Better Postural Support and Stability

In the summer of 2006, I volunteered with VARILITE for a project and was able to try out all of the cushions and had the opportunity to be pressure mapped. That is when I discovered the Meridian™ cushion, and the instant change in the way I sat in my wheelchair was significant due to how much postural support the cushion gave me. Having better postural support prevents me from sliding around in my wheelchair while propelling.

So here it is the summer of 2007, and I am now the Marketing Manager for VARILITE. I have been using the Meridian cushion and the Talon™ backrest on my wheelchair, and I am experiencing very noticeable differences in my quality of life now that I have a complete VARILITE postural support seating system that works for me. It is even easier now pushing up hills. Recently, I beat a friend of mine up a huge hill. It had nothing to do with the fact that I was stronger than him, the difference is I had a better postural support system that kept me stable in my wheelchair. When he propelled up the hill, he slid around in his wheelchair when he pushed, like I used too. We even have the same wheelchair. Dancing is also a lot easier now because I used to lose my balance due to limited trunk control, but now I control my wheelchair, the wheelchair doesn’t control me.

Being a wheelchair user I know that everyone’s situation is different when it comes to seating and positioning. I have tried out different wheelchairs, cushions, and backrests. Although these are my personal experiences that I am sharing, it is still crucial for end users to be advocates, be educated, see a seating therapist, and make the best decision when it comes to the way they sit in their wheelchair. My wheelchair and the way I sit in it affects my quality of life, and I want to make sure I sit as comfortably as possible.

~Tammy Wilber, VARILITE Marketing Representative

For more information about VARILITE's Meridian dual-chambered cushion, follow this link
RESNA 2007 Meridian Presentation

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Improved Stability and Ease of Use

Every once in a while you get lucky and find a product that exceeds your expectations. The VARILITE Evolution PSV™ cushion is just such a product.

I recently went on a safari in South Africa, in a camp out in the middle of no man’s land, where everything has thorns or teeth. In preparing for the trip I made sure that all of my equipment was rugged and reliable to survive the rigors of the environment. There was one thing that troubled me, and that was the air-only cushion I had been using which had developed another leak.

Luckily, I met someone from VARILITE just before the trip who recommended I try an Evolution PSV. It was so much easier and more stable right from the start. It has a self-adjusting pressure setting valve instead of a separate pump. The valve worked flawlessly with all the altitude and temperature changes which affect air pressure. And there were no leaks, which has been a constant problem for me with the air-only cushion and my active lifestyle.

The comfort of the cushion is even better than my former cushion, especially because of the foam that adds so much more stability.

Thanks for making my life easier and better, VARILITE!
--Doug

DISCLAIMER:
VARILITE products are designed to distribute pressure away from sensitive areas and used as part of a comprehensive pressure management program. Persons with existing decubitus ulcers should seek advice and/or care from a physician or other qualified health care provider.

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News from our Danish Distributor

"I would like to report a very good trial with a VARILITE product. On Thursday I visited a big clinic for clients with polio and trauma from traffic accidents. One client had developed decubitus within a matter of months while sitting on a cushion made from air packets. He was then given an air-only cushion. After many more months his decubitus disappeared. Although his decubitus disappeared, he had poor balance and was not seated properly.

I noticed his pelvis was asymmetric. The staff was hesitant to change cushions again because it took so long to find a good one for him. I asked them to pressure map the air-only cushion and a VARILITE Evolution PSV™ cushion with the wedge.

The pressure mapping was nearly identical and his positioning was much better on the Evolution PSV. The staff was also impressed with the PSV. It was a great experience!"