REHACARE Newsletter
Ottobock
Ottobock is Official Supporter of INVICTUS GAMES DÜSSELDORF 2023
27.03.2023
The Ottobock company is supporting the INVICTUS GAMES 2023 in Düsseldorf on site with a technical service for prostheses, orthoses and wheelchairs. In close proximity to the training and competition venues, Ottobock will be on hand with its international team and over 100 years of experience in medical technology.
MEYRA GmbH
MEYRA presents the world's first folding wheelchair NANO S
22.03.2023
The company MEYRA has produced the first folding wheelchair named NANO S. It is a folding wheelchair with open frame and removable leg supports, which stands out with its lightness and stability.
Ottobock
Ottobock: a new lease of life with an app-controlled leg orthosis
15.03.2023
Denise was 29 years old when she underwent disc surgery – a seemingly harmless procedure. However, the surgery didn't go as smoothly as planned and when she woke up from anaesthesia, she could no longer feel her right thigh. The diagnosis: incomplete paraplegia. The world's first smart leg orthosis, the C-Brace® has given the mother of two new mobility and improved her quality of life.
oneinchpunchphotos
Lower fracture risk for older wheelchair users
13.03.2023
Being a frail elderly person and using a wheelchair involves a substantially reduced risk of fractures, a University of Gothenburg study shows. More prescriptions for wheelchairs may result.
privat
Frank Lackner – That's how he rolls
08.03.2023
Frank Lackner fights for more accessibility in public spaces. In 1991, he and a friend founded the International Citizens' Initiative for Wheelchair Users' Interests, or INTERROLLI in short. What improvements he would like to see in disabled toilets and how else he rolls, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
PARAVAN
"Mobile tailor-made suit" by PARAVAN: flexible operating devices for vehicles
27.02.2023
Lukas drives his new Ford Tourneo Connect with the Space Drive driving and steering system and two joysticks – one for accelerator/brake and one for steering. But every now and then, someone else sits behind the steering wheel who doesn't need these input devices. Thanks to a resourceful solution from PARAVAN's technicians, this can be realized within a minute.
Sandra Lange
Annika Schröder – That's how she rolls
22.02.2023
Accessibility plays a key role for Annika Schröder. She sees a need to catch up in many areas – from public transport to bureaucracy. The 25-year-old competitive athlete has the support of her friends and family. Why she would like to see more determination from politicians and how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Sebastian Stabler – That's how he rolls
08.02.2023
Not just stand, but dance – that's what Sebastian Stabler would like to do. He is still waiting for the right assistive equipment. But the paraplegic 37-year-old already shows himself to be a sporty and active person. Why he would like to meet a certain bodybuilder and how he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
chormail
Navigating normal, cluttered spaces in mind-controlled wheelchairs
06.02.2023
A mind-controlled wheelchair can help a paralyzed person gain new mobility by translating users’ thoughts into mechanical commands. On November 18 in the journal iScience, researchers demonstrate that tetraplegic users can operate mind-controlled wheelchairs in a natural, cluttered environment after training for an extended period.
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Sascha Scholz – That's how he rolls
11.01.2023
Nowadays, mobility for many people with disabilities means being able to be self-determined in their own car. One prerequisite for this is a driver's license. Which detours and obstacles Sascha Scholz had to overcome to get his license, where he went on his subsequent European tour, and how he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Victoria H. – That's how she rolls
30.11.2022
Victoria H. sees the world with more mindful eyes since she had to get to know herself and her body anew. However, she has retained her enthusiasm for sports and has found many new ways to practice it. What kind of role REHACARE plays in this, why straws are an important assistive device in her everyday life and what how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Wolturnus
Assistive technology for children with disabilities: Wheelchairs promote mobility
30.11.2022
Mobility is key for overall child development. That is why children who have limited movement depend on getting the right wheelchair at an early stage to compensate for their disability and encourage participation. Manufacturers of pediatric wheelchairs are acutely aware of the important role they play in this setting. They showcased a wide variety of wheelchairs for children at REHACARE 2022.
