Written by: Sakina
After having my life changed for the better thanks to iLevel on my Quantum Edge 3 wheelchair, I often find myself remembering what my life was like before having access to it. Throughout my whole day, there are innumerable amount of tasks that I wouldn’t have been able to do before receiving iLevel.
After getting ready in the morning, it would be incredibly difficult for my parents to transfer me. I also wouldn’t be able to look in the mirror, and thus, I wouldn’t be able to brush my own teeth and brush my hair. I wouldn’t be able to eat any meals with my family at the kitchen counter, as I would have to stay close to the floor. I couldn’t pull up to the chairs at school and work on assignments with my peers. I also wouldn’t be able to participate in labs in chemistry class.
Anytime I would be in the halls, I would easily get trampled by my peers, as I would be too short for them to see me. Even simple things like going to the mall wouldn’t be possible without iLevel. I would constantly get lost in the flow of people because nobody would see me. I wouldn’t be able to pick out items in stores because I would be too short to even reach them.
It would be almost impossible for me to pay for my stuff once I did find something, as the cashier would have to reach over the desk to try and communicate with me. At the food court, I would literally be sitting near the floor and unable to communicate with anyone or enjoy my food. Overall, I would lose any sort of independence without having iLevel.
I would quite literally feel smaller than my peers, and almost feel embarrassed to have a conversation with them, as well as lack the confidence I need to make new friends. Anyone I would communicate with would have to look down at me just to have a conversation with me, and in more ways than one, that would’ve severely affected my social skills and confidence.
At the end of the day, I am incredibly grateful for iLevel, and I definitely would not be where I am today without it