News

As Millions Flee, Disabled Ukrainians Forced to Fend for Themselves 

“There is no communication in the city. Light, water, gas are missing. Temperature in apartment is on the edge of 10-12 degrees,” wrote wheelchair user Uliana Pcholkina as her home outside of Kyiv, Ukraine, faced shelling from Russian forces. Uliana and her husband, Vitalii, are two of an estimated 2.7 million people with disabilities in Ukraine. Many now face brutal conditions brought on by the invasion, an unfolding humanitarian crisis, and international organizations’ failure to account for the needs of disabled Ukrainians. 

Products

Alber e-fix Eco Converts Your Manual Wheelchair Into a Power Chair 

The Alber e-fix Eco is an add-on electric drive system that transforms a manual chair into a power chair. The drive system comprises a joystick, battery pack and in-wheel motors. The unit offers a top speed of 3.75 mph and a maximum range of 10 miles per charge. 

A Hill- and Stair-Stopping Wheelchair Brake  

These new brakes from the Slovenian startup DEZZIV are intended to make it easier to go up and down slopes and, for those who are strong enough, to make pulling oneself up a flight of stairs easier. Mike Franz gave the automatic stopping capabilities a real-world test and found both positives and negatives to this innovative braking system.  

Your Input

Nominate Leaders with SCI/D

As part of its #StrongWheeled Together campaign, United Spinal Association will be hosting a member awards event in November to recognize leaders and emerging talent from the SCI/D community. Click here for more info and to submit your nominations.

Tell Us Your Story Ideas 

We want to know what you’d like to read about in New Mobility. Please take this three-question survey to let us know what stories you want us to cover, what questions we can answer and anything you’d like to share. 

Pro Tips

Totally Normal Power Wheelchair Hacks 

Dan Payton has hacked just about every type of power wheelchair you can think of on his YouTube channel, Totally Normal. We dive into a few of his mods – building a $91 off-road conversion, using a Honda Generator to add some range to his batteries and reprogramming a Permobil F3 for increased performance. He also gives advice on where to get started on your own power wheelchair hacks. Rule No. 1: “Just make sure you’re not using your only chair.” 

Wheeling and DME Dealing 

Across North America, we found wheelchair users running their own DME businesses that sell everything from recreational equipment to everyday chairs to elite sporting equipment. Here’s how these dealers are using their personal experience and hard-won knowledge to help get people into equipment that’s the right fit for their bodies and lifestyles.  

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