Ventus

Kim Elena has spina bifida, is a wheelchair user and is studying social sciences: “I was born with spina bifida. I grew up in the countryside. Things were simpler there. Now I’m living in the city, and of course that was a big adjustment at first. There are considerably more barriers, many buildings are not wheelchair accessible and you often have to figure out how to get in first. But my fellow students are always there to help me. I find that very positive. After all, life is still very much about overcoming barriers, also in terms of interacting with other people. Many people need support, and that’s what made me decide to study social sciences.

Besides, a wheelchair can also be a barrier, more of an obstacle than a help. I have used many wheelchairs in my life, and some of them were very uncomfortable. Other people used to decide for me in the past, but now I choose for myself. The sitting quality and optimal adaptation are crucial for me. You can really tell after spending the first day in a wheelchair. And you actually notice it as soon as you sit in the wheelchair. Right away, basically. That’s how it is.”

Kevin has partial paraplegia after an occupational accident. He is a wheelchair user, ski racer, wakeboarder, handbiker and kitesurfer: “I started out with a disability. As a young boy, I had to wear a cast for two and a half years because my hip joint was damaged. Then I had to use an exercise machine and couldn’t take part in physical education until I was 14. After that I cut loose and made up for everything in sports. I proved that I can do it. In 2002 I had an accident. I was working on a roof when I broke through the scaffolding and fell ten metres. I’ve been a paraplegic since then. At the time, I soon asked myself: Are you going to let this keep bothering you? No, I told myself, and rose to the challenge.

I fought, and all I did was win. I became a ski racer and was on the national team at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Turin. I’m certain that you can take an active part in life. You just have to want it. My wheelchair has to stand up to that. Even if it’s not permanently welded, it should drive almost as if it was. Stability is crucial, it’s the most important thing. It has to be as robust as I am. After all, my motto is: A wheelchair user feels no pain!”

Marianne has hereditary spastic spinal paralysis, uses a wheelchair and travels the world: “Since 2006, my disability has been so severe that I need a wheelchair. At first, I was very worried about depending on others for help, being isolated and alone. The opposite is true. Of course I need help, but I get that whenever I need it. You have to be determined, you have to pay attention, but there are so many services available that most of the time you are well looked after. Actually, there are real advantages when travelling, because people with disabilities get preferential treatment.

There has been tremendous progress in medical treatment and with devices as well. A modern wheelchair has much better technology today than just a few years ago. For me, the first impression is often what matters when choosing a wheelchair. I have to like a wheelchair right away. After all, if you can’t walk properly, you shouldn’t have to sit in an ugly wheelchair as well, right?
For me, comfortable sitting is really the most important thing. A wheelchair has to feel like it was made for me. You notice it while driving. If it’s lightweight and manoeuvrable, I feel that I’m getting the support I need and am much more comfortable.”

René, who has tetraplegia after a traffic accident, has been a wheelchair user for years and works at Ottobock: “My job is testing wheelchairs. I have over 20 years of experience as a user, so I can assess their quality and driving characteristics precisely. Ottobock’s offer of a job in the Human Mobility division here in Königsee, Thuringia, was perfect for me. It lets me actively help myself and everyone else who has a similar disability. I think that’s great, and my colleagues are really accepting. I’ve been driving the Ventus for four months now, having tested it from day one.

Development work focused on consistently lightweight construction and a compact design from the outset. Ideally, a lightweight design means a lower weight – by using aluminum, for example, or by reducing the thickness of the tube walls and materials while simultaneously optimising stability. With the Ventus, we maximised the overall weight reductions that can be achieved by taking this approach and by creating the most compact design possible. Today, I’m using a rigid frame wheelchair for active use that makes as much wheelchair as necessary from as little material as possible. This wheelchair makes the process of getting into and out of the car four times a day easy. And anyone who’s done it knows the difference that one kilogram more or less makes. For me, the Ventus sets the standard in every respect, especially in its price segment. I also think it looks really good with its streamlined design.”