Even just going through a parking lot is fun!
Omeo user Gretchen is an accomplished artist who has been living with paralysis (L-1) as the result of a car accident in 1992. After experiencing the very many benefits of the Omeo, Gretchen tells us how much she loves her Omeo and explains why it was an easy decision for her to become an Omeo agent in the Los Angeles region.
In Gretchen’s own words – “I can now do so many things that I couldn’t do before, such as going on hiking trails and across grassy parks with ease. I can now walk the dog while holding the leash instead of having to wedge it under my leg. Gliding around a party with a drink in my hand is easy. Carrying bags in my hand as I go down the street, pushing a shopping cart, and even a small thing like putting my credit card back into my purse as I am leaving a cash register, rather than having to sit there and get everything back in before I can push myself out of the line.
I feel like I have had a healing of sorts since last September when I first got my Omeo…I am no longer struggling, and I will never stop appreciating that.”
Gretchen
As a wheelchair user of 27 years, I feel like I have had a healing of sorts since last September when I first got my Omeo. I was recently talking with another user, (he is a c 6-7 complete quadriplegic) and we were expressing that it is just fun to use – everywhere, even after so many months – it is just so fun to ride around on! He explained it like this, “If you can remember back to when you first learned to ride a bike and got the training wheels off, and you first felt the freedom and excitement of riding down the street. Just being free and on your own…that’s what it’s like.” That truly is what it is like – that exhilaration. Even just going through a parking lot is fun! Because I love riding the Omeo around I find myself happy to park far away from my destinations and I no longer care how far away things are!
I am no longer struggling, and I will never stop appreciating that. I have logged over 300 miles on it and I’m getting better and better at using it. I just love this machine so much, it’s incredible, I am so grateful”.