“I stole that thing all the time. The neighbors saw me out with the rollator more often than Kenneth,” says Lisbeth, laughing.

The rollator changed her life and today she walks almost five kilometers a day on various lighted trails.

The rollator made Lisbeth's life easier

Lisbeth Asplund, who is now 80 years old, says that she feels quite well for her age and has not had to have any surgeries or the like that many others have to do. Despite this, she chose to start using a rollator almost three years ago. Today, it functions more as a support for her rather than a must-have in everyday life.

“My walks are much, much longer when I walk with the rollator. There is no risk of falling when I walk with it and my stride length has become longer,” she says.

Lisbeth also says that it has become easier to get out into nature with Trionic's rollators because they have larger wheels and a good seating surface. In addition, life also becomes more social when you can get out every day.

– For us older people, it's essential to be able to get out and have that encounter with others. There's always someone who comes and talks to you, she says.

Many times Lisbeth is stopped precisely because people want to know what kind of rollator she uses.

The rollator doesn't make you old – quite the opposite

According to Lisbeth, many people may feel afraid to start using a rollator because they don't want to feel old or give the impression that they are old. But according to her, it is exactly the opposite.

– You get a swing in your steps and give a much healthier impression than when you are outside and walk with small and short steps. I also have much better posture when I walk with the walker than without it because the core muscles are not what they once were.

The message that Lisbeth wants to convey to other pensioners is that Trionic's rollators are an aid, it's not something you have just because you're old.

"When you have hearing loss, you get a hearing aid without a second thought. But starting with a rollator when your balance fails you often puts it off. I usually say that even if you can dance, you can use a walker," she says.

Rollators that make active living easier

At Trionic, there are several different options for those who want to live a more active and accessible life with a rollator. There are several different types of all-terrain rollators, all of which have different features depending on the activity you are looking for.

– Often it is the rollator that limits the user and not the other way around. If you have the right rollator, you can continue to do what you enjoy, says Johan Kuikka, CEO of Trionic.

Johan Kuikka believes that using a rollator as a training tool for preventive purposes can actually lead to people staying away from the walker as a necessity for longer. This is because Trionics walkers make it easier to continue living an active life for longer.

Order a Free Product Catalogue »

It was in 2018 that Magnus Legert one day began to notice that he was having difficulty controlling his legs. The symptoms only got worse and eventually it became difficult for Magnus to walk. From having had a physically and mentally demanding job as an accident orthopedic surgeon, he could now barely move. Soon Magnus began to suspect that he might have been affected by ALS. That's when he decided to tell his family and seek treatment.

– The doctors didn't find anything right away, other than that there was a bad signal from the spinal cord, says Magnus Legert.

While the investigation was ongoing, Magnus' condition worsened and he was also affected by covid-19 and post-covid during the pandemic. After that, things only went downhill and Magnus had difficulty moving at all. But in 2024, he chose to take a closer look at his own lab values.

– Then I thought I had strange lab values ​​and started taking vitamin B12 and folic acid. Then almost everything changed in a week. So I had an untreated vitamin B12 deficiency, he says.

So it wasn't ALS but vitamin B12 deficiency that Magnus suffered from, but because he had gone untreated for so many years, he now has permanent nerve damage.

A reluctant decision changed Magnus' life

It was when Magnus was feeling his worst that he considered starting to use a rollator. But it was a reluctant decision.

– "I didn't want to start using a rollator. No one really wants to. For a while I didn't think it was fun at all. But after I started taking vitamin B12, I noticed that life started to move forward and I got back on my feet. Then I just felt that life is great, I don't care if I need to use a rollator."

As Magnus got better, he realized that there was a problem with the rollator he had received from healthcare. It limited him. Regular rollators are only made for flat ground and are not adapted to the user's height. Then Magnus started looking at alternatives.

“As I got stronger, I wanted to go out on the trails and I really wanted to be able to exercise with the rollator. Then I realized that there was nothing through healthcare that was suitable for that,” he says.

After some research, Magnus found Trionics off-road rollators and decided to start using their products. It was a decision that changed his entire life.

– "Suddenly I could get anywhere I wanted. I could start running. From being confined to an urban environment, I could get out into the forest terrain. Having the opportunity, even if you are completely dependent on a walker, to be able to get almost anywhere, that means a lot."

Rollators for those who want to live a more active life

Trionic has several options for those who want to live a more accessible life with a walker. Johan Kuikka, CEO of Trionic, believes that it is often the rollator that limits the user and not the other way around.

– "If you have the right equipment, you can continue to do what you love. Our customers usually say that what we offer is a new life. People want to continue doing what they loved to do before they had a balance problem of some kind," says Johan Kuikka.

At Trionic, there are different variants of off-road rollators, such as the Veloped, which are adapted to different activities and purposes.

– "You often think that you should have a rollator that works for everything, but it's just like having two or three pairs of shoes in the hall depending on what you're going to do," says Johan.

If you currently have a rollator that limits you, then you should try a Trionic for a more active life.

I have been teaching in boarding schools all my life sharing an enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits. In 1971 I led an expedition to Iceland. In 1982 a group of 23 cycled from Miami to Ottawa, and in 1986 26 13-year-olds, including a future American ambassador, rode bicycles from Lands End to John O’Groats. In sharing my hobbies in this way, I was able to offer the young self-belief from physical challenges. 

In retyrement, I was able to ride the Camino, discover New Zealand, ride in Rajasthan, Kerala, Thailand and Laos. Mind blowing experiences.

But all this ultimately came at a physical cost. At the age of 82 I developed a severe rheumatic illness and osteoporosis. It eroded the base of my spine and distorted my shape with kyphosis. I became prone to further fractures. My love of physical exercise seemed confined to the aid of a special chair.

Why did you reach out to the company Trionic?

By sheer chance I stumbled across an advertisement for Trionic in The Oldie magazine. It only occurred that one time, and I often reflect how lucky I was to have cut it out and pondered over it. Yes, it was expensive, but the Walker seemed to offer a new lease of life. Could it really be true? I knew natural walking could never return but it turned out to be the best investment I could possibly have made. It allowed me outside. I could exercise my limbs. I could restore my health. I could socialise and watch wildlife and the world around me. What a turn around the Trionic Walker proved to be. It allowed me to securely lift the base of the spine, my source of pain, and provide a secure and comfortable anchorage whenever I had to take a rest.

What have you been able to do with your Trionic that you initially did not think you could do?

Since 1998, I set up a trust helping those in need. We are all volunteers offering wide expertise. Tragically, my honorary treasurer discovered in July 2024 that he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, (MND), for which there is no cure. I had known Jonathan for 35 years and as you can imagine, desperately wanted to do something that could conceivably be of help to him, his family and friends, as we faced the rapid decline that lay ahead for him.

The confidence I had in my Trionic Walker gave me the idea of setting up a sponsored walk during the winter in the Lake District to provide a physical challenge that ironically made me healthier.

In my sponsor walk, I aimed to cover 100 miles during the winter, averaging about 2 miles a day with the help of my Trionic Walker; its pneumatic tyres can deal with uneven ground and inclement weather. 

I started on 17th October and today, now into February, I have achieved 167.3 miles. I’m hoping to reach 200 by the time I end on the 28th of February. And I have so far raised a total of including Gift Aid (not yet claimed from HMRC) of £4633. All of which is being donated to the MND Association. 

What is your next goal with your Trionic? 

Towards the end of November, a local newspaper published an account of my sponsored walk ambitions. It was read by someone who had tragically lost her husband just a week before to aggressive cancer. They were both active outdoor people and felt that exercise could help his condition so they purchased a Trionic Veloped which he had only been able to use a few times. They wished me to have it at once and use it in memory of her husband. Living in the Lake District, I’m off-road from April to November so I much hope the Veloped with its cross country sophistication will extend my range into the low hills but always in grateful memory of David. And thank you, Johan for adapting it to my needs.

A rollator doesn't have to be something you use all the time, but something that makes it easier to get out and move around. To be able to do the entyre walk you've planned, and not just as far as your legs can handle that particular day.

With the right help at the right time, you can continue to live the life you want, and also maintain both your mobility and your freedom.

For you who doesn't want to slow down

When your balance changes and your body doesn't quite keep up with what you actually want to do, a walking aid that only works on smooth ground isn't enough. That's exactly why the Veloped exists – built to handle more than nice living room floors and smooth asphalt.

With its unique all-terrain design and patented climbing wheel, it makes its way over roots, gravel, forest paths, rocks, snow and curbs, without getting stuck on the way.

With its climbing wheel, the Veloped can handles obstacles up to 6"/13 cm in height (and 6"/15 cm with 14" wheels). It is perfect for forest paths, for gardening and for daily exercise walks.

A rollator that attracts attention, even at technical museums that display new technology

In the spring of 2026, the Veloped will become part of the Swedish Museum of Technology's permanent exhibition on Swedish innovation. The model on display has been used since 2012, both in everyday life and on a long hike from France to the coast of Spain. A perfect example of how far a rollator can take you when it is built to handle much more than you thought possible.

The fact that our Veloped is being featured in such a technical exhibition shows how new, modern technology can be used to create freedom of movement and safety. Not just in theory, but in real life.

A result of engineering and everyday life

The Veloped was developed in 2006 in a development project on fall prevention at KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. It was there that the realization arose that many people avoid assistive devices, even though they would benefit greatly from them. Often because they do not fit the life the user actually lives.

It was the start of something new. A rollator that works in real life. On gravel roads, in gardens and over curbs. For you who want to continue doing what you've always done.

Why Walk With a Veloped?

The origin of this expedition is unlike any other.

At the heart of Aillet’s journey was a 40-kilogram object that had previously flown in zero gravity, carried aboard a parabolic flight by French astronaut Jean‑François Clervoy as part of the European Space Agency’s 111th Parabolic Flight Mission.

Once the object returned to Earth, Aillet was faced with a unique challenge: how to transport, protect, and honor an object that had briefly escaped gravity—by moving it across Europe at the slowest, most grounded pace imaginable.

Walking was the answer. But walking required the right tool.

The Veloped as an Expedition Vessel

To make this possible, Trionic sponsored Jean-François Aillet with a Veloped. He immediately transformed it—not into a cart, but into a vessel.

The Veloped was equipped like a boat.

The space-flown object was laid horizontally at its core, secured and protected, surrounded by all the equipment required for a multi-year, self-sufficient expedition. Fully loaded, the Veloped carried close to 150 kilograms.

From that moment on, Aillet set off on foot from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, pushing the Veloped step by step across Europe.

Beyond Endurance: Why the Veloped Worked

Beyond the extraordinary human and physical dimension of the journey, the Veloped proved to be the most suitable means of transport imaginable.

