Jean was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis while in her early 20s. She briefly used a rollator walker and basic power wheelchair, but experienced a decline in functional mobility due to an exacerbation at age 30. She moved into a skilled nursing facility when she was 34 due to increasing care needs. She continued to lose function of her upper extremities and was dependent for all mobility using a reclining manual wheelchair. Jean had to be pushed everywhere that she wanted to go, until vocational rehab initiated procurement of a power wheelchair for her.
Jean initially thought she would need to use a sip and puff system to control a power wheelchair because she was unable to use her upper extremities for joystick control. However, her ATP suggested she trial the SWITCH-IT Vigo headset control. The SWITCH-IT Vigo is a wireless proportional head control that allows drivers to effortlessly navigate their power wheelchairs and other devices using intuitive head movements.
The Vigo was a success! Jean received a QUICKIE Q500 M power wheelchair with a SWITCH-IT Vigo head control about a year ago. She reports that the Vigo has given her freedom. She is so happy that she can get around and go wherever she wants to go without being pushed. She specifically states that she can use public transportation and go to church, visit friends & family, and go to restaurants. She states that she can even back up using the Vigo to get out of the van. Additionally, Jean loves to get outside at her facility. One of her favorite things to do is feeding the squirrels. She keeps a bowl of peanuts on her lap tray and squirrels will climb right up onto her tray to help themselves!
Jean initially used two external switches located on either side of her headrest to turn on the Vigo and switch between modes to operate her seat functions. This configuration was causing usability challenges, especially as her fatigue progressed throughout the day. Due to her trunk weakness and tendency to fall further to her right, she would inadvertently activate her right head switch and lose access to her left head switch.
To better support her needs, alternative access methods or switch placements were explored with the goal to:
- Reduce physical effort – minimizing the need to switch modes manually.
- Prevent accidental activations – especially on the right side as she leans.
- Maintain consistent access – ensuring she can always reach her primary controls.
Enter the new SWTICH-IT CTRL+5 with Voice Activation. The CTRL+5 is a switch box device that plugs into her QUICKIE power wheelchair and can be programmed to control up to 10 separate power seating functions. It gives easy access to medically necessary seat adjustments for individuals who benefit from position changes for pressure relief; pain control; and functional seat elevation for participation in MRADLs, transfers, or visual access. The new voice activation feature provides faster access to seating controls without ever leaving drive mode.
This was a gamechanger for Jean. She no longer has to go through a sequence of activating external switches and using head movements to activate the Vigo for position changes. Now, all she has to say is, "Hello Sunrise!" and give the appropriate command for whichever seat function she desires to activate. For example, "Sunrise 2" will activate her posterior tilt. She can say, "Stop" any time during the transition and easily return upright with an additional command ("Sunrise 1"). Seat functions can be programmed for individual needs.
Jean's story is a great reminder of how we as clinicians and suppliers can play a vital role in ensuring everyone has an opportunity for independent mobility by completing thorough assessments, exploring all available options, and recommending advanced technologies that help meet the ultimate goal of freedom.