Levi's Corner - the blog of Iron Levi
Hello,
I'm Levi Rijsbrack and I was born in 2002. I have Cerebral Palsy (CP). CP is actually a generic term. It's a condition where you find it harder to move because you can't control your muscles properly. This is due to damage in your brain. That damage usually happened before or during birth. So because I have motor difficulties and I am in a wheelchair, I attend a school for children and young people with disabilities, namely the Dominiek Savio Institute in Belgium.
I used to have a lot of difficulties that I had CP. For example, I was sad that I couldn't go on an indoor playground like other children my age. Now I have resigned myself to that and find that I do have many opportunities in my own way.
Meanwhile, I also have my Levi's Corner here. This is my blog where I regularly write about my experiences, whether at CoMoveIT during my internship, at home or on adventures.
Moving stories
Below, we show pictures, video's and quotes from people with complex movement disorders and people surrounding them. They show the effect of CoMoveIT Smart and express the resulting difference that it actually brings. If you want to test-drive yourself or witness such test as doctor, therapist, parent or supporting family, please reach out through our contact page!
Below, we show pictures, video's and quotes from people with complex movement disorders and people surrounding them. They show the effect of CoMoveIT Smart and express the resulting difference that it actually brings. If you want to test-drive yourself or witness such test as doctor, therapist, parent or supporting family, please reach out through our contact page!
In this video you see a young lady driving her wheelchair with a joystick.
You see her using her arm, waving to hit the joystick in a certain direction. She’s using the tension, searching control of the joystick. She has to use fine motor control for that; something she’s not able to do.
Her current way of driving leads to an asymmetric position and tension, leading to spinal deformities (risk for rotation scoliosis) and pain over time.
Pay particular attention to the stress in the right arm leading to pain in the shoulder. On longer term this might lead to luxation of the shoulder requiring severe medical treatments. Such pain leads to demotivation to drive and thus lower mobility.
Although she’s driving for many years, there is still no smooth driving experience, which is caused by the lack of control.
You see her using her arm, waving to hit the joystick in a certain direction. She’s using the tension, searching control of the joystick. She has to use fine motor control for that; something she’s not able to do.
Her current way of driving leads to an asymmetric position and tension, leading to spinal deformities (risk for rotation scoliosis) and pain over time.
Pay particular attention to the stress in the right arm leading to pain in the shoulder. On longer term this might lead to luxation of the shoulder requiring severe medical treatments. Such pain leads to demotivation to drive and thus lower mobility.
Although she’s driving for many years, there is still no smooth driving experience, which is caused by the lack of control.
In this video you see the same young lady testing the CoMoveIT Smart on a test chair after only 20 minutes.
You notice a very smooth and controlled way of driving, already at a speed level which she herself requested to gear up.
She uses her right foot as gas pedal and steers left and right with the head. Although the involuntary movements are still there, you see how the smart algorithm makes smooth driving and full control possible in a very short time period.
She has a good symmetrical position in the chair, her arms are no longer waving around. Thanks to the function of her feet, she accepts the straps that keep her legs at ease as well.
Her control is very high, clearly leading to a fun experience for her.
You notice a very smooth and controlled way of driving, already at a speed level which she herself requested to gear up.
She uses her right foot as gas pedal and steers left and right with the head. Although the involuntary movements are still there, you see how the smart algorithm makes smooth driving and full control possible in a very short time period.
She has a good symmetrical position in the chair, her arms are no longer waving around. Thanks to the function of her feet, she accepts the straps that keep her legs at ease as well.
Her control is very high, clearly leading to a fun experience for her.
In this video, you see 4,5-year-old boy for the first time in a powered wheelchair. He’s learning how to drive forward with his right foot and steers left and right with his head. Very soon after hearing a few instructions on how to control the wheelchair, he already got the hold of it. Kids learn fast and it is important to start as young as possible, so they develop spatial awareness as well. Until today he was pushed from point A to point B and now clearly having fun in learning how to move around independently. His involuntary movements are no obstacle for control and smooth driving thanks to smart algorithm of the CoMoveIT Smart.
“Very satisfied to be able to move independently”,
Frederik's testimonial after a few weeks using his CoMoveIT Smart.
"My MS makes it difficult for me to use my hands and operate the joystick of my wheelchair. On 4 October 2022, the Belgian company VIGO equipped my electric wheelchair with CoMoveIT Smart. I now have a pedal that allows me to drive forward or backward with my right foot. To drive forward, I just have to press with my foot. To drive backwards, I press my head on the pressure pad behind my head and simultaneously press the pedal with my foot. The wheelchair stops as soon as I stop pressing with my foot. To the right and left of my head there is also a pressure pad, which I use to turn. At the back of the wheelchair, there is a joystick with which the attendant can steer, if necessary. To operate the display menu, I can press the pad behind my head a little longer without operating the right pedal. By pressing again, I can select the next option on the display. This way, I can turn my TV on and off. I can also control the lights, the direction indicators, the horn and the acceleration of my wheelchair with this."
"Currently, I am practicing under supervision for an hour every day and every day I am improving. For now, driving through a doorway is still a bit more difficult than in a wide corridor. It is especially important that my foot is in the right place on the pedal to operate it smoothly. For now, I still have to concentrate well to control the steering, but with practice I will be able to more intuitively. In any case, I am very satisfied to be able to move independently again."
“I would like to continue to drive on my own”,
confirmed Merel (child with Dyskinetic CP), after she tested with the CoMoveIT Smart system for about 45 minutes.
“I want to keep it!”,
(which did not seem to be a question)
According to Laura, during a recent test of the CoMoveIT Smart system.
Laura is a girl with spastic quadriplegic CP.
“It is remarkable how relaxed he’s driving. Arm and leg muscles are free from tension while he’s driving this system.”,
noticed by Carl, father of Levi, with Dyskinetic CP.
Bart (head of physiotherapy department at Dominiek Savio Belgium):
“I’m surprised how fast and well she learns”,
during a test of CoMoveIT Smart by one of the children at Dominiek Savio
and
“I’m very satisfied!
He uses a lot less force with this CoMoveIT Smart system and uses his tension a lot better.
The system he uses now forces W. to apply his tension to drive, while the CoMoveIT Smart avoids the use of his tension.
This will bring him a lot more calm and rest!”,
after a test of CoMoveIT Smart by an adolescent boy.
Thanks to FIT
for supporting CoMoveIT with our international business
CoMoveIT
Baron Ruzettelaan 5 / 1.1
8310 Assebroek (Bruges) - Belgium
+32 477 880 175