In Aillet’s words—and through years of real-world testing—it demonstrated itself to be:

• Robust
• Solid
• Ergonomic
• Virtually unbreakable

Capable of passing almost anywhere, thanks to terrain-managing wheels and durable design. 

Over mountains, cobblestones, mud, sand, snow, forests, urban centers, and remote paths, the Veloped was pushed far beyond all conceivable limits of material resistance. It endured everything.

The journey became not only a test of human perseverance, but a full-scale validation of design under the most extreme and prolonged conditions possible.

A Walking Dialogue With Europe

Walking with the Veloped changed the nature of the expedition. The vehicle was impossible to ignore. It invited curiosity, questions, and conversation.

People stopped. They walked alongside him. They asked about the object, the route, the weight, the meaning. In this way, the Veloped became a bridge—between science and geography, between space exploration and human-scale movement.

Along the route, Aillet documented the expedition through photographs, notes, and direct encounters, building a living archive of Europe at walking pace. (A selection of visuals from the expedition can be found in his online galleries.)

Fifteen Years, One Continent

Over the course of fifteen years, Jean-François Aillet walked across 18 countries, accumulating:

• More than 15,000 kilometers on foot
• Over 1,000 days of walking
• Approximately 90,000 people met
• Tens of thousands of photographs taken

His routes linked oceans and seas, cultures and climates, forming loops rather than straight lines. The expedition—known as Baltica Atlantica—culminated in January 2026 at the summit of Mont-Saint-Michel-de-Brasparts, marking the end of a 15-year long human, physical, and symbolic journey.

A Rare Test, A Rare Recommendation

For Jean-François Aillet, it was a great honor to be able to test the Veloped in such unique, extreme, and prolonged conditions. Few products are ever subjected to this level of sustained real-world use.

His conclusion is unequivocal.

He highly recommends this extraordinary vehicle to current and future users alike—confident that they, too, will not regret choosing a product capable of carrying not just weight, but meaning, across continents.

Name: Aaron Baker

Recovery after a spinal cord injury is rarely about one breakthrough moment. It’s about thousands of small, often unglamorous wins—standing a little taller, taking one more step, trusting your body just enough to try again.

As a recovering quadriplegic, mobility has never been something I take for granted. Every tool that allows me to move through the world with greater confidence doesn’t just change how far I can go—it changes how I see myself within it.

That’s exactly what the Trionic four-wheeled Walker has done for me.

More Than Support—It’s Freedom

Traditional rollators and walkers can feel like a compromise: stability at the expense of momentum. The Trionic is different. Designed for outdoor terrain and real-world movement, it doesn’t just support me—it moves with me.

The four-wheel design, responsive braking system, and ergonomic posture support allows me to walk longer, safer and with far less fear of falling. For someone rebuilding neural pathways and relearning trust in their body, that psychological safety is just as important as the physical one.

With the Trionic Walker I’m not constantly looking down worrying about every crack in the pavement. I’m looking ahead. I’m engaging my core. I’m walking with intention.

In short, I’m moving through life—not around it.

Independence Is a Muscle

One of the hardest realities after paralysis is how easily independence can erode. Not all at once, but slowly, especially when you need help for tasks that once felt automatic.

The Trionic Walker has strengthened my independence the same way recovery strengthens the body: through repetition, consistency and confidence. It’s allowed me to go farther on my own, explore the outdoors again, and participate more fully in everyday life.

That sense of autonomy is not a luxury. It’s fuel for recovery.

Paying It Forward Through Adversity Into Adventure

My journey has never been just about my own recovery. Through Adversity Into Adventure Foundation, a nonprofit I founded, we exist to help others facing disability reclaim their sense of possibility.

Our mission is simple but powerful: to turn adversity into forward motion—through access, opportunity, and tools that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

That’s why gifting a Trionic Walker felt so aligned with our values.

This wasn’t just about donating equipment. It was about extending momentum. About saying to someone else on their recovery journey: You deserve tools that match your ambition. You deserve to keep moving forward.

Recovery doesn’t end when therapy sessions do. It continues in neighborhoods, on trails, in parking lots, and on uneven sidewalks—where real life happens. The Trionic walker meets people where they are, and then helps take them further.

Movement Is Hope in Action

I’ve learned that recovery is not linear, and independence is not binary. But every step forward—especially the ones earned through persistence—carries meaning.

The Trionic Walker has helped me to reclaim not just mobility, but confidence, posture, endurance and belief. And through Adversity Into Adventure, it’s helping us pass that belief on. Because when you give someone the right support, you don’t just change how they walk. You change where they’re willing to go.

Happy Adventuring! Aaron Baker

www.imaaronbaker.com
www.therebelliousrecovery.com
www.adversityintoadventure.org

When the design fails the user

A daily life that must work

For rollator users, winter is not about comfort, but about the possibility of living an independent life. The right assistive device can be the difference between isolation and participation. That's why it's crucial to choose an outdoor rollator that is designed for reality – not just for dry summer days, but for snow, ice and cold.

Being safe all year round is not a luxury. It's a prerequisite for being able to live.

Tell us a little more about yourself and what you have been doing?

I have always been an active person and have done a lot professionally, including being a qualified gas and water fitter (better known as a plumber). I also completed training as a dental technician.

I proved myself as a representative in the sale of vacuum cleaners, in assembly in shopfitting and also in a facility for disabled people, until I ended up in a large industrial company in the automotive sector.

There I initially started in production in shift work and accepted all the training measures that were offered to me. Among other things, I am a state-certified safety specialist (SiFa) and safety officer.

As I have always been very socially minded, after a short time I became a representative for severely disabled people and chairman of the works council at my company, where I worked for 25 years. My underlying illness (MS) and a severe course of Covid (with ventilation and coma) turned my life upside down and changed everything.

I have been married for 26 years, have no children and live with my lovely wife and my cat in our little house near Hamburg. I am currently looking for a new field of activity. I do fitness training 4 to 5 times a week, love riding my bike, which is called Ciara (the little black one) and my walker (Oswaldo).

They already follow me on Instagram (ciara.oswaldo and oswaldoswaldo). Since it is a cargo bike, "Oswaldo" can always come with me.

I am also appointed as a volunteer judge at the social court and the labor court. I like to travel around the world with my wife and Oswaldo, we have traveled to many places and met many people.

Why do you use a walking aid?

Due to my medical history, I am dependent on a number of aids. I have multiple sclerosis with a primary chronic course, I wear a spring orthosis on my right side because my right foot lifter no longer works,

I am extremely mobility-impaired and therefore need aids or walking aids. I am also suffering from the after-effects of a Covid 19 illness with a severe course of the disease in 2021. I have a wheelchair for particularly severe episodes, its name is Oswin. Thank God I rarely need it. I have tried all possible aids and am now very well looked after.

Why did you buy a Trionic Walker 14? How did you hear about the Trionic?

I specifically searched the internet for rollators with pneumatic tyres and came across Trionic by chance. I had previously had rollators with small, firm wheels and was always dissatisfied and unsteady when walking.

I live in an area where many streets are made of cobblestones and was therefore very excited to see whether the walker lived up to its name.

I was not disappointed, everything worked out great...from ordering to delivery, everything was excellent.

How did the Trionic help?

I walk much more safely than before with another rollator, I also walk a lot more and visit places that I would not or could not go to otherwise.

What is your best memory with the Trionic?

I can't possibly answer that because I have experienced so many wonderful things and still want to and will experience them.

What would you like to share with others?

Always believe in yourself and what you want, never let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. The Walker will bring you a step closer to your goals.

What can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Judi Martin and I am 61. All my working I life I was a qualified nurse. I had such a passion for life. I would travel, sometimes alone. I went to Italy alone and also Egypt and onto Jordan to visit Petra. I loved walking. That was my favourite past time. I loved being surrounded by nature. It both stimulated me and calmed me! In 2010 I lost my little grandson who was 2 years old. A trauma I will never forget as it was down to neglect. Little did I know that just 5 months later I would lose a huge part of my independence too. I was on a walking break in Yorkshire. On the second day I suffered a life changing brain injury. A subarachnoid haemorrhage. I survived after having brain surgery, and i actually wished I had died! I lost my ability to work. I lost self worth. I lost the ability to contribute financially. I became depressed and suicidal. I was left with severe balance issues which I find hard to describe. Kind of like being drunk without out the sick feeling. My life was awful. I fought so hard to carry on and do what I could. Every day was a living hell!.

Why did you reach out to the company Trionic?

I approached social services to see if they could provide me with a walking aid which they kindly did. I needed to get out however hard it was. I was going stir crazy. Well the walker was awful! Even on small gravel it crippled my joints in my arms. I’d visit my local National Trust and each time I thought it would be the last. It kept breaking. It caused me too much pain and I decided enough was enough. I’d be confined to my house again. I felt utterly hopeless. So hopeless and so depressed I tried taking my life twice!

Some days were better than others. Some days I dug deep and forced myself to achieve tiny goals. I had a moment of epiphany!! I got my tablet and literally typed in “robust walking aids”. Trionic appeared. I read about the veloped and walker for hours over the coming days. My thoughts were “you cannot put a price on mobility” so took the plunge and ordered the veloped. It arrived quickly. I loved it immensely. It gave me back the ability to walk again without the added pain due to the pneumatic tyres. I can almost go anywhere I like! It’s true I cannot go miles anymore but it’s given me back a life I had lost. I also bought the walker for more urban areas. I had stopped having holidays! I thought what was the point? I booked one in Cornwall and I managed to go on the beach with my veloped. My next goal was to visit my brother in Ireland on a plane. Crazy I know but I had lost all  my confidence. I purchased a travel bag and took the walker. I made it there! By plane. Without Trionic this would never have happened!

What have you been able to do with your Trionic that you initially did not think you could do?

Having managed a short plane trip to Ireland I thought maybe I could do something a little more daunting! By now I had established that both walking aids could be taken anywhere I wanted to go as both are so comfortable to use. I have joint issues too and the wheels are so fabulous I get little or no pain using both.

What is your next goal and trip with your trionic? 

I’ve taken the plunge and booked a weeks cruise to the Norwegian Fiords in June 2025. My only issue is which one to take. I know I will still be frustrated because I’m still limited to what I can achieve. I was once super woman. Physically the brain injury put paid to the amount I can do physically. One thing is certain though. Without my Trionic walking aids I couldn’t go for a walk. I’d not be doing what I can now do. I’d be a virtual prisoner in my home. I still get frustrated. I still feel worthless at times but thanks to Trionic my life is so much better.  Everywhere I go people comment on my veloped! Some even take photos. Happy that somebody else may benefit like me but I just have to get over the stigma of using a walking aid with an invisible disability! That’s down to my fierce and stubborn independent streak!????

