VA Hospital Receives High-Tech Wheelchair That Can Climb Stairs

TAMPA, FL — The future has arrived at the Michael Bilirakis Disabled Veterans Administration Spinal Cord Injury Center in the form of a high-tech, computerized wheelchair that can even climb stairs.

Mobius Mobility of Manchester, New Hampshire, has donated an iBOT PMD wheelchair to the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital spinal cord injury center through the Veterans Administration's New England Center for Innovation Excellence.

This is the seventh iBOT PMD donation in a series of donations to each of the VA's 25 SCI centers across the country as part of the "Operation Mobility Tour." The wheelchairs will be used for training and demonstration purposes. Twenty-five additional units will be donated for veteran to use.

"Looking at how the technology has improved over the years, it's truly amazing, and I think life-changing for those who need it," said JAHVH Director Joe Battle. "We are one of the largest spinal cord injury centers in the country, and one of five polytrauma centers, so we will put this to good use to give veterans life the way they want to live it, and that is what is most important."

The Center for Innovation Excellence was established at the VA New England in 2020 through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary's Center for Strategic Partnerships and the VA National Centers for Innovation to Impact.

The center focuses on technology solutions for veterans with chronic or complex illnesses and injuries.

The iBOT PMD uses advanced electronics, sensors, battery technology and software to lift barriers to accessibility.

Users can raise the height of the seat, so they can interact with others at eye level. Additionally, the seat angles automatically when the user goes up and down slopes and is able to go up and down stairs. It also simplifies transfers to beds or couches.

Furthermore, the sealed electronics, batteries and motors allows the iBOT PMD to continue operating in rain or after rolling through standing water.

"I had never been able to speak to my children at eye level and that is one of the biggest things this chair offers to a veteran," said disabled veteran Peter Olivo. "I've lived 52 years with people looking down at me and now I can look at their face. I don't think the VA knows yet what they are doing for the veterans when they issue one of these wheelchairs. They literally are changing lives."

Veterans with mobility needs should contact their VA provider to learn more. Mobius Mobility will deliver the iBOT PMDs to each of the VA centers over the summer via a custom-designed mobile unit named "Independence."