Naidex – Disability Show, Style is Hard to Find – But Robotic Exoskeleton Saves the Day

I and the American Lieutenant ventured on a two hour drive to Birmingham last week to see Naidex National as it “celebrated its 40th Birthday in style” – let us be the judge of that. I was not expecting much and the first impression was ‘Oh no not more grey.’…..that was just the NEC Hall and their disabled toilets, of which there weren’t enough as the queue was testament too.

However, on closer inspection of the stands there were some interesting exceptions & here they are:

First to catch my eye was a RollerScoot, an alternative walking aid that allows you to stand and move. It folds, is light and has a built-in seat for a rest between journeys. We didn’t try it but I think I’d have bought one when I was still walking with a stick. No price yet but will let you know, see how it works below..

Next we met the Blue Badge Company who supply wallets for your blue badge at an average cost of £10-£12. Not bad but I’d prefer a leather version which is apparently too costly to develop. In lieu of a leather one I chose this as my favourite even though it’s a kids version:

 We also went to Da Vinci Mobility whom we’ve mentioned before as they produce bespoke wheelchairs, hand cycles and car adaptations.​ I particularly want these wheels as they will update my rather old fashioned looking wheelchair and I can have them in whatever colour I choose, I’m thinking BBS white or blue?? They cost in the region of £300 each.

Next on our travels was a stand publicising ‘Barrier Free Germany’, from the German National Tourist Office. They offer a number of accessible experiences in Germany – from sightseeing to outdoor activities such as a trip to the Eifel National Park which offers “cycling and walking.. farm holidays, camping and geologically-themed tours for the disabled”. Lovely as a geologically themed holiday sounds I think Berlin, EU City of Access 2013, is still top of the list based on our previous research reviewed here. I have high hopes for Barrier Free Germany as they have good style credentials when it comes to disability i.e. the best disabled bathroom equipment in Hewi, the best looking crutches in Ossenberg & Kowsky and cool prosthetics & wheelchairs from Otto Bock. In addition our budget visit to Berlin also proved to be accessible & cool. Barrier Free Germany boasts that Germany is

“second in Europe for the amount of Michelin Stars awarded to its restaurants. For a pampering and rejuvenation treat, you can visit any of our 350 approved spa and health resorts.”….

I’m going & nice to see ‘things to do’ at Naidex.

 There were also disability insurance companies on show so if you do go abroad, you’re covered. They included Fish who are big and a tad complacent, plus Blue Badge Mobility Insurance who know the pitfalls of disabled travel first hand as their chief executive Mark has a disabled son (he was also much more friendly than the Fish guys who just wanted to hand out as many leaflets as possible). Website not up yet but contact them at mark@bbmi.co.uk.

Other good things on show were the new ‘Black Edition’ wheelchairs from Quickie, not out yet but they are sleek, black/red versions of the Jive m and the Helium Pro, as well as some single and tandem bikes for people with ‘reduced mobility’. Supplied by PF Mobility from Denmark they’re only available at Dulwich Park at the moment but more are coming.

However, the STAR of the show was the Rex Bionics robotic exoskeleton – a standing machine that allows you to ‘stand, walk, sit, turn..Step in any direction (and) Navigate stairs’. Take a look at the video below ….amazing but at £90k it needs to be. You can see Sophie Morgan using it at Naidex on our facebook Page here. I’m assured that prices will be going down as more are sold. Finally a look into the future was given by Coventry University whose Health Design & Technology Institute (HDTI), ‘support the development of new and innovative community healthcare products…..’ . Unusually they are interested in good design. I was shown the Teggy a palliative care toothbrush and water dispenser which looked cool and will be in production soon.

Equally cool from HDTI was the KUBE , great design for a trolley providing support plus a perching seat and has a children’s version for storing toys. It’s useful for able bodied and disabled alike, an ‘inclusive’ piece of equipment. Let’s hope it goes into production soon??

There was also good news from the Blackwood Foundation & Bespoken who are the charitable arm of Blackwood who produce accessible homes, mainly in scotland, they are looking to design a home that is accessible & attractive to people of any age.

So not all bad at Naidex but there were still too many naff products including a surfeit of ugly wide shoes . Those working on the stands were all too eager to give me their leaflets and in the end I left the hall screaming………………………!