At 75, the Canadian endurance walker decided that Parkinson’s wouldn’t stop him from chasing his goals. Instead, it inspired him to redefine what staying active means with the help of his trusted companion: the Trionic Veloped.

From Setback to Comeback

A lifelong advocate for active aging, Hardy has made it his mission to “keep getting older, going faster—and further.” Despite the tremors, stiffness, and balance issues brought on by Parkinson’s, he continues to compete in walking races. His most recent milestone, Bucket List #5—a 5 km race—was completed in 36 minutes and 19 seconds, at an impressive 6.7 km/h pace.

But beyond the time and distance, it’s the journey itself that stands out. Hardy credits his progress to his Trionic Veloped, calling it the perfect training partner for life with Parkinson’s. “Parkinson’s changes your stride, balance, and confidence,” he explains. “The Veloped gives me my feedback—rhythm, stability, and trust. It’s not a cure, but it’s the right tool so I can keep going.”

The Right Tool for the Right Challenge

Unlike traditional walkers or rollators, the Trionic Veloped was designed with real-world movement in mind. It’s an all-terrain, stability-focused rollator that adapts to a user’s environment rather than limiting them to smooth, flat surfaces. With its large pneumatic tyres, low center of gravity, and wide, stable frame, the Veloped provides unmatched comfort and security on uneven ground, curbs, and trails.

For people living with Parkinson’s, these features make all the difference. The ergonomic grips and responsive brakes offer control and confidence, while the open, outdoor-friendly design reduces postural instability and the risk of tipping—common challenges in Parkinson’s mobility.

“The Veloped lets me focus on my stride instead of fighting the surface,” says Hardy. “It supports me without doing the work for me. That’s important—it keeps me training, upright, and moving with purpose.”

Staying Active with Parkinson’s

Exercise is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to manage Parkinson’s symptoms and slow the progression of mobility loss. However, many patients face obstacles such as balance issues and fear of falling. The Veloped’s unique engineering helps bridge that gap, encouraging safe movement while maintaining independence and confidence.

“My racing world changed when I moved to an all-terrain platform,” Hardy shares. “It allows me to train safely and consistently. The Veloped gives me stability, rhythm, and a sense of normalcy.”

Empowering Movement, One Step at a Time

While the Trionic Veloped is not a medical treatment or diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease, it has become an empowering mobility solution for people who want to keep moving despite the challenges. By combining intelligent design with a passion for real-world activity, Trionic enables users like Bob Hardy to reclaim their mobility, rediscover the outdoors, and continue living with purpose.

As Hardy puts it: “The Veloped doesn’t do the work for me—it makes the work possible.”

Ann-Marie and her Ninja 

One of Trionic's users is Ann-Marie Stålgren, 57, a photographer and artist who has been dependent on a walker since the early 2000s due to a congenital mechanical defect in the spine. 

- "I previously had a very active life where I played football at a high level and enjoyed being out in the woods and fields, but my condition worsened over the years and after several years of being bedridden I was given a walker from the municipality. But the wheels came to a complete stop at the slightest obstacle, such as gravel or uneven ground. In 2018 I found information about the Veloped flickering on the Internet and thankfully I received sponsorship from my friend Nina who said Order it and I will buy it". It changed everything! For me, who couldn't even go outside in the winter, it really opened up the world again", says Ann-Marie. Since 2016 her body has not allowed her to be in a sitting position, instead she was transported by stretcher and mobility service.

-"Many who have seen me arrive lying on a stretcher are completely perplexed when they see me walking on the forest path a moment later with my Ninja, that I call my Veloped", she says and laughs. Ann-Marie likes to be out in nature and take photographs, and has made several photo books.  

-"I met the King and Queen Silvia and gave them a photo book, and the King was very impressed with my Ninja, which he called "this vehicle". Queen Silvia also dubbed my camera tripod, and I will never wash it!" 

Don't be a hostage in your own home 

Johan Kuikka at Trionic recognizes Ann-Marie's description from several other users who have also testified to the possibilities the Veloped has opened up for them. 

-"The county council's walkers are all the rage, but large groups of users are stuck with them as they lack the arm strength or balance to handle anything other than completely flat surfaces and they become almost hostages in their own homes. The Veloped is designed specifically to promote an active life", says Johan. 

The Veloped comes in many different models, specially designed for different activities, such as hunting, golf and trekking. 

-"We have users who previously enjoyed hunting or playing golf who can now start doing it again. They have gotten their lives back, which makes us happy", says Johan in conclusion. 

-"The Veloped really opens up the world again for our many users. No matter how old you get, in your mind you always perceive yourself as young and active, and then it of course feels very difficult to be forced into a sedentary life. Older people today are used to an active and exciting lifestyle. We have received phone calls from overjoyed customers who tell us that it is the first time in 10-15 years that they have managed to get muscle soreness after finally being able to be really physically active outdoors again. But the Veloped is not just for older users, it is suitable for people of all ages," says Johan Kuikka at Trionic Sverige AB, the company that has developed, produces and sells the Veloped all over the world.

Jim, veteran marathon runner and globetrotter

One of the many Veloped users is retyred aerospace engineer Jim Sheehy, 83, who lives in California, USA. With his Veloped, despite his advanced age, he lives a very, very active life, something many younger people can only dream of.

-"My acquaintance with the Veloped started when, at the age of 75, I had a crazy idea. I thought I would run a marathon, but realized that my regular walker wouldn't work for that. Then I started looking around and found the Trionic," says Jim.

Jim completed his marathon in 6 ½ hours, and since then he has a total of five marathons on his list of achievements, as well as a lot of half marathons and other races. In addition to his interest in sports, Jim is very interested in nature and travel. He estimates that he has been to over 100 countries and in his later years he has visited both Antarctica, Easter Island and Kenya's Masai Mara nature reserve.

-"When I visited the Komodo Islands and was about to join a tour with a guide, he shook his head when he saw my Veloped and told me I wouldn't be able to keep up. Then I told him that if he could keep up with my pace, it would probably be fine!", says Jim.

Jim has never had any problems on his travels and the Veloped has been welcome on all flights, and many fellow travelers ask him with interest about the exciting design.

Don't become a hostage in your own home or on smooth asphalt

While Jim is exceptional in his embrace of all life's possibilities, he is not alone. Many users testify to the amazing opportunities the Veloped has opened up for them.

-"All praise for the county council's rollators, but due to their lack of functionality on uneven surfaces, many rollator users become hostages either in their own homes or on smooth asphalt. The Veloped is designed specifically to promote an active outdoor life," says Johan Kuikka at Trionic.

The Veloped is offered in various models specially designed for purposes such as sports/exercise, hiking, daily use, golf and hunting.

-"We have users who previously enjoyed hunting or playing golf and who can start doing so again with the Veloped. They have their lives back, which makes us very happy," says Johan in conclusion.

Article written by Emelie Högstedt

What was your life like before you became unwell?

“In my role as an orthopaedic casualty surgeon I worked with a hammer, saw and screwdriver. Every working day was a training session; I had to stay in shape in order to perform well in my role, so I did running, strength training and senior tennis.”

Seven years ago you suddenly started having difficulty with coordination and balance — what happened?

“My symptoms first appeared when I was training at an outdoor gym and my legs started moving on their own. It slowly but surely got worse and eventually I had difficulty walking. After several months of investigation by a neurologist, a change in the signals from the thoracic and cervical spine was detected, but everything else was normal. After this, I began suffering from exhaustion disorder. Only after two years of therapy and rehab was I able to walk with relative ease. I started working more, exercising less, and I got worse again. I fell and broke my ankle in 2021, worked my way back, and could jog with poles by 2022, but that same year I caught Covid-19. A year ago today, I could barely talk, couldn't walk, my breathing muscles stopped functioning, and I lost almost all the hair on my body. I didn't think I'd live to see this Christmas. When I was on the maximum dose for antidepressants, I finally turned a corner mentally. I had low folic acid levels in my blood and near-low B12 levels, yet my blood count was normal, which doesn't make sense. So I decided to try B12 and folic acid medication. After just a few days, everything changed. In fact, I read an article by associate professor Herman Nilsson-Ehle which supported this incredible effect. Overnight I gained the ability to stretch out my hand without shaking, and after a couple of weeks I could talk and walk with the aid of a walker.”

You are in great need of a rollator — tell us!

“I wanted to build myself up again, get out into the woods and onto rough terrain, and in this way learn to walk better, maybe even run. Nature offers all the exercise one needs, but getting hold of an off-road rollator turned out to be impossible. My region offers procured rollators that are unstable laterally, have poor brakes, and where the wheels get stuck sideways. When I tested one off-road, I almost killed myself. Then I came across Trionic's rollators online.”

In what way has your rollator changed your everyday life?

“It's completely changed my life, and given me such freedom. I've now also had a Trionic Veloped for three weeks and have started jogging a bit. I didn't think it would be possible, and it is a joy to be able to go out into the forest. I often hear comments like “Nice work!” from passers-by, which also increases my self-esteem.”

There is a certain stigma around using a walker — what was your experience of this?

“A year ago, when I first had to use a walker to get to the doctor, I felt useless. I was rather vain before, you know. Now I don't care one bit and would rather take the Veloped than a trolley in the supermarket. Trionic's off-road Veloped is also cool — people can fantasize about what he was before he needed it.”

How do you see the future?

- “I have responded extremely strongly to taking B12 so now I hope that the muscle functions will remain and that they can be improved. I have brain fatigue and disability and I don't know how much of my damaged nerves will come back, but I think of myself as healthy and I am living my second life now. In November I will be giving a lecture at a senior fair and I hope that more people will have access to the aids they need. Above all, walkers that work in everyday life and that allow for an active outdoor life. It doesn't always have to be to get out into the terrain, but can be as trivial as getting over a regular threshold.”

Perhaps you have asked yourself questions such as:

• How can Trionic's Veloped climb a curb of up to 15 cm when my current rollator has to be lifted up?
• How does the patented climbing wheel work?
• How much less vibration is there with air-filled wheels?
• How does synchronized steering work?
• Can I really walk in nature again even though I use a rollator?

You can ask questions about all this and much more and test it yourself when we at Trionic will finally visit several places in Sweden in 2024. On our Trionic on tour, we will bring our range with us so that you can squeeze and feel our aids and build your own opinion of why we are the leader in the market for off-road outdoor rollators with large air-filled wheels.

We are now looking for cities and expressions of interest where we can come to showcase our products. So submit your own application for interest and tell your loved ones, because the more applications we receive in your particular location, the greater the chance that we will get there.

