Wicklow man’s life transformed by standing wheelchair

A Wicklow man has said his life has been transformed by a wheelchair the allows him to stand.

It is just one of several revolutionary technologies that will be on display at the European Seating Symposium which is being held in Dublin by the Central Remedial Clinic on 19 June.

Gary Smith, 59, from Greystones, Co Wicklow, was in a horse-riding accident in 1998 which left him quadriplegic.

For the past 26 years he has been running his motor business in Sallynoggin, Dublin, while using a traditional wheelchair.

However, two years ago, he began using a standing chair, which he says has transformed his life both professionally and personally.

“I can now stand up whenever I want to, and I can look at customers’ cars at the same elevation that they’re looking at,” Mr Smith said.

“Just seeing people’s reaction when you do stand-up is great.

“When you go to the wedding people aren’t looking down at you, you’re up at the same height as them and you are part of the social event as it should be instead do being the guy in the wheelchair.”

The standing wheelchair also means Mr Smith can now look his adult children, both now in their 20s, in the eye.

“My son said to me when he saw me in the standing position – first of all a major shock in his face – and then he said ‘Dad, I didn’t know you were taller than me’ which was quite emotional I suppose,” he said.

Mr Smith began using the standing chair following as assessment with the Central Remedial Clinic.

They said the specialised seating brings many benefits to the health of their users.

Cathy Doherty, Senior Occupational Therapist at the Assistive Technology & Specialised Seating Department in the CRC, said: “The main differences that we’re finding are between their digestive health, their bone density, their muscle strength and then also being able to reduce the risk of pressure sores.

“We never stay in one position during the day, and we change our position so many times that its unfair and I suppose undignified to ask somebody to sit for the majority of their day if there is a piece of equipment out there that is clinically appropriate for them.”

Next week the CRC is hosting the European Seating Symposium in Dublin.

It Is the ninth year the event which is designed to showcase this kind of technology.

Research on the use of specialised seating, wheeled mobility and assistive technology will also be presented at the event which runs in the Trinity Business School from 19-21 June.