Parkinsons NextStep announces distribution agreement with 1800wheelchair

Printer-friendly versionPDF version

Parkinsons NextStep announces their first distribution agreement with 1800wheelchair for the revolutionary NextStep Canes and Walkers designed to assist Parkinsons patients suffering from freezing in regaining their ability to walk. This agreement with 1800wheelchair, an online distributor of over 2000 mobility products in over 100 categories, to use the targeting power of the internet to reach medical professionals, caregivers and Parkinson's patients with information and access to these new devices.

Raleigh NC -December 12, 2009 - Parkinsons NextStep® announces their first distribution agreement with 1800wheelchair to display and sell both NextStep walking aid products for sufferers of Parkinson’s Disease .
“The NextStep® Cane offers a revolutionary, proven solution for Parkinson’s patients that are affected by Freezing, and restores their mobility. The Cane and Walker made by NextStep® fit in well with our product line of over 2000 mobility related products and offer special help for patients that suffer from a wide variety of symptoms associated with the Parkinsons disease.” according to Joseph Piekarski, President of 1800wheelchair.
“Our alliance with 1800wheelchair provides NextStep® with access to medical professionals, patients and caregivers that are searching for solutions for their mobility problems, and the targeting power of the internet will allow our Canes and Walkers to help many more Parkinsons sufferers than before.” observes NextStep® inventor Mike Tucker
Freezing is when the natural flow of movement is hampered. It refers to sudden, temporary difficulty initiating or continuing a movement, such as a step. The patient can actually feel as if they are "frozen" to the floor.
"It can be a significant problem, Sufferers don't feel comfortable going out in public, because they never know when a freeze will happen. I invented the NextStep® for my own use to free myself of that fear.” Tucker comments. “ After using it for several years, and follow up testing with over 100 NextStep® canes in service, we know the product helps Parkinsons patients immediately. And I want every other Parkinson's shut-in to feel the same sense of independence I do."

Before the NextStep® Parkinson's patients have, over the years, learned "tricks" to help interrupt freezing. One of these is to place a visual target or obstacle in front of the foot that is "stuck" to the floor. For example, someone can place their foot just in front of the patient's "frozen" foot, and suddenly the patient can step over the foot and start walking again.
What Tucker has invented is a medically sound walking aid that consistently breaks a Parkinson's freeze with the use of the visual cue wand - an obstruction that allows the sufferer to take their next step.

The NextStep® walking aid automatically extends a metal visual cue wand from the base of a walking cane and is used like a normal cane. Tucker says that at the stage of Parkinson's when freezing occurs, most sufferers are already using canes. When freezing occurs, the visual cue wand is set to appear when the cane makes contact with the floor. The wand provides an obstacle to step over, thus beginning the walking process. The wand automatically raises when the cane does and lowers when the cane contacts the floor.
There are over a million Parkinson's stricken Americans, most notably Michael J. Fox and Mohammed Ali. Tucker's invention will significantly improve the quality of life for tens of thousands whose Parkinson's symptoms include "freezing".
The Parkinson's community, which includes patients, their caregivers, and doctors (typically neurologists) have reacted with intrigue and interest when shown the NextStep.® Dr. Joel Trugman, a renowned neurologist and medical authority, who has researched Parkinson's for decades, worked with Tucker during the development and testing stages of the NextStep.®

"Freezing" is an unusual and poorly understood neurological phenomenon," said Trugman. "It typically occurs when the patient's medication is not performing or has worn off. The condition can occur at any time of the day. Most sufferers have trouble in crowded areas and in small, narrow places."

Dr. Trugman explained that it has been known for many years that patients respond and can start walking if they can step over an object placed in front of them. He states that the NextStep® is a practical solution that will be a significant advance for patients with Parkinson's and other causes of freezing of gait. "It's nothing short of miraculous."

About 1800wheerchair
Founded in 1998, 1800wheelchair offers more than 2,000 products in 100 different categories. Our extensive one-to-one customer service network strives to deliver the right product at the best price. Today, the company has access to inventory in over 25 warehouses around the country and has serviced over 150,000
Parkinsons NextStep® was founded by inventor Mike Tucker a former president of a successful security consulting firm, and Raleigh NC real estate developer Scott Dawson Jr. Their device has been called by users no less than "a miraculous breakthrough" for Parkinson's patients. "I knew from the first moment I saw the NextStep® work with Mike that it was going to change thousands of people's lives," Dawson said. "Being independent and free from fear will change lives. I was in."

Tucker’s invention, the NextStep® , became his mission - to help fellow sufferers find freedom from the disease.

Additional Background on Parkinsons NextStep® is available at www.icanstep.com
Additional information about 1800wheelchair is available at www.1800wheelchair.com

Contacts:
Parkinsons NextStep® - Scott Dawson Jr. 1-888-344-7837 info@icanstep.com
1800wheelchair – Darren Ortsman 718-302-1923 darren@1800Wheelchair.com