Durability
“Vibration, bouncing and stress have all been linked to pain, spasticity, and fatigue levels…”
In 2008, the US Department of Veterans Affairs evaluated titanium manual wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA standards. Twelve wheelchairs from the three major manufacturers were put through fatigue tests designed to mimic normal wear and tear. Less than 40% survived (click here for report).
Which got us to thinking about the 250 lb wooden dummies used during these tests. If normal wear and tear ripped apart some of the best made chairs from our competition, what effects would it have on the dummy. After all, vibration, bouncing and stress have all been linked to pain, spasticity, and fatigue levels.
That's why we designed dual independent suspension into our Marvel Wheelchair. The rear suspension incorporates a mountain bike air shock. a shock can be inflated to accommodate for body weight, In addition it has adjustable dampening and rebound.... meaning you can control how fast the chair absorbs shocks and rebounds back into position. And the front suspension smoothly accommodates for uneven surfaces.
For the able bodied therapists and insurance case workers reading this... imagine replacing your current office chair with a hard-tail fixed position chair... no pneumatics, no recline... and if you cannot imaging the fatigue you will feel at day's end, we suggest you give it a try for a week. If you do, we suspect you will never again prescribe or fund another chair without suspension.
Because while these tests use 250lb dummies that do not feel pain, our riders are made of flesh and blood.
