Monika's mobility is limited with her active wheelchair. She therefore needs a second wheelchair with additional electric support from time to time. But it was when she was traveling by car and wanted to cover a longer distance that she reached her limits. That's because then the speedy E-Fix wasn't on board. The new PARAVAN Opel Astra has changed all that - thanks to the side loading aid and the new loading lift for the trunk and E-Fix.
This means that Monika is completely flexible and no longer has to rely solely on her active wheelchair when she is out and about. She has had an E-Fix for a good three years, but she couldn't load it into her old car. If she wanted to travel a longer distance with her family, friends or for work, she had to rely on the help of others. But those days are over. For over a month now, the 46-year-old commercial employee has had a new vehicle with two wheelchair loading aids. Depending on what she wants to do, she can choose the right walking aid and decide for herself.
Monika has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was three years old. Although she can stand up and sit in the car, it was simply no longer possible for her to travel longer distances independently with her active wheelchair, which she urgently needs at home and at work due to its weight and maneuverability. “I can also cover longer distances with the E-Fix. That's a great relief,” says Monika. But unfortunately it didn't fit in the car until now.
The new car is a different world of vehicles for Monika, who has had a driver's license since 2001. The second PARAVAN is now equipped with Space Drive 2, PARAVAN Touch and voice control. A big plus in terms of comfort and safety. “Now I can also operate the heating while driving,” she says happily, as well as the windows and sun visor. She controls her car with a gas/brake slider attached to the door and a joystick for steering with her right hand.
“There are many different loading systems, depending on the individual needs of the customer and the technical requirements,” says Maurice Möritz, mobility consultant at PARAVAN-GmbH. All systems have advantages and disadvantages, sometimes the weight is the limiting factor, sometimes the installation space or individual preference. “We discuss the customer's needs and find the optimum solution.”
In addition to the classic side entry aid, which is usually mounted behind the driver's seat, there are now a variety of options. “This solution is suitable for people who can either transfer themselves in this way or access the driver's seat via a sliding board,” says Möritz. The disadvantage: the rear seat bench can only be used to a limited extent, and weight and space are limited. Another option is to load the vehicle into the trunk. If the customer can still walk to the driver's door themselves, loading lifts can be used to quickly lift the wheelchair into the trunk. The weight of the wheelchair can be up to 120 kg. If only a direct transfer to the driver's seat is possible, the wheelchair can also be easily transported into the trunk using the Robot 3000 loading aid. In this case, the wheelchair is picked up from the driver's door at the touch of a button and loaded into the trunk using a long swivel arm. The tailgate closes automatically. Disadvantage: the trunk is occupied. If you are dependent on the trunk and rear seat bench, you can also transport the wheelchair on the roof. “However, this solution is very rare,” says the mobility expert.
“Now I can get from A to B on the road without help,” says Monika happily. Mobility and independence are an important part of her life. Since 2011, she has covered 88,000 kilometers in her old vehicle, which was still equipped with Space Drive 1. “The car gives me this independence and with the E-Fix I can now also travel longer distances. She was able to travel to Lake Constance for her first vacation in the new Opel. “I was really pleased to be able to get to grips with the new, advanced technology on the long journey. “Everything worked great and the journey was fun!” says Monika. When she arrived, she didn't have to find someone to lift the E-Fix out of the car, but was able to unload it herself. Even a small suitcase fitted into the trunk. “It was a great vacation and my new car with the conversion made a lot of things easier,” she says happily.
