‘A scripted wheelchair makes a world of difference’
Ian at Glide Product’s manufacturing plant at Balcatta.
Ian has always used Glide manual wheelchairs and is so accustomed to them that he has developed intrinsic muscle memory. However, he learned the ergonomics and functionality of his wheelchairs the hard way.
It took Ian eight years to learn how to stand and walk again. His body protested with crushing pain at every determined movement, but Ian, who had always been athletically gifted, persevered and overcame his physical limitations against all odds.
Before those gruelling eight years, Ian had been on life support for almost 18 months due to a freak road accident that ruptured his spine in several sections and broke the femur in his right leg. His doctors had lost all hope of him ever walking again.
At an early age, Ian found his calling in mechanics and construction. He was inventive, resourceful, and lived the do-it-yourself lifestyle. By his mid-twenties, he had dabbled in various jobs, from mechanical, electrical, construction, and cabinet-building work, to chauffeuring and even being a personal bodyguard. He found his groove in building public transport buses, cars, and motorcycles.
He was passionate about his high-octane hobbies in car and motorcycle racing and performing stunts. He was an avid bodybuilder, trained in the combat sports of Muay Thai and taekwondo, was well-known in the scuba diving circle, and was a semi-professional in ice hockey.
When his doctors briefed him after that accident and he was told he was "not being able to walk again," Ian said to himself that he knew his body best and firmly believed otherwise. He was right. He learnt to walk again but has had three more accidents since, with the last one breaking four of his vertebrae and rendering him wheelchair-bound at the time of writing.
He has been in and out of a wheelchair for over 20 years now. He says that his wheelchair is like an appendage that makes him functional, and productive, and gives him the freedom to be independent. "I always look on the bright side of everything, no matter what. I try to make the most out of every situation. Though I might be limited to my wheelchair for the time being, I believe that I will be able to walk on my own someday. If not, I am not fretting but thriving with it. My body is responding amazingly. I feel strong in my upper body. I work out regularly in my wheelchair. I feel efficient at my vehicle repair garage. I have adjusted to my different body movements while working in my garage and home to be as independent as possible. I cleverly use harnesses, straps, and elastics while working. I can operate my wheelchair and tools on my own. I feel great about everything."
Ian has always used Glide manual wheelchairs and is so accustomed to them that he has developed intrinsic muscle memory. However, he learned the ergonomics and functionality of his wheelchairs the hard way.
His first wheelchair was bought second-hand, and it left him frustrated. Since it was not customised for him, no matter how many adjustments he made to the wheelchair, it felt clunky and did not respond the way he wanted it to. Later, when his occupational therapist and physiotherapist recommended that he gets a Glide wheelchair that was suited to his body and needs, he found himself learning and flourishing in it.
“My wheelchair is so smooth, responsive, and adheres to me like it is a part of me. Though I might need some support in places that are not wheelchair friendly, I am free and independent in my home and garage. My physical shortcomings have not affected my work. I have adjusted to realising and living my life differently now. Thanks to Glide Products for crafting such dependable wheelchairs.”
Your chair. Your way.
As one of Australia’s leading wheelchair manufacturers, Glide Products specialises in wheelchair accessories and spare parts. Glide offers a range of power-assisted chairs, together with power add-on kits for manual models, designed to give you an extra boost of power whenever you need it.
Explore our spare parts or contact us for more information. For more information on power add-ons, read our article or check out the full range on the Glide website here.
