March was a busy month for Mobius Mobility. We recently participated in three events related to serving people with disabilities. The Spina Bifida Association’s annual advocacy day – 2021 Virtual Teal on the Hill Conference, the 2021 Annual Ataxia Conference, and the Abilities Expo/Abilities Virtual Experience. Here’s a little synopsis of what each event was about.
- Spina Bifida Association’s annual advocacy day – 2021 Virtual Teal on the Hill Conference (March 1-5, 2021)
- Key initiatives of this conference were research, disability rights, affordable and accessible health insurance, and medical supplies and technologies.
- Approximately 166,000 individuals in the United States have Spina Bifida. It’s a type of neural tube defect (NTD) that occurs when a baby’s neural tube fails to develop or close properly – the literal meaning for Spina Bifida is “split spine.” Typically occurring within the first 28 days of pregnancy while the neural tube is forming, Spina Bifida often occurs before a woman knows she is pregnant. Commonly referred to as the “snowflake condition” of birth defects because no two cases are the same, Spina Bifida can range from mild to severe. The severity depends on everything from the size of the opening to the location on the spine. Check out the recap of their event here: https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/blog/2021-teal-on-the-hill-recap/
- 2021 Annual Ataxia Conference (AAC) (March 10-13, 2021)
- It’s the largest Ataxia community gathering in the nation. The National Ataxia Foundation, which coordinates the event, is dedicated to improving the lives of persons affected by Ataxia through support, education, and research. For three days, conference attendees met and learned from world-leading Ataxia researchers and clinicians, networked, and reunited with old friends. Hundreds of people – from patients, to caregivers, to medical professionals from all over the world – attended the conference. The location moves each year – providing a broader opportunity for people to attend and travel, although this year’s event was virtual.
- Ataxia is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. Many symptoms of Ataxia mimic those of overconsumption of alcohol, such as slurred speech, stumbling, falling, and incoordination. These symptoms are caused by damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordinating movement. Ataxia treatment involves a combination of medication to treat symptoms and therapy to improve quality of life. People affected by Ataxia may experience problems with using their fingers and hands, arms, or legs; walking; speaking; or moving their eyes. Ataxia affects people of all ages. Age of symptom-onset can vary widely, from childhood to late-adulthood. Complications from the disease are serious and oftentimes debilitating.
- Abilities Expo/Abilities Virtual Experience (March 26-27, 2021)
- Although virtual this year, Abilities Expos are featured annually in eight North American cities. The Expos are free, three-day, all-access passports to the latest products, cutting-edge technology, informative workshops, and adaptive activities with a focus on connecting attendees with disability-focused resources. A wide range of disability-focused issues were addressed.
The common factor in all these events is people. People with an illness or a disability. People who require adaptations to their environment or to tasks so they can participate in daily life activities, including mobility-related activities. People who are involved in providing services.
Mobius Mobility is a durable medical equipment provider. We manufacture the next generation iBOT® Personal Mobility Device (the “iBOT® PMD”). With advanced electronics, sensors, battery technology, and software, the world opens up to you in an iBOT® PMD. Traverse sand, snow, mud, curbs, and inclines with terrain following 4-Wheel Mode. Family day at the beach or hiking trail with friends? You’re in. No curb cut? No problem. Move and interact with others at standing height in Balance Mode. Connect with people at eye level and reach that upper shelf. Use Stair Mode to climb up and down stairs, indoors or out. Climb independently or with the help of a trained assistant, depending on your ability. Use remote mode to load your iBOT® PMD into a van or SUV with fewer or even no modifications. And enjoy the benefits and simplicity of a conventional power wheelchair using Standard Mode for indoor tasks and ADA compliant environments.
REACH. CLIMB. GO. You can do all these things and more in the iBOT® PMD.
