New Paths to Independence: From Diagnosis to Hand Orthosis
After his accident more than 30 years ago, Michael Berger had to relearn his entire daily routine. Life as a tetraplegic means complete limitations in both arms and legs—many tasks that others take for granted were only possible for him with a lot of assistance. Michael lives alone, is retired, but has 24/7 assistance support. Nevertheless, independence is very important to him. It was only by chance, when he tried out the exomotion® hand one at the IRMA fair in Hamburg, that a new perspective opened up for him: through this innovative assistive device, he gained more freedom than he ever thought possible.
Fast Track to Individual Care – Mastering Everyday Life with One Hand
After discovering the hand orthosis at the fair, things suddenly moved quickly: together with Sanitätshaus Stolle in Hamburg, Michael was supplied with the exomotion® hand one just six months later. He speaks with excitement about how he can now handle everyday situations much more easily: finally, he can eat and drink with one hand—without constantly spilling things. Before, his second hand always had to help—with the exomotion® hand one, things are now much more precise and tidy. Michael emphasizes that learning to use the orthosis was very simple: in less than two weeks, he was able to fully integrate it into his daily life.
Shopping—A Personal Highlight
His biggest joy with the hand orthosis?
„Shopping independently“.
Previously, he depended on his assistant to hand him items from the shelves, but now, with the hand orthosis, Michael can reach for products himself and take them directly off the shelf. This step forward in autonomy means a huge improvement in quality of life for him—small wins make a huge difference. After 34 years without a helpful device, this progress still impresses him every day.
Motivation and Individuality – Everyday Tips from Michael
Michael wants to encourage others in similar situations to try new things and not dismiss technical assistive devices. He even had his arm tattooed with a matching motif—a symbol of how much his relationship with his own hand has changed. His advice: overcome your fear of the new and be open to supportive technologies. His daily life shows: modern hand orthoses like the exomotion® hand one can offer not only practical but also emotional support—for more self-confidence and a more active life.