Wheelchair comfort: the experience of Gert-Jan Oskam
For Gert-Jan Oskam, an active user of O4 Wheelchairs, his old wheelchair felt like walking all day in shoes that were two sizes too small. Because of this, proper wheelchair comfort was missing. “It was simply too painful to get through the day. In the morning, I didn’t feel like getting out of bed because I knew I had to sit in that chair again. And in the evening, I couldn’t wait to go back to bed.” As a result, pain and fatigue controlled his daily life and limited what he could do.
Less pain thanks to better wheelchair comfort Since using an O4 wheelchair, Gert-Jan immediately feels the difference. His wheelchair comfort has improved significantly. “I have much less back pain, and my lower back feels far more relaxed while sitting.” Because of this, his body no longer needs to compensate constantly. In addition, this not only reduces physical strain but also brings mental calm.
Why wheelchair comfort really matters For Gert-Jan, the biggest difference is adjustability. “The adjustable seat and backrest change everything. I can adapt my position to what I’m doing.” For example, while cooking, he raises the seat slightly to see into the pan. When watching TV, he chooses a more relaxed position. As a result, there is almost no pressure on the front wheels. Therefore, it feels like he is floating through the house. The wheelchair moves incredibly lightly, which clearly shows how important wheelchair comfort is.
More energy through wheelchair comfort Better wheelchair comfort has made a real difference in his daily life. “I now go to bed because it’s time to sleep, not because my back can’t handle it anymore.” Because of this, he has more energy and can stay active longer. Moreover, his day is no longer controlled by pain but by what he wants to do.
Still unsure about wheelchair comfort? Gert-Jan has a clear message. “Before I discovered O4, I had never heard of adjustable seating angles or backrests.” Now, he cannot understand why non-adjustable wheelchairs still exist. After twelve years of pain and discomfort, he finally experiences real wheelchair comfort. “They may not make it easier, but they definitely make it more comfortable”
