Customer Stories

Hope’s standing story is unique, because she can walk using her walker and doesn’t require a wheelchair for mobility. Hope was diagnosed at a very young age with Opitz C Syndrome, a genetic random anomaly that tends to affect the bones and ligaments in the body. Hope uses a standing frame to lengthen the muscles and tendons in her legs as she grows so that she can maintain her walking ability.

Deana Watson finally found the perfect standing frame for her son Max, but getting to that point wasn’t easy. She explains, “He had really terrifying responses to other standers that he had to be held down to get strapped into. In his Bantam he can sit for a few minutes before standing. It is the only way he will cooperate in a stander.” After finding the right stander she was determined to get insurance to cover the cost and now Max is enjoying the benefits!

Hamza has a more involved disability, so the staff at Normandy Park Education Center transfers him into the EasyStand Bantam in the supine flat-to-load position. Since changing positions is easy in the Bantam, he can get more standing time in each day (stand for 15 minutes, rest in seated or supine for 5, stand again). Both his PT and Nurse integrate standing into everyday routines and have seen the physical and cognitive benefits.

Anyone who has ever walked through the doors of The Fairview MS Achievement Center will agree that it is a successful program comprised of a caring staff and a unique group of members. “We have forty members registered to come here everyday. They call themselves members of the community. They don’t want to be called patients, but members, that is really special!” Says Cathy Tobias, MS Center Director.

I have been in a chair for nearly two decades and as I look at it, I have never stopped standing on my own two feet. Standing is not the ability to put one foot in front of the other and walk across a room; it is more a factor of still being able to enjoy the benefits of seeing the world through the eyes of a guy who is well over six feet tall when I am in my standing frame.

Alan takes us back to 1976 to tell the story of what led up to the design of the EasyStand. He talks about his life before and after his car accident, experiences as a quadriplegic in rehab, at college, and starting his own business. Alan remembers back 20 years when his baby, the EasyStand standing frame was born.

Before starting her freshman year of high school, Tiffiny Carlson was injured in a diving accident. At first she had trouble dealing with this major change and was unsure what life had in store for her. Now she is a successful writer and lives life to the fullest. She has been standing in her EasyStand since 1994, “The best thing I can say to people out there who are curious as to why they should even stand, if they can't walk: Because you'll feel energized and happier afterwards!”

It was 1973, Patrick Madsen was working as a motion picture stuntman. He was assigned to double William Shatner in the movie “X-Factor”. During the stunt Patrick’s bike overshoot his mark, when he landed he broke his back. Patrick began standing in rehab thirty-five years ago. Now he stands at least four times a week for an hour or more in his Evolv Glider, which he named Hercules because it, “Brings out the warrior in me!” Patrick explains, “I feel standing is one of the main reasons that I am in such good health after so many years post injury.”

On December 28, 1985, Scott Chesney awoke to a numb big toe on his left foot. Forty-eight hours later, that numbness traveled up his left leg, then right leg, and left him paralyzed from T-7 and down. Now almost 25 years later, Scott is successful and healthy. He has a wonderful family and owns his own company. Scott stays active using his EasyStand Evolv, “Standing is one of many activities that I can do on my own, knowing full well that it is improving my quality of life. Standing has greatly contributed to my overall happiness and good health.”

My name is Jenni Taylor and I am 22 years old. On November 1, 2002 I was in a car accident. I broke my neck at C1-C2 and injured my spinal cord. I am a quadriplegic paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe for me. My independence is lost but my spirit is still here. I feel as though this happened for a reason and that I am able to make a difference.

Ryan Kane is like any other eight year old kid; he goes to school, plays sports and spends time with his friends and family. He just does some of these things a little differently because he has Cerebral Palsy. Ryan started standing at age one. Standing therapy helps him build the strength he needs to do the many different activities that he loves! Watch Ryan's Customer Story Video

In 2006 Matt Courson was in his sophomore year of college and a former pitcher on the university’s baseball team, when he was injured in a four-wheeling accident. “I was told by my doctor that I had a 99% chance of never walking again or ever recovering. I always believed I had that 1% chance, and that 1% was the motivation to fuel my recovery,” Matt remembers. Since that day Matt has been determined to do whatever he can to walk again, including standing.

In May of 1982, at the young age of 25, Cesca started feeling numbness in her hands and feet. After three years of hospital visits and tests, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her MS progressed to the point where she was either in a wheelchair or a bed 24/7. Having that third option of standing and being able to stand directly from her wheelchair, is important to her.

