The E-Fix, the multi-talented device
Author
Mechthild and Christian Spreckels, as published in Alpha1 Journal 2/2017
Since my husband often needs a wheelchair and I can no longer push him in difficult situations (e.g., uphill), we were looking for a suitable solution. Luckily, I found a competent advisor at a medical supply store. He recommended an E-Fix. The very next day, a representative from Alber GmbH came and demonstrated the E-Fix. He also mentioned that the existing wheelchair could be retrofitted.
The consultant at the medical supply store helped me with the application for reimbursement of costs by the health insurance company.
My husband can switch off the two motors, each located in one of the wheels, and use the wheelchair as a walker. This allows him to continue exercising his muscles. When he can no longer walk (after about 50 to 100 meters), he sits in the wheelchair, switches the motors back on, and can then control the speed and direction with the joystick. In addition, there is an innovative attendant control on a rear handle. This allows me to push him with the assistance of the motors if he is unable to manage on his own.
I can load the wheelchair into the car on my own. We're lucky that our existing wheelchair is very light and foldable. After the conversion, I only need to remove the two wheels. That's not difficult at all. I can also remove the battery, which only weighs 2 kg, with a single movement. This makes it easy to store the wheelchair in the car. We highly recommend this aid. We haven't regretted it for a moment. Finally, we're mobile again!
Mechthild and Christian Spreckels, as appeared in Alpha1 Journal 2/2017.
