One of his pleasures in life was a bath. 

 The size and configuration of the family home in Bradford made it impossible for him to have that enjoyment.

AAT’s S-Max stairclimbing wheelchair changed that. And gave him the opportunity at the end of his life to safely and easily navigate the steps to outside and enjoy some fresh air and the sun on his face.

It was the result of teamwork and good communication between Mat’s partner Jenny, the family’s Occupational Therapist and AAT. 

Using the S-Max in its Sella variant (with integral seat), Jenny could safely take Mat upstairs to relax in the bath in the way he loved- with a cup of coffee and a biscuit. 

And they were no longer confined to the house: using the S-Max Sella, Jenny could take Mat over the front door’s raised threshold, down the stone steps to the pavement where she would transfer him to his wheelchair.

Physical strain on Jenny was reduced, and both their mental health was improved.

When Mat’s condition deteriorated to the point that external transfer was becoming difficult for Jenny, AAT stepped in again. S-Max has the flexibility to adapt to a wheelchair, by removing the seat and adding brackets. 

Jenny no longer had to lift Mat from stairclimber to wheelchair to go out and about.

And, as the Council already had the appropriate AAT accessories in its equipment stores, no additional funding was required.

“Mat was like the Duracell bunny- he just kept going. His legacy will be that our experience can help show other people facing a similar situation that with the right support and equipment, you do not have to be confined to the downstairs of your home,” says Jenny.

“I always say every day’s a school day: we’re always learning! Until you’re in that position, you’ve no idea what’s out there. The stairclimber was an absolute life saver, an amazing piece of equipment. It gave us some independence. Without that piece of equipment Mat and I would have had no way of leaving the house together.”

AAT’s S-Max Sella is unique in inter-floor transfer devices in that it is not confined to the stairway, and that one machine can both include an integral seat or attach to a wheelchair. Thus it provides a cost-effective and safe solution where stairs and steps are a barrier to daily life. 

It requires no installation. 

S-Max reduces transfers for the passenger and operator.

AAT personally assesses the passenger, operator and home environment to determine the suitability prior, including what accessories may be needed to ensure a safe, comfortable transfer process. AAT also personally trains the care giver(s) in S-Max’s safe operation. 

Also uniquely, when the recipient no longer needs it, S-Max can be taken back into stores and re-issued/prescribed to another. It equates to less than £800/year⁽¹⁾ to gives multiple people and their families improved accessibility.

Full details of S-Max, including video of Matt and Jenny traversing their outside steps and how to book a free no obligation assessment, can be found @ www.aatgb.com/s-max-sella/