Veteran Testimonial: Independence By The Spoonful

Strange title right? As you keep reading you’ll understand.

Are you familiar with ALS? Don’t worry if you’re not, many people are not very familiar with it. Here’s an abbreviated explanation: A terminal, untreatable condition, where by the individual looses all physical abilities, such as the use of: legs, arms, hands, speech, swallowing and ultimately breathing. It is 100% fatal.

From the description of ALS, you can surmise that we become completely dependent on others for all daily activities. Once our arms and hands are gone and we’re still able to eat, we require someone to feed us, independence lost.

Now, let me introduce you to my new friend, Obi. Obi and I got a rough start, I didn’t want Obi at first. 

What is Obi you ask? I’m sorry, Obi is an assistive device that feeds you via a robotic arm, cool right!

Now back to not wanting the Obi; I have my family to feed me, that’s it, no other reason, silly and selfish.

As you would have it, while attending the Paralyzed Veterans of America Health Summit in Dallas, this past August, I met the Obi team. During a demonstration, using chocolate; they don’t play fair, lol. My wife and I discussed the Obi with sales lead Heather, to include how easy it is to operate. As we shared our ALS journey with her, she listened attentively. She in turn shared with us her personal reasons for being so passionate about helping individuals with physical disabilities, I was blown away.

She then asked if I would like to help my wife care for me with a bit less effort. I said “of course!”. Heather went on to explain how the Obi can do just that for us.

I will leave you with this…

I never imagined that I would get emotional about feeding myself. That is exactly what happened, after seven years of being disabled.

Obi, with it’s control buttons, which can be activated with the minimalist of movement, enabled me to feed myself. For the first time in seven years I chose which item and at the pace I desired to eat. You could say I regained a bit of my independence one spoonful at a time!

Obi is a revolutionary eating assistive technology for individuals with upper extremity strength and mobility limitations.

Qualifying Veterans may receive Obi at no cost through the VA. Obi is currently helping 100s of Veterans eat with independence. Contact us for an in-home or facility trial!