Sign up for a test ride »

By Ian Wadell, 86 years of age

What can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Ian Wadell, currently at age 86. Have had many ups and downs but mostly ups. Came out of forces in my early fortees, and like many after long term engagement was a bit lost and having witnessed things that unable to discuss with those who hadn't been in same position. Became a bit of a loner but eventually settled down to a gardening /Security job and then got into a relationship, that both lasted 15yrs. Moved down to Wales and became immersed in multi day mountain running and as an offshoot. In 1992 I became the founder of the Dragon's Back Race. This entails running the length of Wales over all the mountains in 6 days . An impressive race! This race is classed as one of the top such races in the world and have many top ultra runners participating! My lasting legacy to the sport and i am realy proud of that.

Why did you reach out to the company Trionic?

However by then i had developed severe Osteoarthritis, which meant no more running but still needed to keep mobile. I tried various crutches in the beginning, but spent more time on my back than actually upright. So I started to look around locally for something better, but as is getting more common resorted to the Internet and after much searching, I came to the decision that overall Trionic looked best suited for my needs.

Can you explain why the Fundraising is so important for you?

Now that I was mobile and confident looked for a local charity to support. I always need a target and this time I settled on Ty hafan. This charity cares for children with life limiting illness, few reaching their teens. This will actually be the fourth money raising challenge I do for them.

What have you been able to do with your Trionic Veloped that you initially did not think you could do?

Now after a few months of use, I am back on footpaths, townpath etc which was impossible with crutches.

What is your goal after the hike of Pen y Fan? 

This will be my last challenge, as i feel my body is just falling apart. This does not mean that i will become inactive! With my Veloped I will still be able to get out and about to a lot of places but without the pressure of fund raising.

At Fritidsbanken, you can borrow everything from a complete slalom set and floorball sticks to life jackets and three-person tents. The available equipment varies from location to location and depends on what we have received. Everyone can borrow, and everything is free – we never compromise on that. The equipment is used but often in very good condition. We also regularly service the equipment to ensure the best possible user experience. 

We are happy that Fritidsbanken has made Västra Frölunda and Malmö accessible!

Fritidsbanken in Västra Frölunda

Visit Fritidsbanken in Västra Frölunda and search for "All-Terrain Walker" to check availability.

The all-terrain walker can be booked by contacting Fritidsbanken Gothenburg, Frölunda Torg

Address: Frölunda Torg, upper floor, next to the blood donation center and the Social Insurance Agency, 421 42 Västra Frölunda

Book easily by phone: 0707-435828

Fritidsbanken in Malmö

Visit Fritidsbanken in Malmö to borrow our walkers.

Visit Fritidsbanken in Malmö and search for "All-Terrain Walker" to check availability.

The all-terrain walker can be booked by contacting Fritidsbanken in Malmö at the Mobilia shopping center:

Address: Per Albin Hanssons väg 32E
Entrance from the square, Center building. Galleria.

Book easily by phone: 073-3297936

Trionic provides mobility aids that enable people with walking problems to walk anyway.

"We are not necessarily talking about just walking. We also facilitate hiking, as we have walking aids that allow you to go into the woods, go hunting, or play a round of golf."

According to Kuikka, people underestimate how important it is for seniors to be able to live independently and to be able to go outside.

"Exercise is always healthy, but it is the stimuli of new experiences, interesting conversations with others, or experiencing a whole new environment that keeps people mentally healthy. This allows seniors to remain independent and active members of society for much longer instead of becoming dependent on care."

Invest before problems start

One of the conclusions of the SCP study is that the government should invest in vital seniors. "This group is often forgotten in policy making. The focus is always on the elderly who need care, while there is a lot to be gained in the life phase before that." The researchers believe that a country with healthy vital seniors spends less on care and hospitals. Local governments should therefore reach out to seniors early, and, if necessary, activate them.

"There are already a lot of good and fun projects, but there needs to be more. Don't put seniors on a side track, but put them in the middle of society especially when making policy."

Invest in quality resources

Putting seniors in the middle of society offers added value in many ways, Kuikka also believes. "Don't forget that this is the generation that rebuilt the world after World War II. They witnessed the start of the exploration of space, experienced the Cold War, but also thanks to their efforts, we can all afford a car and have a roof over our heads today. They can still teach the younger generation a lot, help them find balance in life, or put them at ease. In this time when the world is turned upside down again, that is even more important."

Yet he warns of the known pitfall. "Making these people more relevant also means that they must have access to the right resources and materials. They must be able to rely on reliable and robust tools in their daily activities. And if something does go wrong, that they get good service and are helped quickly. The fact that the price tag may be a bit higher is less important.

The sooner they are back on their feet independently, the more important it is, not only for their own health, but also, as the SCP in the Netherlands concludes, in the interests of society."

Kenny Noyes began competing in American dirt track and then progressed to road racing in Spain where he made it to the MotoGP Word Championship for two years. During his racing career he stood on the podium in different classes and championships – until tragedy struck in a race in Motorland in 2015, he had a nasty crash that caused him to end up in a coma. “It was truly a near-death experience. But fortunately, I survived.”

Overcoming adversity

Kenny has become a role model in the world of motorsport after his accident. In the second opportunity he has gotten, he truly loves life, and overcomes adversities and setbacks that he faces with a positive attitude– since the accident these challenges have grown in intensity. “I spent over a month in the intensive care unit, followed by a year in the hospital in minimum consciousness slowly regaining awareness and movement. At first, during my recovery, I really thought I'd be able to race motorcycles again. But as I became more aware of my new situation, I realized that motorcycles had become a part of my past, and I started to see there's a whole life beyond the tracks.”

Follow his journey here

Recently, he set a goal for himself: to complete the Marathon of Barcelona in 2025. Since the accident, he has worked continuously on improving his motor skills with different types of aids. From not being able to get out of bed, he progressed to being able to move around in a wheelchair. One year later, he was able to stand up and push the wheelchair himself, and soon after he started using simple walking aids. Eight years after the accident, he got the opportunity to try out the Trionic Veloped and is very happy with it.

Promotes physical activity

A Veloped is a modern alternative to a rollator, developed for people with active lifestyles. With innovative and award-winning design, Johan Kuikka, VD at Trionic, states that their Veloped is a world leader when it comes to walking aids for outdoor use.

More than 25 years of experience from cycle sports is what lies behind the development work of this Swedish invention, which was designed at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. The Veloped offers first-class support and unbeatable comfort when walking, hiking or exercising outdoors, and the aim is to promote physical activities and a rich outdoor life. This suited Kenny’s needs perfectly, he says.

Read more about the Trionic Veloped here

”The half marathon is a viable goal”

Kenny states that the Veloped has helped him move forward, and that even though he can’t run yet, he can walk fast; which is what makes him see the half marathon in Barcelona in 2025 as a good and viable goal.

“Today, I’m too slow for the time limit of three hours, but I’m looking forward to shortly be able to start running and be able to complete the race. The Veloped had been a real game changer; it helps me to train off-road without having to worry about the surface, and I will be sharing my journey on my social media, to show that nothing is impossible.”


Trionic: Made for Walking

We believe in high quality, good engineering and thought through design. Our focus is innovation and creating products that help people to be active, but without compromising with your actual need for support.

We offer products that promote both your physical and psychological well being, that make it possible for you to enjoy nature, go on excursions and attain new knowledge.Our goal is to let you experience the best product that the market has to offer; the ultimate support in both downtown environments and off road terrain.

We care about all our customers, and we really appreciate your feedback and thoughts, since they make our vision stronger; to create the best walking aid in the world.

That is why we don’t settle with anything less than perfection in everything that we do. We are honest, hard working and have the courage to change what we can, where we can do it.

Welcome!

Order a catalog and follow Kenny’s challenge on our website.

Please fill in the form below and we will send you a free Trionic catalogue in the mail.

Free catalogue »

Throughout the Vasalopp Trail, they overcame obstacles fit to their personal capabilities, culminating in their arrival at Mora's portal on Sunday.

“Interest has been remarkably high”, as stated by Anders Andrae.

They have all traversed the same path once taken by King Gustav Vasa, though not on skis but with manual wheelchairs, off-road electric wheelchairs, innovative guiding systems, and all-terrain Veloped walkers. Against all setbacks and the rain, they have managed it with success. 
The finish line was emotional, and a group of proud and joyful hikers has achieved a remarkable feat. It's all been an unforgettable adventure.

For the third year in a row, Sweden's longest hike for people with diverse abilities was organised. The hike follows the route of Cykelvasan, a summer variation of the classic skiing race Vasaloppet. It stretches over 90 kilometres, divided into eight stages, and runs between Sälen and Mora in Dalarna. The hike followed trails and gravel roads with varied terrains, passing through vast forests, lakes, ponds, and small villages.

Around 30 participants took part in this year's Long Hike. The journey began last Saturday – 29 July – in the Berga Village located in Sälen and concluded on 6 August in Mora.

This year's edition brought a new addition: GPS tracking on the trail, provided by Nordic Evolution. This addition enabled blind hiker Knut Thorstensson to navigate alongside everyone else.

During the hike, four Veloped walkers participated as individuals hiking with Trionics' all-terrain Veloped walkers.

As I reach the boat harbour and look out over the bay, I notice two tents set up further down on one of the piers with a grill area. I grab my camera equipped with the most powerful of my zoom lenses and attach it to the tripod secured to my Veloped. There are two people with bicycles camping over there. I take a few photos as I start making my way towards them. I always seek permission for using photos, and I'm also curious to learn more about them.

To my pleasant surprise, I see that they are two older gentlemen. When I greet them, I receive a friendly “Hello” in return, as one of them adds, “Pino can little Swedish”.

These two charming gentlemen, both in their 70s, come from Germany. They have travelled from Gothenburg and are now spending the night here in the small village of Söråker. Through a mix of English, Swedish, and German, I learn about their incredible cycling journey. Their current goal is Umeå, from where they plan to take the ferry to Vaasa and continue cycling through Finland.

They're fascinated by my Veloped, which I've named Ninja since she takes me “over hill and dale”. I'm equally fascinated and impressed by them.

A few days later in the same spot, I encountered Romain, a Frenchman. He also has cpedallingling from Norway, passing through Docksta, Ångermanland. Now, he's enjoying breakfast after spending the night in the shelter. His cycling journey from France has taken him 19 days to reach Söråker. We had a pleasant chat in English. He didn't have a set travel route or timeline. Imagine stumbling upon these long-distance cyclists here in Söråker. Unbelievable!

I walked away with a smile as I reflected on how fortunate I am to have my Ninja with me. Without my Veloped, I wouldn't have managed these year-round walks come rain or shine. I rely on my Ninja for both my fitness and my well-being.

Earlier this year Ben completed a challenge to visit all 272 London underground stations and posted photos to his Instagram account @Tube.Snapper to raise awareness of Ataxia, a rare condition affecting 500 children and 10,000 adults in the UK.