Jadian Foley, a T-5 paraplegic, explains life with a spinal cord injury and the benefits he gets from using a standing frame. Jadian uses his stander while woodworking and target shooting, and stands for 4 hours a day. Watch Jadian's Customer Story Video

Chelsey and her mom, Bonnie, explain life with a brain injury and a T8 spinal cord injury, from going through rehab at Mayo to standing an hour a day at home! Even though Chelsey uses a wheelchair for mobility, she uses a stander for the physical and psychological benefits. Since her therapist wrote a detailed letter of medical necessity, Chelsey got the stander paid for through insurance. Watch Chelsey's Customer Story Video

Vicki Price is an active sixteen year old high school student. She was born with Cerebral Palsy and has very limited use of her arms and legs. She likes standing in her EasyStand. Her father Scott comments, "Victoria likes to change her position, she actually asks to use her stander!" Vicki’s therapy program includes standing for one hour or more each day at home. Watch Vicki's Customer Story Video

On January 13, 2006, at about 2:00 am I was leaving a motorcycle function on my 2001 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300RR when I realized I was being followed very closely. My tire was clipped and I was in an accident that rendered me a T4-6 paraplegic. My Evolv Glider stander was paid for through my VA Hospital, through my prior military service. I was able to attend the 2007 Veteran's Wheelchair Games just one year after my injury where I brought home two Silver Medals!

East Coast Rehab is run by brothers John and David Buchbach, who both have Becker's Muscular Dystrophy. They also have two other employees who have a disability. At East Coast Rehab, the customer comes first, David explains, "We strive to provide our clients with the best service possible. Having experience as end-users gives us more insight on how beneficial it is to use products, like the EasyStand standing frame. Standing helps me stay mobile by keeping me stretched out and preventing any pressure problems from sitting down all the time, so I know it can do the same for others."

Capri Eckonen is a happy nine year old girl who loves listening to music and being in the water. She was born with Cerebral Palsy and other medical conditions, but remains very healthy. This is due in large part to having proactive grandparents who take great care of her and provide her the equipment that she needs. Capri has an EasyStand Magician and stands at both home and school.

"I always had a positive outlook on life, so when I got injured, I hit the ground rolling, Eric says. "In an unprecedented move for Blue Cross they split the cost of the EasyStand with us. They paid for the Evolv unit, and we paid for the Glider option." Eric stands about four times a week for 90-120 minutes each.

Craig is and always has been an avid skier and outdoor activity enthusiast. During his second skiing season in Colorado, an accident left him paralyzed. Craig still skis more than 75 days per season, stays active participating in sports, and enjoys traveling regularly. "Standing helps keep my legs straight, allowing me to participate in more sports at a higher competitive level," Craig explains.

At the age of one, Krissy had a stroke and suffered from poor health for many years. She was adopted by a loving family and eventually she was able to start a standing program. Now, she has been standing for seventeen years, on her second EasyStand, and happier and healthier then ever.

The staff at NVTC has figured out the perfect way to get standing time in for their clients by working it into normal day to day activities. Terri Davis, PT at NVTC explains, "The EasyStand programs are integrated into the daily routine: music group, movie time, 'strolling' down the hall to pet therapy, taking a ride on the elevator, etc. There are some lucky individuals who even get to stand at their off site 'workshop'."

Barbara was glad she took the initiative to purchase the stander on her own because getting Medicare to pay for her stander was not easy. She appealed four times and finally received payment. She remarks, "With my last appeal my family doctor wrote a very strong letter of support."

"I want to stay healthy in case there is a medical breakthrough, because you never know," Mike says hopefully. Now that he has an EasyStand, he revolves standing with weight lifting and using his cardiovascular exercise bike. His plan for staying healthy is to do one of these three activities every evening.

"From when Karly wakes up in the morning, to when she goes to bed at night, she is holding her breath and hyperventilating," Karly's mom Lois says. "The only time Karly is not holding her breath is when she is in her EasyStand stander, or with her miniature horse."

Through the support of a caring family, friends, and a top notch employer, Jeff continues to live a healthy, successful, and enjoyably slower lifestyle. "Before my accident I worked twelve hours and hit the gym for two hours a day. Now, I only work about nine hours and stand for one to two hours. I even take time for lunch!"

I have had the goal of writing a book about my experiences as a paraplegic and a professional working with spinal cord injured folks. I set the goal that when I stood I would write. To date, I have finished the initial 10 chapters as I stood up and have kept that promise to myself.

It gives me a sense of freedom from my chair and a sense of pride that I can still stand even though I can't walk with crutches anymore. It's really neat to be able to look people in the eye when you're talking with them rather than having them look down at you because you're sitting.

Ultimately, I want to focus on wholeness, not just on movement above my level of injury, and that is what I have done using the Glider...I believe that I will walk again one day. I am focused on standing up and moving as much and as often as I can.

A freak accident with a screwdriver caused a staph infection that rendered David Helmuth a T5-6 paraplegic. Convinced that some day Dave could walk again, his Physical Therapist got him into extensive therapy that included 45 minutes of daily standing in an EasyStand standing frame. Dave is now able to walk with a cane.

As a registered nurse for twenty-two years and Ms. Wheelchair Illinois 2002, Theresa Temborius knows the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle. She was in a sledding accident, and is now a T-12, L1 paraplegic who stays active by swimming, hand cycling, and gardening.

As a defensive end for the Miami Dolphins for over ten years and two Super Bowls, Doug Betters knows the importance of staying in shape. He comments, "Staying healthy improves your overall attitude and general well being."

Richard Sabb works as a cold food chef at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay where he prepares garnishes for salads, fruits, tuna, potato and chicken salad. He uses the EasyStand 5000 for positioning and mobility in his work, as it is important for a cook to be higher than their workstations.