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Stair climber: Climbing the stairs on your own

With the help of the TOPRO Step stair climber, he can now go up and down the stairs on his own. Previously, Peder (8) had to crawl up the stairs and could only go up and down the stairs to his nursery at home with the help of his parents.

Text: Bjørn Kollerud, magazine "Handikapnytt" September 2019.

If you suffer from cerebral palsy and your gait function deteriorates as a result, it can be a challenge to have your child's room on the second floor. Peder (8 1/2) was able to go upstairs to his room, but had to crawl up the stairs and always needed help. The family wanted to do something about this. The parents began to look for a solution that would allow them to make their son more independent in everyday life.

"We were looking for a solution so that he could climb up and down the stairs independently without any additional help from us - if possible. We wanted him to develop independent skills even if his walking function deteriorated," explains mother Hanne Therese Åsbø.

After a long search, they finally found the solution on Facebook when they discovered the TOPRO Step stair climber. It is a new product developed in Norway, which at the time was still mainly used in institutions. TOPRO Step is a kind of "stair climber" that can be mounted on both straight and winding stairs. The concept consists of a wall-mounted rail, the patented locking mechanism and an ergonomically shaped handrail that is moved along the rail by the user. The handrail can also be used as a support so that you can move up and down at the right speed using your own muscle strength.

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Very satisfied

The Åsbø family arranged a trial run with the TOPRO Step stair climber and were pleasantly surprised.

"We applied for the costs to be covered and received a positive response. The sales partner came to our home, measured the stairs and installed the stair climber for us a short time later. It was very quick and easy," emphasizes Hanne Therese.

Peder has now been using the stair climber every day for two years.

"It's absolutely great. We are very happy with the solution and his physical development since he started using TOPRO Step," says Hanne Therese.

Peder-1
Peder walks up the stairs and looks happy

Grandparents as inspiration

The story behind TOPRO Step began with three civil engineering students at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, who were working on a project in 2012. They had seen how difficult it was for their grandparents to climb stairs and wanted to develop solutions that would make a difference.

"After looking at what was on the market, we decided to create something completely new. That's how we started working on what would become TOPRO Step," explains Halvor Wold, entrepreneur and CEO of AssiTech AS.

Entrepreneurial spirit

It was a long and arduous process, but the obstacles must be overcome.

"You have to have the courage and the ability to stay in the race. We raised money on the Internet. Investors, funds, NAV and NTNU have also contributed money. It's a long development process from the idea to the finished product. But now we've made it," says Halvor Wold.

The pilot launch took place in 2015. The finished product was launched in Norway in 2016. The device is manufactured in Norway and distributed by Hepro AS. In Germany, TOPRO Step is available from RĂĽdiger Schmitt Treppenlifte GmbH.

"Fortunately, we received approval from the NAV Resource Center, which could be a good solution for many. This means that TOPRO Step is paid for in full by NAV. The agreement with NAV was absolutely crucial. The challenge is that it's difficult to decide on a product that doesn't exist yet and for which we didn't have a price tag. So we had to refine and test everything, and for that we needed a distribution partner," explains the entrepreneur.

Great physical progress

"His core muscles, motor skills and balance have improved. This is a positive additional factor that makes Peder's everyday life easier."- Hanne Therese, Peder's mother

Halvor Wold and the rest of the AssiTech AS team saw opportunities to export the stair climber early on.

"We have patented the concept in the EU and the USA and are actively working with our distributors to develop the markets. The development on the export market has been positive. This year we have a turnover of between eight and ten million NOK and we now trade more abroad than in Norway," he says.

At home with the Åsbø family, they were prepared for the fact that Peder would first have to get used to the TOPRO Step stair climber. But everyone was pleasantly surprised.

"He took the technique very easily. After a day he was confident and he enjoyed using the stair climber so much that he went up and down many extra laps," says Peder's mother happily.

They also felt a physical effect after Peder used the device.

"His core muscles, motor skills and balance have improved. This is a positive additional factor that makes everyday life easier for Peder," she says.

Peder and TOPRO Step

Why choose TOPRO Step?

Installation in 3 steps

To carry out an on-site inspection and receive a quote, make an appointment with us. Once you have accepted the quote, we will carry out the installation, which usually only takes a few hours. .

TĂśV tested and certified

TOPRO Step is TĂśV-tested and certified and meets all functional and safety requirements.

Adaptable to your staircase

TOPRO Step is designed so that it can be easily adapted to your staircase. It can be installed on straight stairs, curved stairs and stairs with a landing.

Fits perfectly in any home

Ask your health insurance company about the possibility of cost coverage or possible subsidies. Please note that these options are country-specific and individual.

Up to 5 years warranty

TOPRO Step means TOPRO quality. When you buy a TOPRO Step, you receive a guarantee of up to 5 years.

Over 2,000 satisfied users

We measure success by satisfied customers, which is our top priority. We already have over 4,000 satisfied users throughout Europe.

Choose your TOPRO Step

Configure your TOPRO Step - in just a few steps!

Do you have any questions?

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TOPRO Step Expert
+47 902 931 00
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08:00 - 16:00 o'clock.

We are happy to advise you

TOPRO Step Expert
+47 902 931 00
Monday - Friday
08:00 - 16:00 o'clock.

Request a callback

Do you have any questions or would you like to test the TOPRO Step stair climber?

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