Ben is raising funds and awareness for Ataxia UK by trying to get as far up Snowdon using his wheelchair and Rollator. Ben will be using wheelchair-accessible transport including a London Bus, The London Underground, the Elizabeth Line, Mainline Trains and the Snowdon Sherpa bus service to get to base camp in Wales. Ben will then take the Llanberis path, hopefully to the top of the mountain, starting in his wheelchair, then transferring to his Rollator, and for the final push to the top using my adapted walking sticks, supported by a team from Ataxia UK.

Ben with Ataxia used a Wheelchair, rollator, and poles and managed to climb Snowdon?

Ben managed! Climbed up and descended Mount Snowdon – the highest mountain in Wales – in around 16-and-a-half hours using a combination of a wheelchair, rollator and specially adapted walking sticks, describing the experience as “emotional”.

“I ended up having to crawl up the last lot of steps just to get to the top”, the 49-year-old who lives in Buckhurst Hill, Epping Forest, told the PA news agency.

“There was an Ordnance Survey marker at the top, so I sort of pulled myself up that and clung onto it for dear life.

“I felt really excited and I was really elated to get to the top – there were about 20 or 30 people that were waiting for me at the top and I didn’t know these people, but they all started clapping and cheering, so I got a bit emotional.”

Fight Ataxia

While on the hike, he said he took around 100 selfies with people, and described the outpouring of support from people leaving comments and making donations on his JustGiving page – which has exceeded the £5,000 target – as “unbelievable.”

Please share this or make a donation

“I’m so insanely grateful for how the support is spreading awareness for Ataxia and it will enable Ataxia UK to continue supporting people like me and help more people understand the disease.”

Ben Spencer documented how he travelled to Snowdon too, to highlight accessibility issues. Trionic is proud to have taken part in this challenge and Ben wouldn’t have been able to do it without the Veloped, as he himself stated after the completion. "The Veloped was enabling me to get 3/4 of the way up the mountain"

Problem identifying Ataxia

Ben added that one of the “biggest problems” with Ataxia is potentially having to wait for years for a diagnosis.

“I’ve been seeing doctors on and off and the odd neurologist for about 15 years and it took about 15 years for me to get to the point where they diagnosed me with Ataxia because it kept getting mistaken for other things”, he said.

“I eventually got lucky and got a neurologist who knew all about it.”

What can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Brian Boon, 81 years of age, and I have always been active throughout my life. 30 years of service as a police officer for Essex Police in the UK, from 1959 to 1989. Afte

r retiring on a pension, I stayed with the service, but in a civilian capacity, as a Divisional Admin Manager, subsequently progressing to the forces Management Accountant, when I finally retyred.

We enjoyed camping and travelling abroad, especially in Scandinavia, we are now on our third motor caravan.

What made you choose the Trionic Walker 14er?

The Trionic Rollator, with 14-inch wheels, seemed to be ideal. When I queried with Trionic as to trying one out, they were more than helpful. It was remarkably steady and solidly built, and I felt completely safe from the first time I tried it. I often get asked about it and carry a couple of brochures when out and about.

What have you been able to do with your Trionic Walker 14er that you initially did not think you could do?

Ageing is now taking effect with aches and pains, so we have changed to using a small cruise company working from Essex. This has allowed us to be able to visit, for example, Norway, Sweden and Iceland; the Faroe Islands, the Shetland Islands and Amsterdam, and to take part in the various available excursions.

The folding ability of the rollator has never caused a problem on board ship or transferring to tenders to go ashore... The ability to turn in its own length means easy use of lifts on board.

What’s next for you and your Trionic Walker, have you planned anything special?

We are already looking forward to another short cruise in 2023, namely a Round Britain tour to include Scotland, the Scilly Isles, Guernsey, as well as Honfleur in France.

They’re the same remarks she hears whenever she’s out logging miles near her home in Washington state: “you’re an inspiration,” “you’re so brave,” “you’re the reason I’m still going.”

“It annoys me,” Herzog said. “I don’t want to be an inspiration. I don’t want this disease. I’ve been a back-of-the-pack person. Now, I’m visible to everyone.”

Muscular dystrophy has forced the 58-year-old to adapt her running around her muscles’ changing abilities. Currently, that requires a high-tech Trionic Veloped walker, which is what catches the eyes at every race.

She’s visible when she’s racing, but Herzog says people lose sight of who she really is.

“I want to be a regular person out there,” Herzog said. “I want people to notice me and not the walker. I don’t even pay attention to its existence after a while out there and I need it to stay upright. I want them to just notice Jane.”

That person is a certified Marathon Maniac and has completed marathons in all 50 states. That includes 26.2s both before and after her diagnosis (30 of them with the walker). She ran her first 100-miler with the walker and used it when completing double crossings at the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee (GVRAT), a virtual race that gives runners four months to log as many miles back and forth across Tennessee.

The miles logged in her lifetime keep rising more and more even if her life has changed drastically over recent years. All she knows is that she will always find a way to keep going.

“She has been a runner all her life,” said her husband, Ray Shaw. “She can’t just up and quit. Some people would, but not Jane.”

Finding a Way

When 10- to 12-minute miles became the fastest she could sustain, she thought it might simply be the effects of getting older. But there was this tyred feeling, too, that wouldn’t go away. It was like her body was saying, “no, not anymore.”

An injury stopped her from running completely. Going downhill on a run, Herzog slid down on some rocks and dirt. While attempting to stop, her femur jammed through her hip socket. The bone in the hip was cracked all the way through.

It took time for the injury to heal, but as it did, the atrophy in her leg persisted. This ultimately led to a gazillion tests (nervous system, muscle biopsy, MRI) and doctor appointments over a year or more until she was finally diagnosed via a DNA test.

“I had muscular dystrophy,” she said. “I apparently had always had it. No one else in my family has it, so I think it’s because I’m the middle child. The middle child always gets screwed.”

Muscular dystrophy has many variations, but it primarily causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. The condition can appear in childhood, or in some cases, like Herzog’s, during adulthood.

Herzog’s specific condition is facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Her body produces a protein that kills her muscles instead of creating new ones.

The diagnosis was disheartening, but Herzog was determined to continue moving. She had goals. She had to finish her 50 marathons, which she did by focusing on races with longer cutoffs. As she neared the completion of that goal, she thought about the next one. Compelled like many runners, she wanted to go farther.

“I kept thinking, now what?” she said. “I always wanted to do a 100 miler. I just needed to figure out how.”

“There’s always a way”

While exercise has kept Herzog mentally and physically happy, the jury is out on whether so much exercise is beneficial or harmful in individuals with this form of muscular dystrophy. Exercise breaks down her muscles, and over the years, she has lost more of them.

“I don’t have the ankle and foot muscles to push off,” Herzog said. “I don’t have hamstrings and my quads are halfway gone. For one leg, I don’t even have a calf muscle. It’s not just me not being able to push through. I still get emotional over it.”

“My doctors encourage me to keep going,” she added, “and I’m all for it.”

Her balance is off these days. She can’t push off her toes like she used to. She needs assistance when walking. As her gait and techniques changed, she adjusted. First, trekking poles helped her keep her balance. When that started to go, she tried her daughter’s baby jogger, but she couldn’t manage the inclines. She needed a more advanced walker, beyond the standard ones available in the United States.

An FSHD Facebook support group yielded an answer. There was a brand, Trionic, that made an advanced walker called the Veloped. Like many medical devices, it was not covered by insurance and cost around $1,500. 

She also needed special braces for her feet, which cost $2,000 each. When she found medical providers who were serious about helping her find a unique solution, it took several iterations to get the races correct. As her legs change, she needs adjustments to her braces or new ones altogether. 

“The whole experience can, at times, be disheartening and bitterly frustrating,” said Herzog’s friend and longtime running partner, Tracy Brown. “She has not settled for something, a brace, a walker, that will not help her to the extent that she needs help. This shows Jane’s inner strength, but I wish that Jane did not have to constantly use that inner strength. She suffers and has to fight to get what she needs.” 

The price tag is hefty, but the payoff is priceless.

“There’re always modifications to things you can do,” Herzog said. “It won’t be the same. I don’t get the same runner’s high, but it’s similar to the rush from what you used to do. Your attitude makes the difference.”

Hitting the Jackpot

“We used to go out and do a marathon Saturday and a marathon Sunday and think nothing of it,” Shaw said. “She’d go out and do 50Ks and other races. Now, it takes all day to do a marathon, but she gets it done.”

Working full-time as a controller doing payroll and finding flat races with long cutoffs means that getting to a start line is a challenge in itself. Because Herzog needs time to rest during a 100-mile effort, she usually looks for events with 72-hour cutoffs like A Race for the Ages and Jackpot.

“My normal walking now is 18- to 22-minute miles; 50 miles takes me around 24 hours,” she said. “When I’m tyred, I need to lay down for a couple hours, and most races will time out if you’re doing walking paces.”

At Jackpot, she completed about 45 miles in her first 24 hours. Her goal was to reach a total of 75 miles by the 48-hour mark because “25 miles left didn’t sound too bad” for the last 24 hours. Herzog took some breaks during the first 24. During the second night, her husband encouraged her to get a few hours of sleep before heading back out. He would get some sleep, too.

That was around 10 p.m., a day and a half into the race. At midnight, she woke up and continued moving with Shaw still asleep. By the next time she stopped, she had reached 76 miles and headed in to rest before the final push with 24 hours to go.

“I crawled into the tent. It was cold that night,” she said. “An hour later, my husband was poking me to see if I was ever going to get up and get moving. He didn’t know I was out all night.”

Refreshed nonetheless after the short break, Herzog got back out there. She watched Camille Herron break her 100-mile world record and kept moving. Around 1 a.m. Sunday night, she walked across the line, finishing with 102 miles. There was time to keep going, but she had accomplished her goal.

Everyone goes through the pain and mental dark places in ultras,” Herzog said. “I’m no different than the blind athletes I was running with or the other runners. We all go to a dark place and find our way out. That’s why we do this.”

What Comes Next

A couple of weeks after Jackpot, Herzog’s hands were still numb, a product of having to hold herself up on the walker for all 102 miles. But her feet ended up in good shape post-race. Normally, the plastic braces rub against her foot inside her shoes. Putting a gaiter on inside her right shoe seemed to do the trick this time.

“People really don’t know what she goes through to do what she does on a race course,” Brown said.

“It’s all part of the process,” Herzog said. Whether testing out strollers, trying new wheels on her Veloped, or not being able to write legibly for a week because she held herself up for 50+ hours over a weekend, the puzzle of finding a way to keep going isn’t easy. But the alternative is not being out there at all. 

