Tony rebuilds life through rehabilitation and support of Recare powered wheelchair

Tony has been the owner and director of a successful furniture logistics business based in the West Midlands since 2009. To this day, he continues in his role, now working mostly from home following an accident which resulted in paralysis. However, through determination, support and rehabilitation, Tony is regaining movement as his 'body and brain remap and reconnect', as he says. Alongside his continued career, Tony now publishes on social media and records podcasts to help other individuals with disabilities find accessible places to visit. Recare and its supply of a Permobil F5 sit-to-stand powerchair have been instrumental in Tony's journey back to independence and a positive life. Tony explains: 

“In April 2022, I fell backwards down the stairs and broke my neck. I ended up in hospital for nine months and knew I had a long rehabilitation journey ahead of me. When it happened, I couldn’t move anything. I couldn’t eat, drink or breathe without assistance. It was a really dark place. I needed to rebuild my life and was determined to move again. Part of this process would involve finding products to help."

Finding the right solution with Recare

As Tony began to achieve movement in his hands and arms, he started to explore powered wheelchairs that could give mobility and help him stand. After researching online and attending Naidex, he discovered Recare. From the very beginning, the experience stood out. “Ray Wright from Recare came out to see me and it was completely different to what I expected,” Tony explains. “He wasn’t trying to sell me something – he asked what I needed, how I lived and what I wanted to achieve.” 

As a Trusted Assessor, Ray took a consultative, person-centred approach. Rather than leading with products, he focused on understanding Tony’s goals – both for rehabilitation and for day-to-day life. “Recare assess you properly and recommend what they genuinely think is right,” Tony says. “There’s no pressure; it’s about getting the right outcome for you.” Following a detailed assessment, Tony was recommended a Permobil F5 standing powerchair, which was configured specifically to meet his needs.

Supporting rehabilitation and daily life

Tony’s Permobil F5 has become central to both his rehabilitation and his independence. “It does exactly what it says... it allows me to stand, lie down and so much more,” he says. “It’s made a massive difference to my rehabilitation and daily life.” The F5 is designed to provide advanced powered positioning, including standing, tilt, recline and seat elevation. For Tony, these features are essential for both recovery and completing basic tasks around the home. He works from home four days a week in an accessible, hi-tech enabled office and visits his company every Tuesday for meetings. His powerchair ensures he can always move around with stability and control, and has the ability to be transported in his wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV).

The standing functionality of his F5 helps maintain bone density, improve circulation and support overall health. The first time he stood and hugged his wife after the accident was very emotional, and he now can stand every day as part of his rehab. Meanwhile, the ability to transition smoothly between positions enables him to take part in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible. “At the gym, I can lie down, I can stand up and I can exercise alongside everyone else,” Tony explains. The powerchair is versatile for life at home, when working and when out socially – whether that’s attending concerts, going to the theatre or spending time with family. "I travel on the train to London or abroad; it's all possible again. We live our lives again,” he says.

Turning adversity into inspiration

Alongside his physical recovery, Tony has found purpose in helping others. Encouraged by friends and family, he began documenting his journey on social media. “I wanted to take something positive out of a negative situation,” he says. Today, his content focuses on real-world accessibility – sharing experiences from concerts, restaurants, holidays and everyday outings. By showing what is possible, Tony is helping others regain confidence in living their lives. “People message me saying they’ve gone out again or booked trips after seeing my videos,” he says. “That means everything to me.” He also hosts a podcast, openly documenting his journey from the night of the accident through to the present day. “I don’t hide anything –the good days, the bad days,” he explains. “If someone listens and thinks, ‘if he can do it, so can I,’ then it’s worth it.” 

Looking Forward

Tony continues to balance his rehabilitation with work and family life. As a sales director, he remains actively involved in his business while dedicating time to his ongoing recovery. His progress has been driven by resilience, mindset and the right support around him. “It’s about you and your goals,” he says. “You just keep pushing forward.” When asked whether he would recommend Recare and his Permobil F5, Tony is unequivocal:

“I’d absolutely recommend them. The chair has genuinely changed my life and the support I’ve had has been incredible.”