Getting around the family home hasn’t always been easy for 33-year-old Zachary, who lives with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. His wheelchair was five years old and showing signs of wear. A steep driveway at home also made it hard for his mum to help him safely, so Zachary often couldn’t get to the part of the house where the family spent time together.
Now, with a new wheelchair that better suits his needs, Zachary can move between different areas of his home more easily, and his family is already looking forward to more adventures together.
Finding the right fit
Replacing a wheelchair isn’t always as simple as choosing a newer model. A proper mobility assessment needs to happen to ensure it suits the person’s mobility needs, daily routines and their home. Zachary needed something that offered more comfort and support. He also needed a chair that made it safer and easier for his mum to assist him around the house.
With support from his Better Rehab physiotherapist, Zachary trialled several options. Funding was secured for a Ki Mobility Liberty tilt-in-space wheelchair with an Alber e-fix power assist.
More time where the family gathers
The biggest change has been at home. His mum can now help him up and down the driveway safely, so Zachary can join in family activities and spend more time where everyone gathers. Moving between these areas is no longer the struggle it was for his mum, and everyday routines are easier for them both.
Zachary and his mum are delighted with the new setup, and it’s easy to see why. Being able to move around the family home more easily has made a meaningful difference to their day-to-day life.
New places to explore
With improved mobility support, Zachary is excited about what comes next, like going on longer walks with his support workers and exploring the local walking trails. These are activities that give him more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, visit new places and spend time in the community.
What began as a much-needed wheelchair replacement has given him new plans and experiences to look forward to.
It’s about more than mobility
Choosing the right wheelchair involves more than finding the right features and a comfortable seat. It also means understanding how the equipment will work in someone’s home and the activities they want to be part of.
In Zachary’s case, the steep driveway and moving around his home was an important consideration. Having a wheelchair that provided the right support while making it easier for his mum to assist him has helped overcome a barrier that was affecting daily family life.
It’s a reminder of how individualised mobility support can make a difference, not just in getting from one place to another, but in helping people take part in the activities and routines that matter to them.
What makes Zachary’s story special isn’t just the new equipment. It’s knowing he can now spend more time where his family gathers, with new places and experiences to look forward to.
And with the many walking trails on the horizon, there’s plenty to be excited about! 💙
If you’d like to learn more about how our physiotherapists work alongside occupational therapists, support workers and families, visit our physiotherapy page. And if you have a participant who could benefit from a physiotherapy review, submit a referral here.