How would you feel and how would you cope with life if you became paraplegic?
John Norton, a YouTuber from Connecticut, was diagnosed as a paraplegic after an accident. He also struggled with depression and had a history of substance addiction. However, over the past seven years, he has adopted a healthier lifestyle, quit smoking, overcome his addiction, and now shares his daily routine, fitness routines, strategies for overcoming depression, and his outlook on life and its challenges through his videos.
"I suffered a spinal cord injury in 2010 that left me paralyzed. I don't want to let that define me," says John. He hopes that his positive attitude will show others who are going through a rough patch or facing similar challenges that it is possible to find happiness in stressful situations and overcome depression. "I just show how to stay positive in a stressful situation and how to find meaning in life. Basically, I just want to help others succeed in life," John adds.
In the years following his diagnosis, life was incredibly difficult for John. He could not walk, move, stand, or move around independently. He was dependent on a wheelchair, a bed, or other people to help him with daily activities. Even basic needs such as dressing, eating, bathing, and using the toilet required help from others or special equipment.
In addition to the physical obstacles, the psychological challenges were even more overwhelming. Faced with sudden physical limitations, John felt an overwhelming sense of loss and a surreal alienation from his former life. He fell into depression, had difficulty participating in social activities, and felt the crushing weight of social isolation and loneliness.
At this time, John desperately needed to redefine his life goals and meaning, a process that proved to be long and difficult.
"Life is short; we must all learn to move on." Thankfully, after years of physical and mental torment, John decided to move on. He started exercising again and rediscovered the long-lost feeling of toned muscles and a racing heartbeat. He started reading and found inner peace and inspiration in books. He began traveling and is living his life to the fullest again. Inspired by the stories of others, he began sharing his own life online in the hopes of helping people like him. His influence reaches far beyond his followers.
At the time, VOCIC was looking for a confident, bold influencer who took a positive approach to life to represent the brand's mission - to help users regain independence and mobility. They discovered John. The marketing team quickly reached out to him via email and realized he was a perfect fit for the VOCIC V55 lightweight electric wheelchair. Shortly after shipping the product, VOCIC received his honest feedback.
First, he tested the versatility of the V55 wheelchair: "It can go over different terrains," John said. He tested it on hiking trails, around a lake and in the city and noted, "It works great in all situations." The chair's performance left a strong impression on John.
"It folds up really easily. There's a little tab at the back and then it just folds up - it fits in the boot of a car," John explained in his video. The size of the V55 was perfect for fitting into a vehicle with the help of a ramp and there were almost no problems. "The stability is really good and it seems to have quite a bit of weight on the bottom so I had no problems tipping backwards when getting into the van or anything like that. After that I took the chair on a hiking trail," John added.
Finally, John summed up the benefits of the V55 wheelchair , saying:
Well built : "He has great speed. He's well built because I noticed the welds on the chair are really good," he said.
Comfortable Backrest : John also appreciated the V55's backrest. "It has a high-quality backrest, and the backrest is comfortable," he said after sitting in the chair for an extended period of time.
Long range : "It has a high quality joystick and shock absorbers that make it easy to ride. It holds a good charge and has the ability to carry two batteries. It comes with one, but you could put two in so you can ride further," John added. Overall, John is really grateful and thinks the chair is very versatile and cool. "If you're interested in something like this, I definitely recommend it," John said.
The VOCIC V55 wheelchair becomes an integral part of John Norton’s life, making his outings easier and enriching his life.
You can also watch John's video below "VOCIC Folding Power Wheelchair!? My Quadriplegic Review" for more details.
“There is only one heroism in the world: to see the world as it is and to love it.” – Romain Rolland
As Romain Rolland said, true heroism is not about defeating enemies or accomplishing great deeds; it is about facing the hardships, the pain, the harsh realities of life and, after realizing these truths, still looking at life positively and continuing to love it. John did that. More importantly, John uses his story to encourage many people like him to strive to make the world a better place.
If, like John, you are suffering from an illness or are going through a difficult time in life, you may find some help in John's story. As does the belief he shares with others: "Go to your health; stay strong and active."
Life is indeed short, and we only live once. VOCIC also believes that there is always a way to solve problems, as long as you are willing to take the first step towards change and reach out to those you care about. VOCIC will always be there to support you, just like the VOCIC V53 wheelchair did for John.