“I’m not going to do that,” Herzog said. “It’s fun to say this disease hasn’t taken over me yet. I know that there’s still a super high probability I’ll be in a wheelchair in the not too far future. Until then, I’m going to do my life, and I’m going to keep carrying on.”

This means more GVRAT crossings this summer, a possible return to A Race for the Ages if her work schedule allows it, and racking up as many miles as she can, for as long as she can.

“I get why people are inspired; it’s the awe,” Shaw said. “Going out there and looking after it rains to see a beautiful rainbow. That’s what it’s like when you see her come in an upright position across the finish line. It’s a glorious feeling. She makes you cry. She refuses to quit.”

A couple of weeks ago, my wife suggested that I try a lighter aid, specifically a Trionic Walker 14er. We looked at the specification, some videos that users have made, and most important, the cost. We decided to go ahead and order one.

Delivery was by UPS and timely. It arrived already assembled (including the backrest, which is counted as an accessory). Having experience with a Trionic Veloped, I was easily able to adjust the grip height, grip positions and such and within minutes I was ready to go.

The Walker is exactly as I hoped and expected. I have used it for a daily walk, for an expedition into town and over some rough ground. I now use both depending on the purpose – Veloped for rough terrain and Walker for pavements. I’m looking forward to visiting some tourist attractions in the summer (e.g. Historic buildings and stately homes, etc.) where I imagine a Veloped would not be really welcome.

So here are some notes of comparison between the Veloped (AKA Country Beast) and the Walker (AKA Town Beast):

The Walker is not a Veloped. Although it works on rough ground (grass, beach, bumpy footpath, etc.) I prefer the sturdiness and strength of the Veloped in that context.

The Walker fits quite well in the back of my car (Vauxhall/Opel Zafira) although I am still getting used to easily loading it. But the principle of “fold and stow” is fine, I’ve just got to get used to aligning it! The Veloped needs partial dismantling (wheels off) before loading. OK, it’s easy to remove the wheels, but no fun when they’re muddy and wet!

Posture is different. The Walker is forcing me to stand more upright, (suggested in the manual!) while that is not so easy with the Veloped on rough ground in the woods.

The Walker does not manage kerbs and steps, etc. with the ease of the Veloped. You need to know that!

The Walker seat is the more comfortable of the two.

The basket on the Walker is slightly smaller. However, they both meet my needs as a photography hobbyist.

As with the Veloped, the Walker is seen by some as expensive. I can only say that the quality is worth it. In the UK, mobility aids such as walkers are exempt from VAT. At 20% that is a significant reduction which can be applied at the source.

Article written by Gwen M Ray,

I’ve been road testing these two beauties for the past couple years. I’ve also tested them on sidewalks, whatever grocery store floors are made of, gravel, sand, dirt, snow, and my personal favorite – crunchy leaves.

Walker Rollator - The True Premium Rollator

Veloped - a Modern Alternative to a Rollator

So, I can help you decide between the two. But the first thing you need to do is talk to your physical therapist or doctor to make sure a rollator-type walker (and the type of activity you intend to do with it) is right for you.

Once you’ve received the green light, it’s time to decide which Trionic walker will join you on your adventures. They each have their activities where they truly shine, so having both is awesome! But if you must pick one, you want to make sure it’s going to suit what you’ll be using it for the most. Read on to see whether you’ll be team Veloped or team Rollator.

Now, you may be thinking you don’t need to choose because you’re planning to get one now and one later. You figure busting out that coin will be the easiest way to decide which to get first. But not so fast.

Life is unpredictable. I never thought I’d need a walker in my forties, but here I am rockin’ some cool leg braces and strolling along behind whichever awesome set of wheels I’m using that day. If something happens and you can’t get the “tails” walker later, you want to make sure “heads” is going to cut it for the long haul.

Even if you’re planning to get both at the same time, you still should read on. Because unless you drive a bus and have a private jet, at some point you’re going to only be able to take one of them with you. I take both whenever I can, but sometimes there just isn’t enough room in our vehicle for both. In that case, I consider where I’m going and what I’ll be doing to make sure I choose the right one.

So, now that we’ve determined that EVERYBODY considering a Trionic walker should read this, let’s dive in!

Where does the Trionic Veloped like to go?

The Veloped loves all types of terrain. For major off-roading it can’t be beat! The cane holder comes in handy for a walking stick. If we encounter terrain, I can’t push it through, such as deep sand, my husband pushes it and I use the stick until we get to a good spot for me to take over again.

While I love the extra support the Veloped gives me on the move, it is equally great for resting. I can sit on the comfortable, padded seat anytime I get tyred. Before I got the Veloped, I didn’t want to go on long walks or hiking anymore because I dreaded tiring out and not having a place to sit. It took all the fun out of the outing. The seat especially comes in handy on the beach for taking off and putting on shoes.

The Veloped helps me a going up or down hills, as well as stepping down from curbs or up onto them. When climbing hills, I push the Veloped ahead of me, squeeze the brakes, then take a couple steps to catch up to it. Then repeat. Going downhill I use the brakes to keep from going too fast and for extra support. To descend curbs, I push just the front wheels of the Veloped over the edge, get the back wheels to the edge and hold the brakes while I step down. To go up curbs, I aim straight at the curb and push the front up onto it with the help of the climbing wheel. Then I squeeze the brakes as I use the Veloped for support as I step up onto the curb.

NOTE: Do not attempt any of the above maneuvers if you do not have a strong grip to squeeze the brakes.

The Veloped also likes to go the grocery store because it gets a lot of attention. However, it is a bit beefy for smaller shops and can be difficult to turn around in a tight bathroom. But it doesn’t mind staying outside if you lock it up to keep someone else from walking off with it. You can get a lock through Trionic.

When transporting the Veloped, it likes a bit more room than the Rollator. It can just fit into the back of our Toyota Highlander without removing any of the wheels. It folds down quite a bit, but it does require more space than the Trionic Rollator or a typical rollator. I would probably be able to load it into a vehicle that is lower to the ground – such as a minivan – myself.

It also weighs more than either the Trionic Rollator or typical rollators. I was able to load and unload it myself last year, but I probably won’t try it this year as my arms have gotten weaker. I also need to be careful not to hurt my back. But as hiking is an activity I enjoy with my family, I’m always with someone else who can do the loading and unloading.

Okay, so actually I can think of one place that the Veloped doesn’t like. It is not a fan of really off-camber surfaces. Because it only has essentially a single wheel in the front, it does tend to track to the side if you are on a trail or sidewalk that slopes a lot to one side. This is probably not a big deal for someone whose upper body strength is intact. For me, my arms will tyre out if there is a long stretch of off-camber path.

I have a couple of ways to mitigate this. If my Goldendoodle is with me, I switch him to the uphill side, drape his leash across the handlebars, and he balances it out. If he’s not with me, my husband pushes it and I hold onto his beltloop and use him as my support until it levels off. We look a little silly, but if there’s a steep drop off on the downhill side, I feel safer with my husband in control of it.

We do not encounter this too much, so it’s not a big problem. Most places we go are level enough to keep the Veloped happy, or only have brief spots here and there that it needs some help staying on track.

However, if you frequently walk somewhere that is very off camber, the Rollator might be a better option for you. It has four wheels in typical rollator configuration and a belt thingy in the front (see Trionic website for further details) that keeps the two front wheels rolling along in perfect synch.

Where does the Trionic Rollator like to go?

Almost anywhere! It’s happy to leave the super-rugged treks to the Veloped, but it can take on rough pavement, dirt, gravel, and even snow! It’s exceptionally smooth with the pneumatic tyres, no vibrations up your arms, even on rougher surfaces.

But where the rollator really shines is the city. It’s does great on rough asphalt and railroad tracks where typical rollators’ small, hard wheels come to a screeching halt. It also fits through narrow aisles in smaller shops yet has an ample basket to carry what you need and still have some room for smaller purchases.

The Rollator’s seat is not as deep as the Veloped’s, but the light and airy mesh serves its purpose well while my husband mulls over stepladders in Home Depot. The handle on the seat may prevent it from being comfortable for longer events, but it makes it super easy to quickly fold it up and toss it into your vehicle.

It’s also quite a bit lighter than the Veloped and folds up smaller. This makes the Trionic Rollator a good choice for people who are usually on their own and are lacking in upper-body strength. It easily fits into the back of our Highlander, and I can even put it behind the front passenger seat if I need to!

Team Veloped

You’ll get along great with the Veloped if you love the outdoors, hiking, walking on the beach, and/or live out in the sticks. If you can handle some rougher terrain but need a little help with balance, managing hills, and a place to sit, the Veloped is for you!

If you do choose the Veloped, be prepared to answer some questions. It gets noticed – in a good way – quite a bit.

With a typical rollator, I noticed people looking at me with pity and then looking away. It made me uncomfortable to go out with the regular walker.

When I’m using the Veloped, people look me in the eyes more and seem more comfortable around me. They are more likely to speak to me in general and will often ask about the walker. Walker users and non-walker users alike compliment the Veloped with a touch of envy in their voices.

Team Rollator

Everybody gets along great with the Trionic Rollator! It’s a super versatile, all-around walker. Even if you never leave man-made surfaces, the Trionic Rollator is comfortable, attractive, and solid. It won’t rattle over parking lots or slide on smooth floors when you apply the brakes. It can also take you over some rougher terrain if you need it to.

While the Rollator has a sleek, luxury walker look to it and does turn heads, it’s not a showstopper like the Veloped. The Trionic Rollator doesn’t trigger the dreaded pity reaction I used to get. It gives off a “nice piece of recreational equipment” vibe rather than a “medical device vibe.” I get occasional questions from other walker users who admire it, but otherwise, I feel like I blend in well.

Final Thoughts

A walker is a great device to increase your quality of life if you find yourself no longer wanting to get out due to weakness, fatigue, or instability. Trionic has great options to suit anyone.

Article written by Greg Cooley, Founder of 2LIV4

Denial

I guess it’s safe to say that I was in denial. I worked incredibly hard in therapy after my accident to be able to walk or balance on my feet long enough to move forward. However, I have enough scars on my face and head to prove that it was unreliable, to say the least. For years my mother tried to get me to use a walker, but I resisted and continued to tell myself I didn’t need one.

Mom Knows Best

Of course, nothing can stay the same forever, and one day at work, I took a nasty fall. The next day, my mom gave me an ultimatum — either I pick out a walker within two weeks, or she was going to choose one for me. Of course, I was still in denial and didn’t think she was serious. But two weeks later, keeping true to her word, she asked if I had found a walker I liked.

Finding the One

That afternoon, I jumped on the internet and started researching walkers. I didn’t want something that looked like a traditional walker, and after clicking on what felt like hundreds of them, I found one that I was willing to try. Later that night, when my mom called asking me to send her the details, I went with the Trionic Veloped.

