In your own words...
We've created this space for your stories of joy, freedom and independence from around the world. Thank you for sharing!
Please feel welcome to send your own story to info@thealinker.com so that we can share your Alinker experience to inspire others and for everyone to see and learn from, as we work together towards building a more inclusive community for all!
“I took the Alinker to the Metropolitan Museum in NYC today. When I saw this painting of Oedipus and the Sphinx by Moreau, I knew I had to take a picture. Let's update the riddle: What goes on four wheels in the morning- baby carriage, two wheels at noon- bicycle and three wheels in the evening- we know that answer!"
— Sara Blumenstein (New York, USA)
“I went outside for lunch at work, twice this past week. I avoided this for the past year because the memory of how hard concrete is to fall on, is still fresh in my mind. In the past, my right wrist would begin to hurt using my pole, a residual pain from the fall on concrete last year. I had to pause if I needed to make eye contact. Now with the Alinker I can whiz down the hallway, easily make eye contact again and I seem to have permanent smile on my face. My brain feels so relieved not having to stress so much about tripping and falling. I love that with just two weeks of using the Alinker consistently I feel it is a natural extension of my daily life and I feel so secure using it. With the Alinker my world has expanded greatly. Gosh I feel like I am 5 years old again! I can’t imagine living my life without the Alinker."
— Valerie Kline (Colorado, USA)
“The Alinker is much more than I expected. It’s an emotional attachment. I will be fitting in the society again like I should, because I should not be measured by my disability. I am not my disability. I am now not stared at as being a disabled person, I’m now looked at as a curious person, because I’m riding this really nifty bike and I feel good, I feel really good!” (Joe)
“For the first time in many years we are actually walking side by side and that hasn’t happened in a long, long time. It’s a really nice feeling!” (Denise) — Joe & Denise Revello (Plainfield, NJ, USA)
"The Alinker restored one of my favorite capacities, which is socializing at large gatherings, like parties or conferences. No one will give eye contact to someone in a wheelchair. They try. They have to force themselves, and it becomes too painful. I don’t think one can really socialize without eye contact. As to the conventional walker, it’s shocking how quickly it “invalidizes” the user. When I use my walker, I’m stooped over like a hag witch. Also, I’m terrified one of my knees (which have been stripped of cartilage) will give out and I’ll fall. With the Alinker, I sit fully upright and only can fall under conditions of such extreme tilt that a normally-abled person would also be in peril of falling. Such conditions can be encountered here in San Francisco. Quite often actually, but so far I’ve never accommodated gravity, aside from being momentarily terrified as one of the front wheels was suddenly three inches off the pavement. I could go on at some length, but the bottom line is that anyone who, like me, is learning to walk again needs an Alinker, if only to experience the joys that two working legs can provide, while suffering the pains that getting them back necessarily seems to require.”
— John Perry Barlow (San Francisco, CA, USA)
"I used the Alinker today to take my dog to a nature preserve/off-leash park I haven't been able to get to for over 2 years. Yesterday I took it to a Pride event in Eugene. I am thrilled to have it and I always get many questions about it. I cannot remember how I first heard of the Alinker – was it through Mobility International? (I just taught a self-defense workshop for their WILD women – 20 women from all over the world). Thanks for checking in with me – I am truly happy with it." — Nadia Telsey (Eugene, Oregon, USA)
"I am 67 years old and I have CMT (Charcot-Marie- Tooth) disease. CMT is a hereditary neuropathy disorder that affects the nerves in the feet, legs and hands. I had surgery on both feet and ankles many years ago and had triple arthrodesis surgery on the left ankle about 12 years ago. I have titanium screws in my ankle. I wear knee-high leg braces on both legs to assist walking, but both legs are now atrophied. Although I was able to take short walks with my wife and our dog, I didn't have the stamina to walk distances, so I couldn't keep up and lagged behind. But now with the Alinker I can go on walk/rides for longer distances and get the exercise my leg muscles need. Now my wife has trouble keeping up with me. It is so much more enjoyable to be able to 'walk' with my wife using the Alinker, which has been a life changer and I hope that many others can soon enjoy the wonderful benefits of your genius invention." — Bruce and Linda Myers (Pennsylvania, USA)
"I did take the Alinker to Las Vegas on my trip to have new leg braces made and we rode it inside the Mirage Casino and all the way down to Caesar’s. I wear leg braces and find that I can ride the Alinker better with my new braces. The day we left for Las Vegas we attended the San Francisco area CMTA meeting at Stanford. I set up the Alinker and demonstrated how to use it.”
