Limited since birth: When the hand does not really cooperate in everyday life
Markus’ paralysis was caused by birth trauma. His exact diagnosis is brachial plexus palsy. For 30 years, he has lived with limited function in his left arm and especially his left hand. Markus has reduced sensation throughout his arm, and he also lacks the strength to hold objects for longer periods or release them in a controlled way.
This repeatedly had consequences in everyday life. Because he lacks sensation in the nerves, minor accidents or injuries occurred more often, and he sometimes did not notice them at first. At the same time, Markus had to find his own solutions for many activities. What is natural for others often meant effort, detours, or physical contortions for him.
Everyday tasks such as cutting bread rolls, carrying shopping bags, or holding objects securely were particularly difficult. His posture was also affected as a result. Markus explains that for many years he had to help himself, often at the expense of his physical health.
Das hatte im Alltag immer wieder Folgen. Weil ihm das Gefühl in den Nerven fehlt, kam es häufiger zu kleinen Unfällen oder Verletzungen, die er zunächst gar nicht bemerkte. Gleichzeitig musste Markus für viele Tätigkeiten eigene Lösungen finden. Was für andere selbstverständlich ist, bedeutete für ihn oft Anstrengung, Umwege oder Körperakrobatik.
Besonders schwierig waren alltägliche Handgriffe wie Brötchen schneiden, Einkaufstaschen tragen oder Dinge sicher halten. Auch die Körperhaltung wurde dadurch belastet. Markus beschreibt, dass er sich über viele Jahre selbst helfen musste, oft auf Kosten seiner körperlichen Gesundheit.
Managing alone while still wanting more ease
Before Markus moved in with his girlfriend, he lived alone for eight years. During this time, he had to manage everyday life on his own and cope with many situations through a great deal of improvisation. Independence is still very important to him today. He does not just want to manage things somehow, but to be able to do them with more security and less effort.
Activities that require both hands were a particular challenge for Markus for a long time. These include carrying shopping bags into the apartment, holding something while doing something else with the other hand, or actively helping with shared everyday tasks.
With the exomotion® hand one, Markus can now use his left hand in many situations in a way that was not possible for him before. This makes everyday tasks easier for him, and he says he has gained an inner calm that he did not know before.
Gerade Tätigkeiten, bei denen beide Hände gebraucht werden, waren für Markus lange eine besondere Herausforderung. Dazu gehören Einkaufstaschen in die Wohnung tragen, etwas festhalten und gleichzeitig mit der anderen Hand handeln oder beim gemeinsamen Alltag aktiv mithelfen.
Mit der exomotion® hand one kann Markus seine linke Hand heute in vielen Situationen einsetzen, wie es ihm vorher nicht möglich war. Dadurch fallen ihm alltägliche Aufgaben leichter, und er beschreibt, dass er eine innere Gelassenheit gewonnen hat, die er so vorher nicht kannte.
Gerade Aufgaben, bei denen beide Hände gebraucht werden, waren nach dem Schlaganfall eine große Herausforderung. Dinge tragen, festhalten, greifen oder stabilisieren – all das gehört zu einem normalen Alltag dazu. Mit der exomotion® hand one kann Matthias heute wieder aktiver mithelfen und Tätigkeiten übernehmen, die direkt nach dem Schlaganfall nicht möglich gewesen wären.
The path to the exomotion® hand one: From REHACARE to the care partner
Markus learned about HKK Bionics and the exomotion® hand one in connection with the REHACARE trade fair. Before the fair, he had been researching through his employer at the time and came across HKK Bionics. The technical possibility of supporting a paralyzed hand with motorized gripping moved him deeply.
Markus says that for the first two hours, he had tears in his eyes because he had not realized until then how far the technology had already come.
After the trade fair, he continued to gather information on the website and looked for an orthopedic specialist provider near him. Together with Sanitätshaus Seitz and HKK Bionics, the fitting process was then initiated.
Intuitive operation and more possibilities through different grip patterns
What Markus particularly appreciates about the exomotion® hand one is its function in everyday life. He can actively use his left hand again and grasp, hold, and release objects. The different grip patterns are also a major advantage for him because they open up more possible uses.
Markus found the operation intuitive right from the start. Even during the screening, after only a short time, he felt that he did not want to take the orthosis off again. For him, it quickly became clear what possibilities this could offer in everyday life.
Today, the exomotion® hand one supports him in a wide range of activities. For example, Markus can carry shopping bags into the apartment more independently again. Situations that mean a lot to him personally are also easier again: playing video games while drinking something at the same time, or serving coffee to his guests, something he very much enjoys. These moments in particular give him the feeling of being able to participate in everyday life more actively and more naturally.
Small everyday situations with great meaning: Feeding the turtles
One especially meaningful moment for Markus with the exomotion® hand one is feeding his girlfriend’s turtles. In the past, this was difficult because he lacked function in his left hand. Today, he can help with both hands.
„Helping my girlfriend feed the turtles with both hands.“
For Markus, this is more than just a small everyday situation. It means doing something together, being able to provide support, and not just watching. Moments like these show how valuable greater independence in everyday life can be.
Markus’ story makes it clear that it is often not only about major changes. It is the small actions that make a difference: carrying shopping bags, serving coffee, drinking something while playing, or helping his girlfriend feed the turtles. The exomotion® hand one supports Markus in integrating his left hand more effectively into everyday life and regaining more ease.