I am Johnathon. I’ve always had a passion for animals. Before then I’d only ever seen animals in zoos, I want to see that every day. It sounds weird, but they just talk to me. I’m not Dr. Dolittle or anyone like that but it’s just something about animals. I want to work in conservation, to have a positive impact on the environment and the animals, and also to inspire others to be passionate like I am.

I was on a guided tour. We went through the gate, and the first thing we saw right near the gate was a group of lions, I was like okay I’ve seen a lion now.
Like what else can we see? Just to the camp which was about an hour drive we saw elephants.

So, I was held quite far back. I never thought I’d be smart enough to go to university. But I didn’t bother. Later on in life, I wanted to do something. I thought I’d go into veterinary nursing and they told me that they weren’t sure how my limitations would enable me to do the job, and actually suggested the program, or the course that I took part in.

Throughout my course, I did visit South Africa and I knew that’s where I wanted to be! So when I finished my degree, I knew that I wanted to focus more on conservation projects. I’ve found what I want to do.

I didn’t overly enjoy my schooling years just because mentally I’m able to do like academic work like everyone else. But the school that I was sent to was more aimed I think with people like sensory needs, and people with learning needs that weren’t able to learn at the level that I was able to.

Without my wheelchair, I can pretty much say I wouldn’t have done anything that I’ve wanted to do. It’s great that I can go anywhere I want in the chair! I love the fact that I can turn in small spaces. My Karma chair enables me to go on all kinds of terrain. I’ve been in the bush um on sand, on dirt, muddy weather…

I’m a massive Norwich City fan. I think I’ve been a Norwich fan since I was a child. I’ve been a season ticket holder now for about five-six years.

Whether it’s right for me or not, I push myself forward; I’m determined; I don’t like to be told I can’t do something(which I don’t know if it’s a positive or not).

I like to help other people like myself. I know I can do these things and when I see people they’re like “oh I can’t do this because I’m in a wheelchair or because of my disability”, I’m like you can do that. I’ve done it myself even
if I haven’t done something myself and I’m able to enable somebody else to do that, or at least point them in the right direction or offer them advice I’d always do that I think.

At the moment, I’ve just been doing my course with Bushwise which is a South African company to qualify to become a field guide where I’ll be licensed to take safaris and bushwalks myself, and enable people to experience the wildlife in South Africa,. You know, I’ve always experienced it.

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I’m Martyn Sibley, I am the co-founder of Purple Goat Agency and generally an inclusion activist.  An inclusion activist for me is just generally educating the world on how to be more accessible and inclusive for disabled people and also empowering disabled people to go and grab their best life as well. So I landed in my spacecraft from Mars about 20 years ago.

The solution to the perception problem is representation, so when we have disabled people in TV, films, marketing, but also teachers, lawyers, doctors etc. That’s when those stereotypes are broken down, and social media has been a game changer because disabled people have had a voice and can curate the conversation more for ourselves which has been phenomenal to see.

I suppose my story does start around having a disability growing up with SMA definitely molded parts of my experience of the world. And bringing that up into university was a really big leap for me. I did economics and a master’s in marketing there.

Then, after that, my first job was a charity called Scope where I did five years that really I suppose gave me a  grounding in disability inclusion and disability rights, and set me up for what’s been about a decade now of working at the intersection of inclusion entrepreneurship and social media.

I’m disabled I’ve had a wheelchair since I was about three years old. It’s fair to say the world hasn’t been designed by a wheelchair user. There are a lot of barriers to getting onto transport and buildings. Another barrier is from the perception and the attitudes of people, and another barrier is around organizational policies.

Thus, I’ll still be Martyn who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, but I’ll also be Martyn that can get in buildings people don’t judge me because I’m in a wheelchair and there’s no policies holding me back.

I think on a really basic level my wheelchair is my legs, it’s how I get around physically. I got my Karma chair around three years ago, and so I was shown that the Karma had the EVO Lectus. It looked amazing, had features and functions that I had not really seen before, and ultimately decided that was going to be the next chair for me.

I suppose in other ways it just enables me to be a good fiancée to help look after our dog, Sunny. To travel the world which I’ve  done a lot of, and thoroughly enjoyed and to do all of my work and my advocacy work.

I remember when I was three years old, and I got my first power wheelchair that feeling of liberation, freedom and independence was really powerful and that still remains today.

When I was growing up there wasn’t a whole lot of disabled role models. For me, role models are vital, not as an unattainable role model but an example of what everyday life and living very attainable dreams can look like.

