. As a leader in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for both citizens and veterans.

“Vantage Mobility has played an important role in supporting our disabled veterans through their Operation Independence program,” said J. Michael Fisher, development director at AMVETS. “The VMI team shares our belief that military men and women deserve the absolute best in care, support and resources in return for their honorable service. We look forward to working VMI to help disabled American veterans find access to quality mobility transportation.”

VMI and AMVETS finalized their partnership in February.

About AMVETS
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.

About Vantage Mobility International
Vantage Mobility International is a manufacturer and distributor of the most innovative, reliable, highest quality and easily accessible transportation in the world. Their full line of products include domestic and import minivan conversions, full-size van conversions, platform lifts, scooter and wheelchair lifts and transfer seats. For more information, call Aaron Cook at (214) 520‑3430 Ext. 306 or visit http://www.VantageMobility.com.

Wheelchair Motorcycle : A New Kind of Mobility

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If you have limited mobility due to a disability, you may think riding a motorcycle is simply out of the question. As the leader in mobility features and transportation for people with disabilities, Automotive Innovations takes that as a challenge. Believe it or not, there are several motorcycles that have been developed including one built from a BMW motorcycle that is made with the specific needs of people with disabilities in mind.

Jim’s passion for motorcycles is unwavering he has worked on wheelchair accessible motorcycles for more than 10 years with features like an EZ-Lock wheelchair locking system to keep you safe and sturdy, interior storage departments to secure your belongings, a passenger seat for your favorite partner in crime, and an automatically controlled rising and lowering access ramp for a hassle-free ride.

If you’re a daredevil at heart, like Jim, and want an exciting way to get around, see if he can up fit a motorcycle just for you. Do you need to bring a little adventure to your life and experience the open road. Whether it’s for daily trips to run errands, a casual Sunday drive, or a road trip across state lines, you’ll get a kick out of the ease and comfort that comes with driving a wheelchair accessible motorcycle. If you are no longer able to ride a standard motorcycle but are not ready to give up the thrill of the ride, contact Automotive Innovations and find out how Jim Sanders and the mobility experts at Automotive Innovations will change your life!

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This mobility update has been brought to you by Vmi New England and Automotive Innovations your Bridgewater, MA NMEDA Mobility Dealer – Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features?

Jim Sanders is one of of the most experienced people in the country at building High-Tech driving equipment and vans for passengers and individuals who drive from a wheelchair. He offers a unmatched practical and theoretical foundation in the application of vehicle modifications for individuals with disabilities. With over 25 years experience, he continues to spearhead new and exciting technological advancements in this growing and emerging market.

Jim is also an avid motorcyclist, extreme snowmobiler and ATV’er, if you are even in need of snowmobile, atv or motorcycle modifications feel free to contact him directly.