Quality of life enhancing machine

Having a physical disability, transferring can play a big role in life. The piece of technology that helps me transfer is a Hoyer lift. A Hoyer lift looks like a crane with four wheels and a mesh sling. Buttons can lift me up or down and I can swing freely from side to side. Once hooked up, I can be transferred by a helper.

Before the lift came into my life, family or helpers would throw me around like a sack of potatoes. In the morning, I would get transferred from my bed to my powerchair.  Same with showering, or the washroom.  These tasks were completed relatively quickly.  As I matured, it became very awkward and difficult to move me from place to place.  

When I first started using the lift, there was a big learning curve. There may be only six straps and one sling, but not placing the straps in the proper order can cause me discomfort and stress.  Either, I end up laying down in the sling or sideways. This makes it almost impossible for me to be positioned properly. Additionally, I also had no idea that it was going to take several minutes to get from my powerchair to my destination.  When I have to use the washroom “right now”, things can get dicey. Also, my legs and feet can get bumped or jammed up against the lift. It is very important that, I watch out for my “man parts.”  The straps and sling can very quickly squish the important parts. I have a very high pain threshold, but this pushes it to its limit.  

The lift will be a part of everyday life, for the rest of my days. Not only does it provide me, with freedom and the ability to transfer from place to place with ease. The lift allows me to work with any type of individual. No experience is needed because a helper can be taught and learn as we go.

With my disability going on overnight trips, used to be almost impossible. Before having the lift, I would need to get transferred manually by my helper’s strength from my chair to the bed or washroom. This was very awkward and cumbersome, and frankly dangerous.  There have been times, I had to sleep in my powerchair the entire night, as my helper could not get me in the hotel bed.  Today, my portable Hoyer lift has opened many doors when it comes to travelling.
Having a physical disability, movement can be tiring and difficult. Even though I cannot take walking steps, they’re many steps that take place in my everyday life. 

Alex Lytwyn