Glasgow based healthcare start-up wheelAIR are supporting patients of Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit.  

wheelAIR are offering each member of the Glasgow Inter-Spinal Games team the opportunity to use their innovative, self-cooling backrest cushion. This is so the team can benefit from it whilst taking part in WheelPower’s Inter-Spinal games this April.

They met the eight members of the team and presented at an information event at the Spinal Unit alongside Wellspect Healthcare, who are sponsoring by providing the team’s kit.

National wheelchair sport charity, WheelPower, organise and host the Inter-Spinal Games which take place at their headquarters, Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury.

From the 16^th – 20^th of April, the games host 100 patients and 60 support staff from 14 Spinal Injury Centres and Specialist Units across the United Kingdom.

Patients receive coaching and demonstrations from current leading wheelchair athletes and coaches in a variety of sports.

Michael Kerr, who is both wheelAIR’s and Wellspect’s brand ambassador, commented “I can say from when I competed in the Inter Spinal Games 18 years ago after my spinal cord injury that they were a pivotal moment in my recovery. Being around so many other people in a similar position and trying new sports really helped me feel positive and plan for my future.”

The games form an essential part of many patient's rehabilitation - they are sometimes their first time outside a hospital or home environment since their injury.

The wheelAIR can be a key tool in accelerating recovery after a spinal injury. The backrest contains inbuilt fan technology to subtly cool the users back and reduce their core temperature by taking away excess heat and moisture.

Temperature regulation can be at its most erratic during rehabilitation, and continued physiotherapy and recovery activities elevate temperature even more. This not only causes discomfort but can lead to more serious health ailments associated with hyperthermia.

The wheelAIR can help prevent any temperate related complications and ensure the user can focus maximum energy into their rehabilitation.

Not only this, the wheelAIR offers far more support than current backrests because of the viscoelastic foams used. The foam reacts to body temperature, moulding exactly around the shape of the back and immediately enhancing posture without the need for an intrusive structure.

Corien Staels, CEO of wheelAIR, said: “We love the fact we can support Glasgow’s spinal team and it was fantastic to meet them at the information evening. We hope that the wheelAIR will make each of their experiences of the games that bit more comfortable and they can get the most out of it.”

wheelAIR, Wellspect and Michael Kerr will attend the games later this month in support of the Glasgow team.