Background
Scott (42), a dad, fiancé, son and a former frontman and rhythm guitarist, experienced a catastrophic stroke over three years ago, leaving him with extreme weakness on his left side and requiring a wheelchair for mobility. As a result, his ability to move safely and independently around his home was significantly impacted.
Both Scott and his fiancé, Fran, stopped working full-time and focused solely on Scott’s long recovery. Fran has been Scott’s full-time carer ever since, supporting his daily living needs in a home that was no longer fully accessible to him.
Challenges Before the VELA Chair
Despite home adaptations and the use of a wheelchair, Scott often relied on Fran’s assistance for everyday tasks such as preparing food, accessing storage, dressing and personal care and transferring between rooms safely. Standard chairs and wheelchairs either lacked the adjustability he needed or compromised safety.
His concentration and stamina were also limited, meaning comfort and positioning were crucial for any activity-from using his computer to simply sitting at the kitchen table. Whilst Scott was thrilled to be home, after 18 long months in hospital, he felt trapped between rooms and felt he’d lost the independence he had once had.
Why the VELA Chair?
The VELA chair stood out due to its stability, powered height adjustment, central brake, and smooth-gliding castors—designed to offer seated mobility without compromising safety.
The powered lift was particularly important to allow Scott to adjust his position independently, especially given the asymmetry in his strength. After extensive research for the perfect solution, it was clear that the VELA chair could provide both function and freedom in a way that no other seating system could.
Making it Happen
The chair is a significant investment, and after discussions with charities and community teams they understood it would need to be a privately funded purchase. Scott and Fran produced a short video and shared it on a GoFundMe page.
In a 48hr period, which became one of the most humbling two days they had ever experienced, Scott was able to raise the funds and place an order.
The Impact
Since receiving the VELA chair, the change has been immediate and empowering. Scott can now:
For Fran, the VELA chair has also been transformative—reducing the number of times she needs to physically support Scott throughout the day, and giving her more time and peace of mind, when providing the dedicated care Scott needs.
Fran:
“It’s honestly been painful watching Scott feel like he’s trapped in his own home, despite me trying my hardest to make it a happy space for him. I realised he hadn’t ever been in our new kitchen and on day one of having the Vela, he was able to retrieve items from the fridge and prepare a meal. It’s the simple things that you lose when a condition like this takes hold. We celebrate small victories every day, this chair has allowed us to feel more positive about our tomorrow.”
Scott:
“I’ve always been stubbornly independent, Fran will tell you, knowing that I can now move around my home without relying on anyone else is making a real difference, not only physically but also emotionally. I can also spend more time with our pet rabbit, Bruce, I’ve missed that.”