Don’t Leave Home Without It!

The following week, the Trionic Veloped arrived at my house. It took me some time, but eventually, it became my American Express green card; in other words, “Don’t leave home without it!” I have put hundreds of miles on my Trionic Veloped and use it to carry everything from groceries to a fifty-pound bag of scuba equipment as well as the most valuable cargo of all, my two fur babies, Dexter and Chewy.

My Veloped has been all over the world, notably the Caribbean, South of France, Cuba, and Ireland. I have used it on the beach, up rocky trails, and over cobblestone, snow, and ice. Nothing good comes from a fall, but in this case, it led me to an exceptional walker!

Article written by Gwen M Ray,

The profound value of independent mobility first became clear to me as a young child. My mother was the director of a preschool for both disabled and non-disabled children.

One of my earliest memories is of a little girl, Marie (not her real name) at the preschool. She had muscular dystrophy. She could crawl around in the classroom on the carpet, but she had to be carried or pushed in a stroller everywhere else.

One day Marie arrived at school with a shiny metal contraption and braces on her legs with tan leather straps and silver buckles. It was the first time I saw walker.

Pushing her walker ahead of her, Marie was able to get around on her own. She could move about the classroom without the help of an adult. She could decide where she wanted to go and get there without having to ask someone to carry her.

Marie could even access much of the playground. Before she got her walker, she spent most of the outdoor playtime in the sandbox.

Marie’s walker gave her independence and allowed her to experience the world in ways she never had before.

But adults with new mobility challenges may feel like their world is closing in around them.

Losing mobility can mean a loss of independence. This can be devastating to a once active adult, especially if the cause is progressive and/or permanent.

Feeling isolated is common for adults facing new mobility challenges. You may stay home rather than go out with friends and family.

Feeling weak and burdensome is also common. You may need to ask others for help with things you used to be able to do on your own.

You are also likely to become a lot less active. Inactive muscles grow weaker. If your condition is progressive, not using your muscles may lead to total loss of independent mobility very quickly.

A walker can give you back some independence.

1. Maintain muscles for longer

Muscles need regular work to maintain strength. Although many conditions are progressive, it is often possible to slow the decline with appropriate exercise.

Walking is generally a great form of exercise for most people. I tyre quickly if I walk unaided, and I also may fall. A rollator gives me the stability and support I need to go longer distances. It also provides me with a seat to take a rest when needed.

I have adult-onset muscular dystrophy. With regular exercise that includes walking, I have not only slowed the progression of my muscle loss, but I have also regained a little strength. Because of this, I can still walk unaided for shorter distances around my home. I am safe to stay at home by myself as well as go out wherever I need to unaccompanied.

2. Do your own shopping (and avoid germs)

I don’t feel safe walking around a store on my own unless I have my walker with me. I could lose my balance and fall or become fatigued and need to sit down.

I can put quite a few grocery items in the basket of my walker. This is usually all I need if I have pick something up when I happen to be in town on my own. If I’m with my husband on the weekend, we can divide the shopping list and meet back up at checkout.

I much prefer using my walker over one of those electric carts available in many stores. I like to see people’s faces or the backs of their heads as I go about my shopping, not midsections and butts.

Plus, I’m I lousy driver when it comes to those carts. When I do have to use one, people usually run in fear. There’s a lot of crashing, beeping, and colorful language as I attempt to navigate around produce and small children.

COVID also made me realize how nice it was to have my own mobility device out in public. I mean do you really think all those carts are being disinfected after each use? And do the little sanitary wipes actually work on the pitted and torn foam of the handlebars?

I feel much better using a device only myself and my family touch. I also carry hand sanitizer, spare masks and other small items in the handy zippered pocket.

3. Get around at home by yourself

I’ve done a good job of maintaining my muscles by walking and engaging in other exercise that my physical therapist has recommended for me. Because of this, I can move around within my home without a mobility device.

Outside my house I can use my walker for walks, getting the mail, or carrying packages up the driveway.

4. Hold hands walking only if you want to

Don’t get me wrong, I love to hold my husband’s hand for walks on the beach, moonlight strolls, and other mushy stuff like that.

Other times it’s nice to be able to walk by myself. Like when it’s hot and our hands are sweaty. Or after my husband fails to wolf down his dipped ice cream cone before it melts all over his hands (I get my ice cream in a dish and eat it with a spoon like a civilized person).

I can even stomp off in a huff with the aid of my walker if the mood strikes me.

5. Outlast your significant other at the hardware store

I used to DREAD going to Home Depot with my husband.

I would stick close to him, afraid of losing my balance and falling. We would slowly meander up and down almost every aisle while he eyeballed bolts and contemplated light fixtures. Before I got my walker, I almost had to sit on the floor in the plumbing aisle once because my legs were so fatigued.

Now I could hang out there all day. I am not afraid to wander off by myself and look at houseplants or appliances. Hey, what’s up with a smart refrigerator anyhow?

Or I can find a nice place to park my walker and sit. I can watch people go by or pull out my tablet for a game of solitaire or to research smart refrigerators. So, it turns out some of them have cameras to look inside and see what you have while you’re at the grocery store.

Count me in! My husband does most of the grocery shopping on his way home from work, so I’m what looks inside the fridge to see what we need. On long grocery expeditions he may text or call me every five minutes asking me to go see if we have this or that.

6. Release your inner child

Remember getting a new bicycle when you were a kid? It was thrilling, right? Your new wheels gave you more independence, taking you places you couldn’t go before. Getting a shiny new walker feels much the same way:

Bike: Leading up to going to the bicycle shop to pick it up, I imagined all the adventures I would have with it. I would imagine the places I would ride with my friends and the accessories I would add – bell, basket, streamers.

Walker: Leading up to it being delivered by UPS, I imagined all the adventures I would have with it (especially when I got my all-terrain Trionic Veloped), the places I would hike with my family, and the accessories I would add – air horn (there be mountain lions in these woods), basket – wait it already has one, and it’s really big! I skipped the streamers because, well, I’m a bit more mature these days (although I did put Christmas lights on my Trionic Rollator this Christmas).

Bike: When I brought it home, I tested the speed (and brakes) by careening down a steep hill. I stuffed my neighbor between the handlebars to take her for a ride and took off down the road to go to the park.

Walker: When UPS dropped it off, I tested the brakes by walking down our driveway (my speed demon days ended after I did a faceplant off my first 10-speed at the age of 14). I stuffed my dog in the basket to take him for a ride (he jumped out before I could even release the brakes) and put it in the back of the car to take it up to the accessible trail on London Peak.

7. Maintain muscles for longer

Yes, I know this was number one, but it is so important it counts twice. Move it or lose it people – this cannot be stressed enough.

Many people with progressive conditions get electric mobility scooters or power wheelchairs way to soon. By doing so they lose years of independent ambulation and add years of dependence on others.

Mobility scooters and power chairs don’t allow you to use your muscles. They’re also big, heavy, and difficult to transport.

There are many places it is much easier and more convenient to take even a regular rollator. If you get an all-terrain walker such as the Trionic Rollator, the places you can go increases. With a Trionic Veloped the world opens to you even wider.

There are more than enough places my Veloped can go to satisfy my need to get out into the great outdoors.

If you find yourself staying at home to avoid walking, it might be time to consider a walker. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist to make sure you choose the right device for your situation. It is also important to learn to use it properly so you can reap all the benefits of walking.

Many people may be afraid that if they start using a mobility device, they will become dependent on it and give up walking unaided. This is most likely NOT the case. Although again, it is important to seek the guidance of medical professionals for your condition.

I use a walker when I need to walk for extended periods, on rougher terrain where I could lose my balance, or when my body is very fatigued. Without them I would be much less mobile and would likely have lost more muscle and stamina. I would be very limited in where I could go.

I have maintained enough strength and stamina to go without a walker where it is inconvenient or impossible to use.

Walkers are tools to aid me in my quest to stay mobile for as long as possible.

I love feeling sand beneath my feet. I enjoy walking through snow. A favorite seasonal activity of mine is crunching dried leaves and madrone bark under my feet (bonus points if I can roll over them with the front Veloped wheel). And oh, how I love rumbling over wooden bridges (a walker is required to get the rumble effect).

Just as Marie’s walker did for her, my walkers give me independence and allow me to experience the world in ways I never have before.

If you have taken your last injection of covid vaccine, it is now time to resume your daily everyday exercise. Maybe plan a daily walk with a close friend you haven't met in a long time.

Walking is a fantastic way to keep active and maintain a healthy heart as it is fun, flexible, and free. 

Challenge yourself this summer and download our 12-week training program. Start calmly and increase gradually. One step at a time. The training program begins week 1 with you walking a little more than you usually do. Try walking to the next bus stop instead, or back and forth to the shop. At the same time, you can take the opportunity to get acquainted with your walker or Trionic Veloped.

We aim to exercise at least 3 times a week, so after 12 weeks of training, you will be able to better enjoy your newfound freedom and seek new adventures even further from home.

Walking works wonders

Walking is such an ordinary activity that most people take it for granted. But in fact, it‘s an excellent natural exercise that can help you stay healthy and live longer, control your weight, keep happy, enjoy time with friends and family, learn more about your local or holiday destination area and even look after the environment.

Walking for a total of 30 minutes a day meets the minimum recommendations for physical activity.

Two things at once

Another great thing about walking is that it lets you do two things at once. While you‘re getting the healthy exercise you can; spend time walking and talking with your friends and training companions, challenge your partner for a game of golf or explore your surroundings.

Talking while walking actually helps you exercise at the right intensity. For the best fitness and fat-burning effect, you should keep a brisk pace but still be able to hold a conversation. So apart from being good company, your walking companion is also your very own pulse-meter.

12-week plan

Learn more about the benefits of walking, discover the hidden spaces of your neighborhood and follow the 12-week walking plan.

You start out slow and as you get the pace up you can advance to brisk walks until you manage a healthy 30 minutes every time. The goal is a daily 30-minute walk with your Trionic Veloped or Walker, but in the beginning, take it slow as there is no rush. Your total effort doesn‘t have to be done in one walk, it can also be split into two or three shorter walks. And always remember that every step counts!

Click here to download the 12-week Veloped Walking Program

Brisk is best

For the best exercise effect, walk briskly so that you get your heartbeat up. Take deep breaths that fill your lungs to get the best recuperation. But don’t walk faster than you can still talk and hold a conversation. This is a good intensity level and it’s also a little more sociable and enjoyable when you are able to talk to your fellow walkers.

Photos by Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

Read all about her journey and why she believes walking saved her life in San Antonio San Antonio Express-News.