Thus, I started blogging because I wanted to be that outlook that I didn’t have when I was in my teen years, so even today I’m very motivated and driven to know that I am inspiring the next generation of disabled people.

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My name is Eboni. I think the night I gained my confidence was at my prom. I have a Karma chair, it went to prom with me and I just felt so beautiful and free like birds kind of thing.

I’m studying Sociology and English a-levels. I like learning about people and understanding how they work. It feels really good, it’s mine and it’s what I can do no one else can do it for me.

I never had a social life before I had this chair. I was suffering from depression and was on the very edge. I never felt like I had a future and but this chair felt like it’s given me a long happy future and changed the outlook of life.

My relationship with my mum, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She is like my best friend, very strong and brave, that’s mainly where I get it from. She’s very compassionate and just very kind and caring. As long as I have my mum, I’m complete.

I want to go to university and do mental health nursing at Cambridge. I’m really looking forward to it because I can finally be myself and age doesn’t matter. I’m drawn to helping others mentally and learning different ways because mental health is so different and it’s just really unique.

When I did GCSE’s I was in hospital for most of it because I put so much stress on myself, so it is going to take a lot from me but I know I can 100% do it.

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Jack and Aaron are brothers, both KARMA wheelchair users, they share with us the importance of their relationship, their jobs, their hobbies, and their life.

Jack: Being disabled makes you learn a lot because you see the world differently to somebody else; because our conditions life limiting you want to do everything that you can do, that you can still try and live a normal life.

Jack: My name’s Jack I’m 22 and I’m from Birmingham.
Aaron: My name’s Aaron I’m 24 years old and we’re brothers, we’re like conjoined twins we’re not.
Jack: Never apart.
Aaron: It gets on my nerves a bit.
Jack: Aaron thinks he’s the comedian.
Aaron: I’m the funny one, that’s all.
If you’re not feeling good like at least we’ve got one another there to reassure each other. It’s just good to have somebody else to talk to and hit me.

Jack: I’m a Cat technician and I work in the roads department.
Aaron: I’m a Cat technician too but in- for a different department that’s for bridges and structures. I think I’m quite shy but once I get to know people I’m all right.
Jack: I’d describe myself as chatty.
Aaron: He’s got a loud one, we call him chatty man.
Jack: Try not to be negative.
We would rather be positive people. I don’t like negative energy. I’ve got a good sense of humor, motivated.

Jack: My hobbies are playing computer games, wheelchair football. I think about chair preparations thinking before you even touch the ball that would be two steps ahead you know thinking, that’s my next run gonna be and you have to think about pace or things like that.
Aaron: No time to ball much really.
Jack: West Bromwich Albion Powerchairs, that’s the name of our team.
Aaron: Get your mind going and keep your mind off what’s going on the outside.
Jack: It gives you a purpose like you know you’re there for one reason and you know it’s to try and win games.
My football wheelchair is used purposely just for football, not made for comfort but for sport. It’s like driving a tin can.

Jack: I definitely prefer the KARMA. So, my Karma wheelchair is used for everyday life, it’s like the Rolls.
Aaron: Royce of wheelchairs, it’s a part of you basically, it’s my legs.
Jack: Sometimes when you feel like you’re asking for too much, makes you feel like a burden but I think having this independence gives me the freedom to do what I want to do, have to just think about the things you can do not worry about things you can’t do.
Because everything’s possible if you put your mind to it.

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“Today I have my freedom to go anywhere I want to in anytime.”

My name is Mahmood Al-Haiki, 27 years old. I am having a movement disability since my childhood. Currently, I am working as a Marketing Officer in Hospital.

Since I was little, my father and brother have been my greatest supports against all those who don’t believe my ability to achieve anything I want to do, because of my disability. When I was younger, I was once inspired by Nick Vujicic’s speech and his story deeply, then I started to challenge myself to live the life I want.

Now I cook, I drive, I even ride horses. Among all these amazing things, discovering the world is my favorite hobby. I have been using Karma S-Ergo 305 for a long while. It not only makes my traveling much easier, but it also makes transportation in my trip faster and convenient.

Issued by Mahmood Al-Haiki from Bahrain in May. 2019

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S-Ergo 305

Thank you KARMA, for changing lives for people like me who now think of themselves as Differently Able.

Hi, I am Bratati Sen, It’s my privilege that I am writing this story, the story of an ordinary girl who bound to be dependent on childhood and saw the world indifferently. But as time passes, my thinking and dependence on others have also taken a new route, the route for “Freedom”. And all this happen due to my power wheelchair KP-25.2 from Karma. From the day when I got this chair, gradually it gives a heavy impact on my daily living life.

