According to the CDC’s Disability Health Overview, there are 64 million Americans with some form of disability when the figures for adults (61 million) and children (3 million) are combined. The most common disability type is individuals with mobility challenges (13.7%).  Individuals recovering from a stroke or a mild to severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) make up a significant percentage of those with mobility challenges.
There 64 million Americans with some form of disability.

Strokes
According to the American Stroke Association, strokes are the leading cause of serious long-term disability. According to the Stroke Awareness Foundation, there are over 7 million stroke survivors living in the United States and more than half of those 65 and older experience a reduction in their mobility. According to the CDC, more than 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year. Strokes often result in partial paralysis (Hemiplegia) or weakness (Hemiparesis) on the opposite side of the body from where the stroke occurred. Both conditions can result in the loss of muscle mass but physical therapy can help an individual rebuild strength in the case of hemiparesis. A 2021 Study found that stroke victims are surviving longer as nearly half survived at least five years.

Did you know more than 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year!

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
In the USA, there were approximately 223,135 TBI-related hospitalizations including 16,070 children in 2019. There are a significant number of Americans that have had a moderate or severe TBI resulting from Motor vehicle crashes, gunshot wounds, and assaults that often result in a mobility challenge.

Situational Analysis and Accessible Carts

For individuals with hemiplegia from a stroke or TBI, balance is a challenge that can make playing golf difficult. An accessible cart with a standing frame and belts can be used to ensure that the individual is able to stay balanced without the fear of falling. An accessible cart with a standing frame can also be used as part of the rehabilitation process helping the individual do regular standing therapy to help them begin the process of rebuilding strength in their affected side.

Accessible carts with a standing frame can assist in the rehabilitation process.
For these individuals, the ease of using the VertaCat’s joystick to steer the cart and then to hydraulically lift oneself into a standing position with just a few fingers will help make the golfing experience more enjoyable for millions of stroke survivors.

Please contact us at The Stand Up and Play Foundation for more information.