I have CMT – Charcot-Marie-Tooth, also known as HMSN. CMT is a generic term that encompasses over 150 genetic abnormalities affecting the nerves. It is also referred to as hereditary neuropathies.
Nerve conduction is reduced – not only motorically, but also sensorily, including proprioception. This affects the nerve signals that inform the movement control system about the position of different body parts (like the feet) and the angle they form relative to the rest of the body, for example, if the ground is sloped.
As a result, maintaining balance is really difficult. The single-leg support phase, necessary for walking, is a real challenge.
That’s where the Wheeleo® helps me. I always have stable support by my side.
Sometimes, my right leg gives way. I can then transfer weight to the Wheeleo® on the left, and it has never rolled away on its own!
When I walk with sticks, I need one stick on the right and one on the left. With the Wheeleo®, I have one hand free.
With sticks, I also experience joint and shoulder pain, as the tips hit the ground hard and the vibrations reverberate through my body. It’s much better with the Wheeleo®.
I particularly enjoy using it for clothes shopping. The Wheeleo® remains stable while I move hangers or touch fabrics to check if they are indeed cotton.
I am active in patient advocacy and regularly speak in public. The Wheeleo – even though it’s heavier than sticks and less convenient to load into the car – accompanies me everywhere. I gladly take it to conferences and events. I feel elegant and modern with it; it sparks curiosity, and most importantly, it supports me when I need it, while leaving my hands free when necessary.
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