Alex can access all of his home and the world at large using his stairclimbing wheelchair.
For over a decade, 28-year-old Alex Yates lived within the confines of his adapted ground-floor space, unable to explore the rest of his Victorian home in Yorkshire or venture outside with ease.
His scoliosis and complex mobility needs made navigating the multi-level house and steep driveway nearly impossible. His access was limited.
Today, Alex’s world has opened up – thanks to a thoughtful combination of assistive technology and collaborative problem-solving.
With the help of AAT’s C-Max stairclimber and Comfortable Plus Duo vacuum posture cushion, and the expertise of Kirklees Council, Alex can now access all of his home and enjoy outings with his family.
The challenge
Alex’s home spans four floors, with multiple staircases and steps leading to a shared, sloped driveway.
Until recently, he had never seen any rooms beyond the ground floor. To leave the house, his family had to lay down pallets to create a makeshift ramp, transfer him into the car, and then remove the ramp to maintain access for neighbours – a time-consuming and physically demanding process.
Occupational Therapist Jessica Johnson from Kirklees Council was struggling to find a safe and practical access solution. She consulted Mark Hughes, the Council’s Moving & Handling Specialist, who identified a potential answer: a C-Max stairclimber that had been stored unused after being purchased for another client.
The access solution
Together with AAT, Jessica and Mark visited Alex’s home to assess the equipment’s suitability. Given Alex’s complex seating needs, AAT recommended pairing the C-Max with the Stabilo Comfortable Plus Duo cushion to ensure proper posture and support during transfers.
We have turned ‘can’t’ into ‘can,’ so Alex can access his home and explore the world outside!
The impact
“It’s literally been life-changing – the whole world has opened up for Alex,” says Jess Gage, Alex’s main caregiver.
“We used to carry him up and down stairs, but that was no longer safe. He’s never even seen his sisters’ rooms! Now, with the C-Max, it’s so easy to move him around the house and even go out. The Stabilo cushion is amazing – it keeps him comfortable and secure. He just giggles with joy every time we move him.”
Mark Hughes adds, “The combination of the C-Max and Stabilo cushion provided the postural support Alex needed to safely access and exit his home. It eliminated the risks associated with previous transfer methods and allowed Alex to remain in the home he loves, with a renewed sense of independence.”
About the equipment
- C-Max Stairclimber: A portable, battery-powered stairclimbing wheelchair with an integral seat, designed to safely transport individuals up to 140kg (22st) up and down stairs. It features:
– Adjustable handle height
– Safety straps and high balance point for secure transfers
– Patented ComfortStep technology for smooth, step-by-step movement
– Operator-controlled speed and pause functions
– Up to 300 steps per battery charge - Comfortable Plus Duo Cushion: A vacuum posture cushion that stabilises the head, torso, hips, and pelvis. It can be quickly reshaped to meet changing needs, reducing the risk of pressure sores and eliminating delays associated with custom-moulded seating. It’s also transferable to other seating environments – even the bath.
Our commitment
We offer free, no-obligation assessments of the client, environment, and occupation for all its equipment. Each solution is tailored to the user, with full setup and training provided for caregivers.
To learn more or book an assessment, please visit: www.aatgb.com/c-max
You may also be interested in: https://www.aatgb.com/comfortable-plus-duo