private
Ricky – That's how he rolls
16.11.2022
His relationships with his family, friends and God not only make Ricky's day, but are also his most important tools in everyday life. And with his modified bus, wheelchair and walker, he is able to compensate well for his limitations. Which positive experiences he has already had, how the supply of aids could be optimized and how he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
Saskia Melches
Saskia Melches – That's how she rolls
02.11.2022
Various assistive devices and a team of assistants help Saskia Melches to manage her active everyday life. Whether in or out of her home, she wants to lead as self-determined a life as possible. How society and the assistive technology industry could support her, what the jungle of Peru is all about and how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Andrea Mocellin
Accessible traveling: foldable wheelchair by Revolve Mobility
18.10.2022
How can traveling become more accessible and more self-determined for wheelchair users – especially when traveling by plane or taking a cab? This is the question Andrea Mocellin wanted to address when he started inventing Revolve Air. His solution: a wheelchair with foldable wheels and a foldable frame.
Svenjas Welt
Svenja – That's how she rolls
05.10.2022
Getting used to an assistive device is not always easy. That's how Svenja felt about her wheelchair at first. But now she appreciates how much freedom and flexibility it gives her in everyday life. Which other aid she thinks should be invented and which special wheelchair she once discovered at REHACARE, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Antonio Hoempler
Antonio Hoempler – That's how she rolls
21.09.2022
Whether it's festivals or downhill skateboarding – Antonio Hoempler loves action and adaptive sports. He also enjoys riding his handbike. With the support of friends and assistive devices, he can pursue his many interests. How he rolls otherwise, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
REHACARE highlights in 2022
12.09.2022
It's finally that time again, REHACARE 2022 will take place live on site again! The joy is equally great among visitors and exhibitors, finally assistive devices can be tried out again and personal conversations can take place. Since we know that you can hardly wait to visit the trade fair, we have summarized some highlights for you in the Topic of the Month!
Genny Mobility
Genny’s self-balancing and two wheeled wheelchair gets an upgrade – revealed at REHACARE 2022
01.09.2022
Inspired by the self-balancing Segway, Genny Mobility developed a wheelchair equivalent. What started as a newbie on the mobility aids market, now is ready for its third generation. The new wheelchair will be revealed in two weeks at this year’s REHACARE. Francesca Belotti allows for a little glimpse into what we can expect.
Veigel GmbH + Co. KG
Electromobility: technology support for people with disabilities
29.08.2022
For persons with reduced mobility, participation in social and civic life is often only an option if the conditions are right: Wheelchair users need accessible designs to train stations or bus stops to use these modes of transportation. Unfortunately, many places still lack accessible accommodations, which is why many people rely on cars to ensure their mobility and transportation.
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Ann-Kathrin Ulbrich – That's how she rolls
29.06.2022
Ann-Kathrin Ulbrich was heavily pregnant when paralysis suddenly appeared in her right leg. As a mother of three, she was then suddenly dependent on a wheelchair. But she rose to the challenge and is proud of it. How she manages her everyday life, which aid is indispensable for this and how she rolls otherwise, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
ostfriesland.travel
Accessible trip planning: City sightseeing or active travel adventures?
22.06.2022
How do you want to spend your annual summer vacation? Are you headed for the beach or is skiing in the mountains more your style? No matter the destination, most people use their vacation time for a relaxing escape. Unfortunately, planning a trip can be stressful and is especially challenging for people with disabilities, as they must find accessible accommodations and inclusive destinations.
