Sitting Tall, Living Fully

We believe that support should go beyond the basics. It is about seeing opportunities for improvement, listening to what our clients need, and working together to create a sense of belonging, whether that means advocating for new equipment or making sure clients have the support they need to do the things they love.

For one of our clients, her physical disabilities made it difficult to sit upright, and her wheelchair seat offered little relief. The worn-out cushion would leave her slumping and in pain, too exhausted to enjoy her day fully.

 “When she was in her old cushion, she would slump over,” Lindsay Rubino, Client Service Manager, shared. The pressure on her stomach from slumping would cause her pain, and at times, she just wanted to go straight to bed after attending her day program.

While essential, her wheelchair was not helping her fully participate in her daily life. That changed thanks to a routine repair call and one Emmaus team member’s quick action.

After a technician from Numotion came to fix a brake, he noticed the opportunity for improvement, Associate Client Services Manager Michaela President leapt into action. An order was placed, and within a month, the client’s new seat and headrest were installed.

The impact was immediate.

“She was so happy when she got her new cushion and headrest; she loves to sit up tall,” Lindsay says. “She is loving it; she is all smiles and happy to be going to her day program.”

For someone whose wheelchair is a lifeline to the world, this new setup became more than an adjustment; it became a bridge to connection. 

Jamesha Brown, a Direct Support Professional who works closely with the client, has seen the difference up close: “She does not lean over to the left anymore, and we do not have to put extra support behind her. She sits in the living room with her roommates now and plays games, does arts and crafts… a lot more instead of wanting to go straight to bed when she comes home from her day program.”

Lindsay shares, “Without the new equipment, she would not be able to do the things she loves, like going to her program or dancing. She enjoys being in the middle of everything. Her chair gives her the ability to not only feel included but also to go shopping, go on walks, and just giggle with her roommates.”

“Something so simple to others means the world to her,” Lindsay reflected. “It is not just a piece of equipment; it is a part of her.”

In this new chair—secure and supportive—the client can do more than get from place to place. She can be present with her roommates. She can be part of every moment that makes her feel at home.

We know that dignity lives in the details. Comfort, inclusion, participation—These are not luxuries. They are essential. And when clients receive  the tools and support they need to engage with their world, we all feel joy.