— Dennis J. Woodard (Clayton, California, USA)
"Being an Alinker Ambassador for The United States will allow me to introduce an alternative to amputees. The comfortability and design of the Alinker make it easy for me to walk while exercising my leg. I'm looking forward to creating positive influence and impact with the brand.
I was introduced to the Alinker at my Bezgraniz Couture fashion show at L.A. Fashion Week in October 2016.
I didn't think I would be able to ride a bike since I only have one leg. The Alinker's design allows me to move around with ease and comfort. Who would I recommend the Alinker to? Anyone looking for a non-traditional bike alternative whether you're an amputee, elderly person, or anyone who needs to build more circulation in their legs.”
— Jerris Madison (44) Los Angeles, California, USA. Photographer. Influencer. Editor in Chief of OBVIOUS Magazine. #250KChallenge Competitor.
Brand Ambassador for The Alinker Inventions Ltd.
“Inspired by my Mom, who has always dismissed the option of ever using a walker, I developed the Alinker™ R-volution walking-bike to help people with walking challenges and various physical disabilities move easily. I have suffered from back pain myself for many years, especially when running, so I use the Alinker because it allows me to run with my partner and friends. It’s so much fun! With the Alinker™ R-volution I can run again!”
— Barbara Alink (Vancouver, Canada) Read more
"I wasn’t able to go out on my usual walks for the past 4 years because of severe back aches that makes it very difficult to walk without pain. Now I am out and about. We went to a park at Lake Ontario yesterday and I rode the trails for 4 miles. It was just wonderful. By the way, I am 70 years old. Much too young to just sit around!"
— Bonnie Avery (Ontario, Canada)
“I love the Alinker because it really gives me independence! I’m paralyzed on my left side, so it helps me to walk for longer distances. I always have a smile on my face when I’m on it and it’s such a great feeling! Instead of sitting in the wheelchair and feeling a lot more disabled, this makes me feel like I’m on my way to becoming healthy again. I can just take it anywhere.”
— Diane van Egmond (Vancouver, Canada) Watch the video
“He is loving it, Leon, and is going off on his own to our local mail boxes - once around the block. It is giving him a freedom that he has not had in [a] while, and I feel very comfortable being able to let him go out on his own without worrying that his legs might give out. He can certainly get some pretty good speed going, to the effect that I have to speed walk or jog in order to keep up with him. It has been a very long time since he was faster than I am.
“I will take a couple of pics or video clip and get him to share his experience with you. I know that he would be happy to do so. People in our neighborhood think it is a very cool 'walking bike' and can see how much he enjoys using it.
“G. loves his Alinker and is able to go out for regular rides.” — (I.W.)
“You may get many great reviews daily, weekly etc. but one more for your record: (Delivered this morning by I.W. with not only a genuine smile, but also a very relieved expression of one 'care-giver concern' removed):
"Oh Graeme, it's wonderful to see you going out on your own, not only with a smile on your face; but also, providing me with the feeling that you ARE going to return without falling, having difficulty… just to see you doing something where you don't need others and I justifiably feel you are safe."
“BTW, up to ½ K now getting stronger daily and with no butt tenderness at last. Going through slush is doable but certainly a very challenging task and good for me. I look forward to going on fresh snow, I think…LOL” — (G. & I.W.) — Graeme and Ingrid Waymark (Ontario, Canada) Watch the video
“I bought the Alinker because I want to be able to walk longer distances without putting a lot of stress on my knees. I’ve had a knee replacement and the other knee is very bad. I’m using my leg muscles but without all that body weight on my legs. I don’t want to ride a rickety bicycle anymore at my age because it’s a long way to fall, and I’ve already broken my wrist twice, so I don’t want any more broken bones. The fact that my feet are on the ground and I’m well alanced, I feel that’s quite safe. It really is wonderful!”
— Helen Overgaard (Vancouver, Canada) Watch the video
“I live in Canada and have had my Alinker since July, now it is winter and I am still using it. We went to Black Creek Pioneer Village where the walkways were very icy. I managed just fine. My daughter with both feet under her was having more difficulty manoeuvering than me on my Alinker. […] Shopping in the malls is very easy. […] I live in rural Ontario and must transport my Alinker in the boot of my car. It fits just fine with the front wheels off. I go to Toronto and travel on the subway system and it work just fine. I really need to take it with me to London England this summer.”
“I have found that I am able to spend more time outside. Even travelling to Toronto on the Go train and the subway is far easier. I visit the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to see the ballet six times a year. I was at the point of cancelling my annual subscription because the travel was too stressful. Now I am flying to the city. I have not yet tried the bus system in the city or the Go bus system; that is my next challenge.”