Liliya Krüger
Katharina Parafieva – That's how she rolls
01.06.2022
Katharina Parafieva lost both legs in an accident. Since then, she has been living with a wheelchair and prostheses. Getting out of her comfort zone and thinking positively were the most important steps for her to actively participate in life again. She tells REHACARE.com what else is important to her.
seventyfourimages
The joy of water sports includes people with disabilities
27.05.2022
Water sports such as diving, sailing, or kiteboarding evoke a feeling of freedom! You don’t have to travel the five oceans of the world to get in on the fun. Depending on the type of sport, your local man-made lake or public swimming pool can also do the trick.
davidpereiras
Auxiliary means industry: sustainable production, work and life
30.04.2022
The term "sustainability" has been on everyone's lips for some years now. Supermarkets advertise sustainable products, exchange platforms emphasize the sustainability of second-hand clothing, and disposable diapers are frowned upon by many young parents because of the mountains of trash they generate. But what is the actual situation in the medical and auxiliary means industry?
PantherMedia / HayDmitriy
Adaptive clothing: designed to fit
28.03.2022
Clothes should fit comfortably. They should make you feel great and be easy to put on and take off. Unfortunately, many "off-the-rack" clothes don’t meet these criteria. Those who don’t sport the measurements of the average woman or man find themselves at a distinct disadvantage. This includes people who use wheelchairs and people with restricted mobility.
PantherMedia/bitpics
Accessible bathrooms: fostering and maintaining greater autonomy and independence
28.02.2022
For most people, the bathroom is their happy place and sanctuary – which is why it is important to remove any barriers for safety, ease, and comfort. Unfortunately, this is not always a given when it comes to people with disabilities. Unless you live in a new building, you may have to remodel bathrooms and toilet rooms to accommodate your special needs.
PantherMedia / Andriy Popov
Accessible housing: a win-win situation
28.02.2022
Many homes and apartments are not accessible to people with disabilities. For years, builders of larger accommodations must comply with corresponding accessible design and construction requirements. Getting into an accessibility mindset right from the start benefits everyone!
Benoit Systemes
Mobile, more mobile, Mobili Kit: For more mobility into the narrowest corner
22.02.2022
When mobility declines, the step up to a wheelchair can be very costly, both emotionally and organizationally. Benoit Systemes has found a solution here: With the Mobili Kit, you can still make a U-turn in even the smallest hallway – and in your own favorite chair. Tanya Veraksa told us about the advantages of the Mobili Kit and the story behind Benoit Systemes.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
New product development takes an interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach
24.01.2022
Business stagnation is never a good thing. It’s the reason assistive technology manufacturers continuously come up with innovative equipment and improve on their existing products. REHACARE.com shows the influence users have on the assistive technology industry and explains the research and development processes in manufacturing companies.
Andi Weiland | Gesellschaftsbilder.de
The right wheelchair for every occasion
16.12.2021
Wheelchairs have a special significance for their users: they give many people with disabilities a great deal of freedom by enabling them to live more self-determined. Whether for daily errands in the city, off-road adventures in the forest or for sports – the variety of wheelchairs is constantly increasing. REHACARE.com took a closer look.
Pandhora S.r.l.
Light weight, beautifully styled and ergonomic – wheelchair design continues to evolve
16.12.2021
When you think of a wheelchair, you don’t necessarily consider it a high-tech assistive technology that is super trendy. In the past, the device was also heavy, over-sized, and difficult to transport. All that has changed, thanks to both innovative startups and well-known industry giants.
2KERR
Wheelchair "add-ons": it all adds up to more fun and participation
16.12.2021
Inclusion also means that nobody gets left out when it comes to recreational activities. People with disabilities no longer want to pass up on any events, whether it is wheelchair sports, outdoor activities or just having "more fun” getting around town. REHACARE.com took a closer look at some of the latest trends in the leisure sector and gained exciting insights.
trivida®
Reinventing the wheelchair wheel: greater independence with trivida®
09.12.2021
Nobody expects the reinvention of the wheel and yet that is exactly what P+L Innovations GmbH has accomplished. In this REHACARE.com interview, the company’s managing director, Dr. Christine Pflaumbaum, tells us what makes trivida® so unique, explains the benefits of a detachable wheelchair wheel and gives us insights into the development process.
