Users Stories

I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pedal but it is so easy.

- Jenn

Jenn’s experience
The following is a real conversation between Jenn and Dani, from Velochair.
Jenn
Jenn
Everyone stops me. I hand out the pamphlets. I give them all the information I have.
Jenn
Jenn
I like it because I still have function of my legs but I can’t stand that long so I wasn’t ready for a wheelchair. I wasn’t ready to be pushed everywhere but when we go to the store, I wind up sitting half the time and I don’t see anything and we don’t go anywhere together because I have to find a place to sit.
Jenn
Jenn
We went to the Abilities Expo looking for a wheelchair but when I saw this. That was it. We were so excited.
Jenn
Jenn
My family and my husband pushed me to go to the Expo even though I really didn’t want to but they said that eventually if I want to go anywhere with the family, I’m going to need a wheelchair. When we first saw the Velochair, I was hesitant about it at first but I was really impressed. We walked around for a bit just to see what there was but we didn’t see anything like it. Just your standard wheelchair.
Jenn
Jenn
At first I was like nah it’s ok, I don’t want to try it and then Ken was like just sit in it. Take it for a spin. Once I got in the Velochair, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pedal but it is so easy. I only have strength in one leg but the strength is building up in the other now. Once I figured out how to maneuver it and use the steering tillers, it was so easy. I love it.
Dani
Dani
So you definitely feel like you’ve gained some more muscle?
Jenn
Jenn
I feel like my weaker leg is now stronger than the leg that is fine believe it or not. (pointing to weaker leg) My doctor did some strength tests and she said that I have more muscle.
Dani
Dani
Aside from doctor’s visits, where have you guys taken the chair?
Jenn
Jenn
We go to the park. I go shopping, we went to the mall. We took it to the town parade. Everyone was asking me what the chair was and saying they had never seen anything like it before. I was like I know because it’s new!
Jenn
Jenn
This chair has opened my world. I think of all the people it can help as well. I want to see it flourish so much. People don’t realize how much freedom it really gives you. I didn’t realize it just by going to that expo. I was hesitant to even sit in it like I said and Now that I have it, it’s opened up our world. We can go out together as a family and do things together.
Dani
Dani
You’re not the only one who was hesitant to sit in it at first. What was your apprehension?
Jenn
Jenn
I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to push the pedals and I didn’t want to look weak. I thought it was going to be more like a bicycle and it was going to be harder and I can’t ride a bike because I can’t stay steady. You don’t have to do that with the chair. It just glides. I was just unsure, I saw everyone riding around in them but that was my biggest fear.
Jenn
Jenn
My son loves it. He’s only 14 but he’s so excited by it. He’s always asking where we are going to go. It’s a family bonding experience.
Jenn
Jenn
As for the steering on the chair, it’s intuitive. Usually when you get into something new, it takes some time to learn but I just started pedaling and took off!