User story by ibot® PMD User Darcy Quimby
“Nobody puts Baby in the corner.”
As a Dirty Dancing fan, I use this quote to describe how the ibot® PMD has transformed my life.
Before the ibot®, I often felt isolated and overlooked. Even in groups, it was hard to truly join conversations because people naturally look at others at eye-level. In Balance Mode, the ibot® allows me to meet people face-to-face, making interactions easier and more meaningful.
In my old chair, you might’ve though, “Why would you feel isolated? Your chair allows you to go out and about in groups and you’re always around people and talking.” With my previous chair, it’s true, I could get out, but having conversations was difficult. I often felt invisible. When you feel unseen, at least in my experience, you start to withdraw from participating in discussions.
I challenge you to ask yourself, how often are you looking down when speaking to someone? Probably not often! It’s simply human nature to want to look someone in the eyes. While unintentionally overlooked, it was frustrating. Sometimes I wanted to shout, See me! Hear me! Look down here, I’m talking! Please, don’t ignore me!
Everything changed when I first joined a conversation with my ibot® in Balance Mode. I was finally on everyone’s level and was able to talk to others eye-to-eye. It was liberating. I finally felt like I was perceived the same as everyone else.
Introducing my ibot® in conversations always draws mixed reactions. Some worry about me falling when it transitions, while others wonder how the chair stays upright. Still, others genuinely appreciate that this technology helps people fit in. The comment I hear most often is that using my ibot® must make me feel so free. I love being able to make eye contact, it’s truly been wonderful for my mental health.
For me, having genuine, eye-to-eye conversations is the best part of Balance Mode. A close second is how it helps in crowds where people are moving fast and not watching where they’re going. My claustrophobia can kick in, but my ibot® helps me avoid feeling trapped and reduces the likelihood of being bumped into.
My ibot® opens a new world of possibilities through its different modes while also helping my mental health and engagement with others.