Nowaday, I used this power wheelchair KP25.2 in my all activities like shopping, gardening and hopping in the market. People are very curious to see how a physically challenged woman drive the wheelchair in the market. And I feel very happy and live my life in colors. All this happened due to Karma and their very good wheelchair.

Thank you KARMA, for changing lives for people like me who now think of themselves as Differently Able.

Issued by Bratati Sens from India in December. 2018

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KP-25.2

Thank you, Karma for enabling my life and making me independent!

I first started using a Karma manual wheelchair in 2008 and it was very durable, lasting until 2014. I then switched to another brand of a manual wheelchair for four years.

In June of 2018, I received my brand new Karma KP25.2 motorized wheelchair. However, since the joystick was too far for me to reach (I have short limbs*), I requested Karma to manufacture a custom bracket to bring the joystick closer to my arm.

Highly satisfied with the product as well as the after-sales service. Within a month, they manufactured it and delivered it to me.

*Photo on the left shows that before the customization, the joystick was too far from my arms so I would have to lean over to reach it during the ride which was bad for me to keep my seat position.

Would definitely recommend Karma wheelchairs – manual or motorized – to anyone who wants a quality wheelchair at a reasonable price.

Here is a video to show you my happy ride with KP 25.2 during the holiday!

Check out how I connected with Karma for my customization request in Karma Global User Group.
August. 2018: https://goo.gl/ny1TxZ
June. 2018: https://goo.gl/FCr8s3

Issued by Mohamed Zimnaan from Sri Lanka, living in Singapore / December. 2018

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KP-25.2

Karma’s KP-45.3 is my main mobility aid. Ever since I moved into my new house, my lifestyle became very steady-paced; I am usually out shopping for cuisine, going to my bank, or at the rehabilitation center. To be honest, I took a liking to my new lifestyle. It keeps me busy.

However, there is just one thing that bugs me about my new home, taking out the garbage.

The garbage truck comes to our neighborhood every day at 7 PM. By that time, it’s very dark and it’s very hard to see where I’m going. Because of this, I still bring my garbage back to where I used to live. the garbage truck there comes during the day when there is still light out…

Every day around 3 to 4 PM I would get on my KP-45.3 and put a cardboard box on the footplate with my trash inside it. Then, I would put my feet on both sides of the box to make sure nothing falls out. Now I’m set off and wander around until the truck comes.

Whenever the garbage man sees me, never mind if I’m at the station or not, he would always tell his partner to help me dump my garbage into the truck. I would like to heartily thank that driver for lighting up my world.

Yunlin, Taiwan
Mrs. Su
2008 /12

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Saber

The KP-40 that I am sitting on in the picture is my third electric wheelchair made by Karma. For me, wheelchair is like a part of my body. It is my legs and I can’t go anywhere without it.

Yunlin Lin is a city which specializes in agriculture. One day I went to Ms. Shu’s house to help her plant some vegetables, and all of a sudden I had this idea: Why not host an event where everyone can learn to grow corn crops?

I gathered a few of my colleagues.  We made preparations in October and on the 10th of November we plowed through the fields with our exclusive “Karma Fleet”. We used our wheelchairs to mark out the distances needed between the crops, and we proudly planted down the first seed.

Corns can be purchased in almost every food market, but the process of growing it yourself brings a whole new feeling. It has also brought disable people like myself a thing called “hope. Seeing that we are able to produce crops on our own made us feel we are no longer a burden to our families. With our Karma made wheelchairs, we look forward to a better future!

Yunlin, Taiwan
Mr. Li
2008 /12

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Saber

If there is a way to get there, I want to be there.

I often cruise around the neighborhood in my Karma KP-45 or KP-40, looking for old friends to chat gossip with. I’m so lively that my friends say they all hear me calling even before they see me arriving!

My granddaughter has just celebrated her first birthday. The last time I saw her,  she was only nine months old. Her face was so chubby, what a healthy baby!

I often let her sit in my KP-40 with me and take her for joy rides around the city. All my friends agree, she is the cutest baby they have ever seen. Once we were at a  baby clothing store and the clothes that are supposed to suit her age didn’t fit her! The employee said to me, “What a big baby!”

After we finished shopping, it was time to head home. We sang our favorite songs and were both overjoyed. She smiled like an angel; this picture right here on my phone was taken that day when we were humming our way home.

Many years have passed since I first purchased this KP-40. Expectedly, the battery charger is a little worn out. One of these days I will call the good-looking maintenance workers to help me fix my charger.

Yunlin, Taiwan
Mrs. Liu
2008 /12

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Saber