To whom it may concern:

(Your name) has been a patient of mine for (X) years and suffers from chronic progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Over the years, the illness has progressed to the point where she no longer has use of her lower extremities. Due to the pervasive MS symptoms of fatigue, rigidity and balance difficulty, she has become totally dependent on a wheelchair. Previously, being intermittently confined to a wheelchair, a manual chair was all that had been required for safety and mobility assistance. Her prior ability for limited walking with a walker is no longer an option. This causes an unnecessary dependence.

The LifeStand Compact is a power chair equipped with a standing device. Standing is something (your name) can no longer do on her own, nor safely do even with family/attendant assistance. The LifeStand Compact wheelchair will enable her to maintain optimal health while dealing with the degenerative neurological disease.

A standing apparatus at this time provides numerous health benefits:

• increased muscle tone, thus decreasing spasticity
• increased ease of respiration, over the past year she has begun experiencing breathing difficulties
• increased cardiovascular conditioning (shifting from sitting to standing) promoting higher level of physical endurance
• better digestion and motility (lengthening and stretching of trunk, combined with the effect of gravity, provide greater efficiency)
• skin protection as the result of the ability to independently shift body weight
• Independence in stretching hamstrings and hip flexors.
• Independence in the home and community.

Effectively providing optimal healthcare for (your name) long-term health concerns while maintaining the current level of neurological health is imperative. These difficulties can be addressed effectively through standing and should be viewed as cost savings through maintenance issue. I am confident that her long-term prognosis is better the sooner we can provide her with the equipment that aids in the ability to stand safely.

With the power chair and ability to stand, either to stretch independently or to reach items, (your name) can be left alone for longer periods of time, reducing needed attendant care. This chair will provide greater mobility, independence and increased self-esteem. Raising physical endurance will give (your name) more energy to spend time with her husband and her child resulting in a better future medical picture.

Sincerely,

Your Doctor