The life experience of about 65 million individuals worldwide is heavily affected by a severe mobility impairment. In the USA, mobility is the most prevalent form of disability, affecting nearly 5% of the population. Causes range from stroke, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy, diabetes and natural aging. These conditions are often a reason for using a wheelchair on a daily basis which is commonly associated with a loss of independence in daily life activities. [1]
Those numbers show that there is a huge need for better solutions than a wheelchair for several reason such as:
- Developing shoulder pain and problems because of using a wheelchair year after year
- Loss of Bone Density due to the lack of load on the bone structures
- Shortening of the tendons and ligaments and restricted movement
- Muscle loss
- Higher risk of getting fractures
- etc.
In this chapter we want to show options and possibilities which can help having a better and hopefully healthier Mobility in the wheelchair and out of it.