VOCSN grants me the liberating feeling of not being hindered by a lot of medical equipment, which makes it that much easier to choose to do whatever activities I want.
Despite the fact that I am in a wheelchair and on a ventilator, I am deeply committed to being healthy and fit. "How do you manage that?" you may ask. Like many things, the most basic answer comes down to frame of mind and actively choosing to make it a priority. You may think for someone in my situation, that diet is the only true means of controlling health and fitness. In actuality, it is a very small part of how I stay fit.
The first, and one of the most important, things I do is a diligent range of motion exercises twice daily, first thing every morning when I wake up and before I go to bed. This has kept me from getting contractures, allowing me to be easily moved into whatever positions I want and need to be in, and has helped control spasticity.
I also ride a functional electrical stimulation (FES) bicycle several times a week. Additionally, I go to physical therapy, get massages, use a tilt table for weight-bearing, and a small electrical stimulation unit to strengthen various muscle groups throughout my body. The commitment to staying in shape may be important for everyone, but, I have found that it is not only more crucial, but also demanding for those using a wheelchair.
VOCSN makes engaging in all of these activities easier. Its portable size and efficient battery make it possible to tuck it into whatever tight quarters are required by my exercise or therapy. The integration of therapies also allows me to easily maintain all of the medical support I need in a single device, as opposed to being concerned about several machines. VOCSN grants me the liberating feeling of not being hindered by a lot of medical equipment, which makes it that much easier to choose to do whatever activities I want. My only hindrance is my own creativity!
The views expressed by Loa are not necessarily the view of the Ventec Life Systems, its members or the clinical board. These blog posts are the personal experiences of Loa. The blog posts are not intended to provide clinical advice or training related to VOCSN. Always consult a physician or trained clinician prior to using VOCSN. Please refer to the VOCSN Clinical and Technical Manual for detailed instructions, including indications and contraindications for use. VOCSN is available by prescription only.