“I have a long laneway to visit my husband in his workshop. It took me 20 minutes to walk out to him using canes; now it is a couple of minutes even though part of it is over rough ground.” — J.O. (Ontario, Canada)
“My pre-MS life was very active, and I enjoyed going to markets and fairs, walking, jogging and cycling. After being diagnosed with MS in 2005, I started needing a series of mobility aids including walking sticks and a walker, and felt it increasingly difficult to get out. I eventually got a Travelscoot, which for almost three years has meant I could get out and about again, and is also great for Martin and me to go places and do things together. It fits in the boot of my hatchback car and there is always someone around to help me get it out and assemble. The only thing missing is that I don’t get any exercise. The Alinker (which I have had since December 2016) is exceeding all my expectations! I have been taking long walks in local parks and on the waterfront, and have learned how to use it with both legs –when my “bad” leg is tired, I can really work my other leg–, so both are getting slowly stronger. I can go out with friends and walk and talk at the same time. “Walking” beside my partner at the local market and looking at things together is wonderful –just like the old days. Hard to find the words for how I feel –independent, free, confident and with a constant smile on my face. When I am out, I am at the same level as Martin, my friends and the people we meet. People talk to me rather than asking Martin about me. The Alinker is so much more than my other mobility aids as I am getting exercise again! Roll on summer, as I will be looking out for fairs, markets and outdoor events again!” — Christine O’Sullivan (New Zealand)
“I am an ability crusader, a blogger, a model and a designer. I’m passionate about universal design and inclusion. I live with a spinal cord injury and use a cane and manual wheelchair for mobility every day.” “I am currently working on my walking canes, have an inclusive dance class, am an ambassador for an inclusive media organization, am involved with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, and on the Access committee for my local council... I have several other things in the works BUT I always have time for more.
My passion for universal design and inclusion developed out of necessity. When a spinal cord stroke left me with incomplete paralysis, I suddenly found myself in an environment and a society that were no longer built for me. After years of exerting energy on trying to adapt, I decided to educate the world on my needs and wants with the hope that maybe something would change.
My first encounter with the Alinker was in Los Angeles at LA Fashion Week. I was modeling for Bezgraniz Couture, an inclusive fashion label, and the Alinker was featured during their show. From the moment I saw it I was hooked. To me, this product is the epitome of purposeful design and universal thinking. — Angel Dixon (Port Macquarie, Australia)
“I noticed that my dad used his feet to move around in his wheelchair in the apartment. That is what gave me the idea he might enjoy the Alinker. After some initial hesitance about the Alinker, my dad has become very eager. The joy of feeling the movement reminds him of his younger age when he was an enthusiastic biker. With the walking aid, we were down to about 300-400 meters a day. The first time with the Alinker, he covered about 1km. A week later, he is already up to nearly 2km. My dad stopped travelling at age of 90 because he thought he was too old. This is him on his spring trip to Budapest shortly after his 96th birthday. We are looking forward to going back with the Alinker soon."
— Peter Szabo (Switzerland)
“My Alinker came yesterday and we put it together with no difficulty. It took a few tries but I did get on it and moved around my house. I plan to go outside with it when our Georgia weather is a little friendlier. I bought a basket to go on the Alinker and the cards you sent are safely in a plastic bag to give to anyone who asks--and they will ask. I will be posting a video of my bike-walking on my Facebook page as soon as I can and will also send the video to my doctors and physical therapists. My MS doctors are at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a well-known hospital specializing in spinal cord injuries and other neurological problems. The MS staff wants me to bring the Alinker to my next appointment. They have even offered lunch as an incentive.” — I.G. (Georgia, Atlanta, USA)
"My husband and I have no regrets in trying this for him. It is such a novel and exciting method of movement and we have shared it with so very many people. Anyone that sees it always asks about it and we always offer them a try. I took the Alinker to the bike store to see about a different seat for comfort and all the sales people and the manager took a spin on it through their store and were having a blast. I gave them all a book mark to look at the website and videos. I told them they need to carry these in all sizes and especially when the child sizes are available. We are going to contact Camp Pendelton Marine Base, which is in our town, for the Wounded Warrior program. We are going to ask to donate Dad's Alinker to them for use in their program and maybe give it to a soldier that can use it on a daily basis to improve the quality of their life. I will let you know what they say. I think they will be very excited about the prospects that Alinker offers. Thank you for developing such a wonderful and fun mobility tool. It is so exciting to think of an Alinker for kids, too!"> — Anne Atkins (California, USA)