The Old Spanish Trail transcontinental highway

The Old Spanish Trail transcontinental highway was one of the most prominent and persistent American auto trails. It connects the old Spanish colonial towns of St. Augustine, Florida on the Atlantic coast and San Diego, California on the Pacific. The OST highway passes through some of America's best tourist destinations including St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Mobile, New Orleans, San Antonio, Tombstone, Tucson and San Diego.

Article written by Gwen M Ray,

It makes no sense. I mean, who feels guilty about the money they spend on a pair of glasses? I need two pairs, regular glasses and computer glasses, and they aren’t cheap. Progressive lenses for distant, middle, and near vision are expensive. But I like to see, so I fork over whatever insurance doesn’t cover and don’t look back.

I like to walk without falling on my face too. So why did I feel guilty about using some of our hard-earned cash on a walker?

Maybe it was because I remembered spending that kind of money in the past on fun stuff for shared activities. Like when we got recumbent bicycles. We enjoyed those bikes for years, pulling our kids in trailers until they were big enough to ride their own bikes.

I couldn’t really see a walker being as much fun.

But my physical therapist encouraged me to get one. She suggested an all-terrain walker based on where I live and what activities I used to enjoy.

I was hesitant, but then I thought about our most recent nature walks. My husband would walk beside me, his face pinched. He would be busy worrying about me falling. I would be concentrating on not falling. Neither one of us would enjoy the surroundings. I would also tyre easily and be desperate to get back to the car so I could sit down.

I felt like a burden needing help with things I used to do with ease. But I wanted to try to keep hiking as long as I could. I didn’t want to get left behind when the whole family would go for walks around the neighborhood when we visited my in-laws.

So my husband and I researched walkers, looking for something that could handle more than just the grocery store. We chose the Trionic Veloped Trek.

Totally. Worth. Every. Penny.

When I had to write a short piece on what my “why” is for becoming a writer, my new walker inspired me to write this for my opening:

I push my all-terrain walker down the dirt trail, aiming for dried leaves and delighting in the crunching sound they make as the large rubber tyres roll over them. My husband laughs at how easily amused I am and reaches out to hold my hand where it rests on the grippy, grey rubber of the walker's handlebar.

I tip my head back to look up at the blue sky contrasted against the dark green of towering trees. I breathe in the earthy smell of dirt and decaying vegetation.

I take in everything, enjoying each moment. I see my husband, carefree and happy. His incredible smile always makes my heart flutter, even 26 years after I first saw it light up his face.

I mean, who would ever think a piece of mobility equipment would inspire that? It certainly wasn’t the scene that popped into my head when I imagined myself with a walker!

My favorite part of that excerpt? “I see my husband, carefree and happy.”

More Quality Time Together

We all want to spend time with our loved ones. Playing cards and board games can be fun, but it’s also nice to get outside with family and go for a walk.

If you have a mobility issue, you can tell your family and friends, “I’m fine staying here, you go have fun,” until you are blue in the face. They won’t believe you anymore than you believe yourself.

Putting that on your loved ones is a burden. Spending some money on a walking aid so you can join them is a gift.

Sure, you might not be able to do everything they’re doing, but you’ll still have fun. That idea that it makes people who can’t scramble over boulders or run in the waves sad to see other people do it is a bunch of malarky. People are sad sitting at home alone. Watching a loved one take a tumble in a wave and get a faceful of sand is entertaining (when they come up laughing of course). Plus, the wind in your face and the smell of the ocean is just as enjoyable from behind a walker.

My husband on the Sky Trail at The Trees of Mystery in Klamath, California taken from the seat of my Trionic Veloped.

Would I have gone up there myself 5 or 6 years ago when I was still able to? Probably.

Did I regret not being able to go now? Yes, for like two seconds. I was enjoying myself too much for it to bother me beyond that.

Would I have enjoyed being there without my Trionic Veloped? No.

Would my husband have enjoyed going into the Trees of Mystery without me? We were on our anniversary trip, so that would be a hard no!

Did he enjoy himself as much as I did? One hundred percent yes!

Peace of Mind

Although we all enjoy spending time with our loved ones, we also need space sometimes. It can be hard to see someone you care about struggle with mobility issues. Your loved one may be afraid to leave your side when you are out and about. This can leave you feeling frustrated and burdensome.

You might want to tell them not to worry about you. But you may also be afraid of going it alone. The thought of falling in front of a bunch of strangers is scary.

The appropriate walking aid can give you both the confidence you need to venture away from each other sometimes.

In the grocery store you can divvy up the shopping list. You can go separate ways at the mall to buy each other Christmas gifts. You can enjoy a more leisurely stroll while your loved one takes the dog for a little run.

Improved Mood

Let’s be honest…no longer being able to get around the way you used to can make you a bit, well, cranky. Your friends and family love you, but they might not love being around you if you’re spending too much time moping around the house.

It turns out that both exercise and spending time in nature can improve mood. You can do both of these things – at the same time even – using a walking aid.

Moods, good or bad, are infectious. Think about it, when was the last time the people close to you were walking around with big smiles on their faces while you were harboring a strong urge to punch someone?

If you want your loved ones to be happy, you need to be happy. They won’t be able to be happy if you’re miserable.

Getting outside in the fresh air and exercising is a guaranteed mood lifter. Whatever can help you do this is worth it, you’re worth it, and I’m sure your loved ones will agree.

Better Health

It is a well-known fact that physical activity is critical to staying healthy. It can be hard to stay physically active when you are dealing with mobility issues, but it is very important that you find a way. The right walking aid can help you get out and move more.

Improving your physical health along with your mood (see above) can mitigate symptoms. It can help you maintain what mobility you do have for longer. Regular exercise will also improve your stamina.

Just as your loved one’s health matters to you, your health matters to them. Taking care of your health is something you should do for yourself, but it’s also something you should do for your loved ones.

Agate Beach in Newport, Oregon. I was able to walk and talk with my husband without having to concentrate on what my feet were doing. I could look around and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds without losing my balance and falling.

Sadly, we did not see any whales. We did, however, see some bald eagles!

It was not accessible to the Veloped due to a couple flights of stairs. But because I have been walking regularly with my walker, I built up my stamina and even increased my muscles a bit (no small feat for somebody with muscular dystrophy). I was able to go with my husband’s assistance. It was a more challenging workout for me, but well worth it! My husband and I both enjoyed it immensely.

Healthier Relationships

Better health, improved mood, peace of mind for the whole family, and more quality time together all lead to healthier relationships with loved ones.

For someone with mobility issues, the key to all those important factors is having the right walking aid. You aren’t going to get out enough and stay active if you can’t do it safely.

As we get older, we start to become afraid of falling. This isn’t a big deal when you have good balance and are strong enough to safely support yourself as you move about. But if you have any type of mobility problem, be it weakness, chronic pain, poor balance or impaired stamina, falling becomes a real concern.

For someone who is older or who has a progressive condition, injury from a fall may mean permanent loss of the ability to walk – with or without a walking aid. At that point, a wheelchair becomes necessary, most likely a power wheelchair (which will cost you a heck of a lot more than any walking aid).

If you’re staying home more and becoming sedentary due to mobility issues, the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to get an appropriate walking aid. A physical therapist is the best medical professional to help you choose the right one, as well as make sure you know how to use it properly.

With a walking aid as your trusty sidekick, you and your family will be able to get out and enjoy life together again.

At Trionic, we have collected our favorite virtual walks. We have come up with eleven lovely trails where you can enjoy nature from your sofa. And once you are ready, you can take your Veloped and hit the trails yourself. So, let's get inspired.

"I've never at any point thought I've got Parkinson's so I can't do this." Matt Eagles. 

Matt inspires everyone he meets. This is Matt's story of living with Parkinson’s.

We at Trionic are happy to see that Matt is using the Veloped everyday now, benefitting from all the unique features.

I am so incredibly grateful to you guys and Charlotte and Russ at Parkinson’s Concierge for the Veloped. It was a complete surprise and I had absolutely no idea that my wife had been arranging with Charlotte and Russ that they would deliver it personally! I have to say ...for once I was speechless!! I could have cried!! 

Matt describes the benefits he is been seeing so far:

• I use it every day , it has given me more confidence to go out and about when my walking isn’t so good when previously I would have stayed in.
• It has helped my posture
• I feel so proud walking with it, I actually feel like an athlete ready for the Olympics ( wish I was !! ) . Passers by stop me and ask about it!

Matt with the Honda team in the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park race track in Cheshire

The physio was very impressed with the Veloped as were the riders! Who said it looked “ proper trick “ which is a real compliment

I will get Viv to film me in Delamere forest with it as there are some great trails there , its only down the road. I am also testing it at Oulton Park during the British Superbike meeting where I shall go all over the circuit with it! I will also be wearing my 'Im not pissed ive got Parky’s t-shirt' The riders and the general public and I love it !! Thank you soooo much once again guys.

Forever in your debt

Matt Eagles, Head of Patient Engagement, Havas Lynx

What can you tell us about yourself?

I'm Johanne, a 38 year old Para equestrian dressage rider. I have mobility problems due to being left with nerve damage to my legs after major spinal surgery. Despite this, I'm still a very active person. I look after, ride and compete my 2 horses, and also enjoy going camping and hill walking with my partner and our dog, Ness. I usually walk with a stick, and I often found it awkward when it came to crossing muddy, uneven terrain. So, I went on the hunt for something to help make life a bit easier for me. I needed something that would be practical, easy to use, and that could cope with the rough, uneven ground of Scottish hills, as well as fields and stable yards etc - that's when I found the Trionic Veloped!

What made you chose the Veloped Trek 14er?

I choose the Veloped Trek 14er as it is most suited to my requirements, and the larger wheels makes it easier to manoeuvre over difficult terrain. It actually surpasses all my expectations! Not only is it easy to use, it has a very handy basket, 2 detachable bags, and it looks a lot more modern than your run of the mill rollators! My partner is so impressed with it, he wants to take it with him next time he goes fishing! Its just so versatile!

What have you been able to do with your Veloped Trek 14er that you initially did not think you could do?

Having the Veloped really has opened new doors for me. No longer do I have to struggle when out walking, I can stop and take a rest whenever I like, by just sliding the seat forward, and the Veloped does the carrying so I don't have to! I can use it to move heavy haynets at the barn, even carry heavy saddles and feed buckets back and forth, it's made my life that bit easier - really wish I'd gotten one sooner!

What’s next for you and your Veloped, have you anything special planned?

I'm competing in the RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Scottish Championships in October, and my Veloped will be coming with me! It'll mean I can keep all my gear close to hand, and save trips back and forth to the lorry. I also hope to qualify for the RDA National Championships in Hartpury again next year, where I know the Veloped will be indispensable!

Johannes horse approves the new Veloped

Loriot is going in for a nibble

Bobkat is checking that the gear is safe.