(Written by a PT)

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is to recommend a LifeStand wheelchair for (your name). (Your name) has already suffered one urinary tract infection. This chair will enable him to stand and in that process relieve the pressure from his bladder and allow it to drain naturally and freely, thus eliminating future bladder infections. These infections can be very painful, causing the person to be bedridden for weeks at a time. They can also be costly to correct, especially if the infection reaches the kidneys. (Your name) has no feelings below his waist that makes it impossible for him to tell if he is getting an infection or not. He has been lucky so far just too have had only one such infection. Every time an infection occurs it weakens the bladder a little more. If he has too many infections the bladder will be left inoperative which would end up being very costly.

Pressure ulcers are another real concern to paraplegicís. As I stated previously, he has no feelings from the waist down so he can not tell when his buttocks are falling asleep (due to restriction of blood flow). People who are not paraplegic can feel this and can shift their weight in their chair or stand to relieve this feeling and promote proper blood flow to the area. It is like riding in a vehicle for several hours and feeling the need to stretch. (Your name) can not determine this because of his condition. Pressure ulcers can require extended stays in the hospital because of the time they require to heal. The LifeStand wheelchair can prevent these ulcers.

Foot drop is another concern for the paraplegic. This develops from not being able to stand. Foot drop occurs when the Achilles tendon contracts from non use (standing) and the only way to correct the problem when it happens is surgery and rehabilitation. With the ability to stand this problem can be avoided because as he stands it will keep the tendons stretched and limber.

Bone deterioration is another concern. Just like everything else, if they are not being used (weight bearing) they will lose their tone and become soft and brittle as time goes on. The LifeStand wheelchair will ensure that this will not become a problem for him.

Spasticity is the last problem that I will give reference to. All paraplegics suffer from this problem. This is when, from non use (standing, weight bearing) the ligaments and muscles in the legs and joints begin to contract. The exercises that he does on a daily basis are simply not enough to correct this problem.

To help with this problem he would need to go to a physical therapist every day for the rest of his life for one to two hours per day for extensive stretching and therapy for range of motion.

Spasticity restricts his range of motion and hampers his day to day living in simple things such as getting dressed and transferring in and out of his wheelchair. The LifeStand wheelchair would relieve his spasms because the passive standing would promote the all important stretching effect that non paraplegicís get every time they stand or walk.

I have endorsed the LifeStand wheelchair for four years now because I have witnessed the capability it has to reduce all of the problems that were touched on in this letter. There are many more positive things both physically and mentally that a user of this chair can benefit from.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

__(name of PT)___Physical Therapist