During stair training without the stair climbing aid, the full force and effort is on the arms.
“If you sit in a wheelchair for a long time, it’s a stupid habit to do everything with your arms. The big advantage of TOPRO Steps is that you have to do a lot with your legs for therapy purposes, and that’s what’s important.”
Dmitri says that his everyday life hasn’t changed much and he still does what he enjoys. He takes longer for everything and needs help when he encounters stairs. His life still revolves around motorsport. Once motorsport, always motorsport!
“Sitting in a wheelchair, staring at the wall, and crying was never the goal from the beginning,” he explains to us.
Another goal is that he can walk again.
“Not 10 km, not 3 km, and even if it’s only 100 m. What’s important is that it works, and it works alone. We still need some time, strength, sweat, ambition, patience, and motivation.”
What are the advantages of the stair climbing aid?
“The security, quite clearly. You can also go up the stairs alone, without someone having to watch over you. That works. A huge advantage is the mental aspect – having the confidence. The fact that as a paraplegic with some function in the legs, you can go up the stairs is the biggest advantage.”