Scewo AG
Getting the finished product to the customers: partnering up with medical supply stores
24.11.2021
The medical supply store is your first point of contact if you need a (new) assistive device: It has a vast selection of mobility supports, practical aids for everyday activities, sports and leisure equipment. But how do these items get to the medical supply store? And how can a startup find commercial partners and establish its products effectively?
Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann
Understanding their target market: retail companies in search of the best new products
24.11.2021
No two days are the same. You always learn and experience new things when you work with people. It’s one reason why medical supply stores strive to keep up to date on the latest product innovations. Besides manufacturers, retailers often step up to ensure the equipment lands in the right medical supply store.
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Sebastian Schild – That's how he rolls
03.11.2021
Sebastian Schild has made his strength his profession and helps others to lead a better life. The 36-year-old is a speaker, trainer and expert for inner strength, perception and mindset. Who he would like to philosophize with, what he cannot live without and how he rolls otherwise, he tells us at REHACARE.com.ottobock
Tokyo 2020: Paralympic Games in a "bubble"
29.09.2021
The Paralympic Games in Tokyo were different than originally planned – not only for the athletes, but also for the technicians and other experts who helped turn the Tokyo athletic event into a success. Daniel Anlauf was on location as a technician of Ottobock – the official technical service partner of the Paralympics.
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Claudia Staudt – That's how she rolls
28.07.2021
Love is the most important thing, everything else is secondary – Claudia Staudt realised this when she adopted her daughter. Lenas disability was not the focus of attention at any time. She wishes that her fellow human beings would see it in exactly the same way. How she copes with difficult situations, what she is particularly grateful and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Janine Kolbig – That's how she rolls
14.07.2021
Living a self-determined life is a matter of the heart for Janine Kolbig. She is the founder of the Centre for Self-Determined Living Northern Germany, which advises people with disabilities and represents their interests. What self-determination means to her, who the origin of this movement is for her and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Jim Dukes Photography
Jesi Stracham – That's how she rolls
30.06.2021
Jesi Stracham is a wheelchair user and has no problem with it: Over the years, she has learned to accept herself as she is and to detach herself from societal expectations – she no longer wants to have any labels put on her. How she has achieved this mindset, why every day is a good day for her and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Lukas Kapfer | www.th-10.de
From puppy to assistance dog: the multifaceted work with animal helpers
29.06.2021
Assistance dogs are cute, no question. But they have many more advantages: they relieve their owners of work, support them and open doors – in the real and figurative sense. But how do affected people get an assistance dog, what can four-legged helpers do and who finances their training? Living and working with animal helpers is multifaceted, but must be better protected by the law.
Tobias Kroll
Tobi Kroll – That's how he rolls
16.06.2021
How can we arrive in an inclusive world? Tobi Kroll has a few suggestions, because he is always thinking about barriers – both structural and social. But he also has some ideas about how society can accommodate people with disabilities. Who he would like to discuss our society with and how he otherwise rolls, he tells us on REHACARE.com.
Drazen Lovric
Ronja Holze – That's how she rolls
02.06.2021
Sport has a special significance in Ronja Holzes life: First it helped her to accept her new life situation, then she fought her way up to the world championship and into the national squad in just a few years. Which sports she is talking about here, which auxiliary mean is particularly important for her life as an athlete and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
LIFEtool
WheelSim VR: learning safe electric wheelchair operation thanks to virtual reality
20.05.2021
LIFEtool is as non-profit organization that counsels and equips people with the tools, they need to be successful. The Austrian company now successfully adapted its 2D-based simulator WheelSim to virtual reality. VR training enables power wheelchair users to practice difficult tasks in a safe environment.
