“People really don’t understand how blessed they are to be able to use their hands and arms. Obi is right up there with my wheelchair and speaking device.”
Meet Thomas, a retired Marine Veteran living with ALS. We met Thomas back in 2017 when we launched our very first Generation 1 adaptive feeding device in the market and officially began selling Obi. Six years later, Thomas is still using his Generation 1 Obi for his meals and says that ”Obi is working great!” We recently caught up with Thomas to hear about his experience with Obi and learn more about his time in the military.
Name: Thomas C.
Branch of Military: U.S. Marines
Military Base : “I was stationed at Camp Lejeune [in Jacksonville, NC] during the early eighties. I think the water may have been a factor in my ALS.”
Favorite Memory from the Military: “I think that any Veteran will tell you that the Brotherhood is their best memory.”
Years Using Obi: 6 years!
Why You Like Using Obi: “I like using my Obi because it frees up my wife to enjoy her meal and to do other things. It gives me a little bit of independence. I have been using Obi for six years or more. I have had ALS for over ten years so Obi is a great help.”
Favorite Meal to Eat with Obi: “My favorite meal is chopped steak, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. You might want to add a little bit of water to keep it loose!”
Advice for Other Veterans Living with ALS: “The best advice that I can give anyone living with this disease is keep a good attitude and stay positive. Believe me, I have been as low as you can get; it’s rough and that is an understatement. My doctor told me that I had 3 to 5 years to live, I am still here 11 years later. My wife (Doris) plays a huge part in taking care of me and uplifting me to keep going. My final advice is to have a faith system and believe that you will be healed. I put my trust in the Lord and not in doctors.”
Thank you for your service, Thomas! We are thrilled to be able to help our U.S. Veterans and restore independence, joy, social inclusivity, and more during their mealtime.
Obi Benefits Users and Caregivers
As Thomas mentioned, many of our users have found that Obi not only benefits them but their caregiver. Obi frees up a caregiver to enjoy their meal at the same time as the user or to do other things while someone is eating with Obi. Another diner, David, provided an emotional quote detailing how Obi allowed him to have a “normal” meal with his wife: “It was tearful because I could sit across [the table] and look at my wife now, feed myself, and let her enjoy her meal. It was just wonderful that I could find something that would lessen the load on her.”
Obi is a revolutionary eating assistive technology for individuals with upper extremity strength and mobility limitations. Through the use of customizable switches, Obi allows the user to eat what they want, when they want!
Qualifying Veterans may receive Obi at no cost through their VA Benefits. Obi is currently helping hundreds of Veterans in the U.S. with ALS and other conditions eat with independence. No-cost Obi trials are available to U.S. Veterans and VA Clinicians. Contact us for more information about an in-home or facility trial!
More Resources
Read more about how other Veterans like Thomas are using Obi to live and eat with more independence.
There are many comprehensive resources available for Veterans with ALS. Below is a list of a few ALS advocacy organizations:
