After an accident, Norman sustained a high spinal cord injury. During his rehabilitation, he had one important goal: to return to his job as an instructor at the police academy. His first wheelchair turned out to be unsuitable for the varying terrains on the training grounds. At 2KERR, he discovered the Genny Zero. With support from UWV, he found a solution that allows him to fully perform his job again.
After an accident at home, Norman (56) sustained a high spinal cord injury. During his rehabilitation, he had a clear goal: to recover as much as possible and return to his job as a police instructor. Achieving that proved more challenging than expected with his first wheelchair until he encountered the Genny Zero.
Norman works as an instructor at the police academy. A role in which he conducts training sessions that often take place outdoors, from risk management to shooting exercises. For that, he needs to be able to maneuver over large training grounds with grass, gravel, sand, curbs, and other varying surfaces.
After his accident, an intensive rehabilitation program began. For four months, Norman stayed at the clinic, where his days were filled with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, swimming training, and walking training.
His commitment paid off. After about six months, he was able to walk small distances again. But for his work, a wheelchair remained necessary.
Indoors, Norman managed fairly well with his wheelchair. However, on the police training grounds, he encountered its limitations.
“The chair I received through the WMO was too large and bulky. I couldn’t do anything with it.”
For Norman, this was not a reason to give up his job. He searched for an alternative that would allow him to move quickly and easily over different surfaces. That’s how he ended up at 2KERR.
During a test morning at 2KERR, Norman tried out various options. The Genny Zero turned out to be the best fit for what he needed.
The balance wheelchair is lightweight and maneuverable and is controlled by body movement. For Norman, it was especially important that he could drive it over the varied terrain of his work environment and that he could easily transport the wheelchair.
“The control is super easy, and it’s so light that I can lift it in and out of the adapted van myself. It moves effortlessly through sand and gravel and over grass, hills, and curbs.”
He notices the difference not only at work.
“In the old chair, I felt sorry for myself; in this one, I feel seen.”
Also, the reactions from his students are encouraging. They are particularly impressed with what he can do with his balance wheelchair. “Wow, what a cool thing,” he often hears.
The Genny Zero was a good fit for Norman, but the purchase price posed a new challenge. Since he needed the balance wheelchair to perform his job, UWV came into play.
His contact person from UWV shadowed him for a morning at work to see for herself what Norman faced during a typical workday. It became clear why a suitable wheelchair was necessary for him to continue performing his role. The balance wheelchair could then be obtained with support from UWV.
Since June 1, Norman has been working 38 hours a week again, in the same role as before his accident.
“I love it. Sitting at home is not for me. After a long day of work, I’m often not even tired.”
His story shows how much difference it can make when not only is it considered whether someone needs a wheelchair, but especially what someone wants and needs to be able to do with it.
For Norman, that meant being able to move around the training ground, give his training sessions, and fully resume his work as a police instructor.
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