Lego-Oma-Team
Rita Ebel – That's how she rolls
19.05.2021
Rita Ebel has become known as the "Lego granny": Since accessibility is still a scarce commodity, she designs ramps made of interlocking plastic bricks. Boxes of the colourful bricks are stored in her house and are transformed into ramps with creative patterns. Why she herself is dependent on accessibility, why she never loses her smile and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
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Julia Porzelt – That's how she rolls
10.03.2021
Julia Porzelt is a team athlete: together with her horses Dainty and Bruno, she is internationally successful in dressage. She never gets bored: besides intensive training, she goes jogging and works with her retriever dog Feline – her assistance dog in training. Which celebrities she would like to train with and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Quokka
Functionality included: accessories for people with disabilities
02.03.2021
Sometimes an outfit is just an outfit – perhaps it’s not terribly exciting or unique, but it does the job. But expressing your individuality from time to time never hurt anyone. How do you showcase your personal style? With the right accessories: a scarf, a belt, or a matching bag. REHACARE.com took a closer look at companies that accommodate the specific needs of people with disabilities.
HomeBraceGermany UG
Sensor glasses: Move the wheelchair independently with your eyes
16.02.2021
The eyes play an important role in everyday communication, for example in recognising facial expressions. But for people with severely limited mobility, the eye makes much more possible: Equipped with the MyEcc Pupil, they can move their power wheelchair or a robotic arm independently. How do the glasses make all this possible? REHACARE.com asked Managing Director Thomas Rosner.
Steven Clarey
Lily Rice – That's how she rolls
10.02.2021
Lily Rice can usually be found at the skatepark, refining her WCMX techniques in her pink wheelchair. The training is paying off: Lily entered the scene in 2017, two years later she was Women's World Champion. It was only logical that her biggest challenge to date was in the halfpipe – what it was, who motivates her and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Ines Zeifert
Lilli Zeifert – That's how she rolls
27.01.2021
Lilli Zeifert has already seen a lot of the world. Perhaps that's why her great love is for what there is still to discover beyond the Earth: Whatever there is to find out about astrophysics – Lilli wants to know. Who she thinks are the smartest minds of all time, what she would like to discuss with them and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Lucia Titkova
Evelyn Brezina – That's how she rolls
13.01.2021
Vienna from a wheelchair perspective – this is how Evelyn Brezina captures all the beauty in her surroundings in her photos. Because she really loves taking pictures. What assistive devices she would like to have for this passion, who she would like to ask as many questions as possible and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Jakob Gsöllpointner/MOB Industries
Fashion by MOB Industries: "Inclusion means to truly embrace all body types"
16.07.2020
Fashion without barriers – that’s the mission of Viennese-based startup MOB Industries (German: Mode Ohne Barrieren, hence the abbreviation MOB). How has the coronavirus outbreak affected the company’s latest collection and how do functionality and aesthetics go hand in hand? REHACARE.com asked MOB founder and CEO Josefine Thom.
WheelAir
WheelAir: No more overheating for wheelchair users
30.01.2020
Overheating is a serious issue for people who use a wheelchair. Ice packs and water sprays used to help many of them in order to keep cool. But Corien Staels, Founder & Managing Director of WheelAir, wanted to find a technological solution for the problem of overheating. Since then the WheelAir concept is about to change lives.
Munevo GmbH
"Smart technology opportunities can make it easier to live a self-determined life"
23.08.2018
Controlling an electric wheelchair by using smart glasses? Smart glasses like munevo Drive make this a reality. Visitors have a chance to check them out in person at this year’s REHACARE trade fair. Konstantin Madaus from the startup company Munevo looks back on the previous trade show presence and invites everyone to join him at his company’s booth again this year.
Isabel Keane – That's how she rolls
22.11.2017
For the 20-year old Isabel Keane one way to express herself are her stylish wheel covers, created by her sister. But the covers to beautify her wheelchair are not the only reason how Ailbhe influenced her younger sister. Why Isabel looks up to her creative sister, what she wants to accomplish but has not done until now and what she wants to be known for, she tells at REHACARE.com.
"Comprehensive accessibility would benefit all of us"
12.02.2015
What is it like when you have to manage everyday life in a wheelchair? And what effects do age-related limitations have on mobility? Interested parties can experience this with the help of a wheelchair course and an age simulation suit. REHACARE.com spoke with Hedwig Reiffs from the Self-Help Organization of Physically Disabled Persons Bonn, who recently attended this kind of adventure day.