After a lifetime dedicated to caring for others, Judi Martin’s world changed in an instant.

What can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Judi Martin and I am 61. All my working I life I was a qualified nurse. I had such a passion for life. I would travel, sometimes alone. I went to Italy alone and also Egypt and onto Jordan to visit Petra. I loved walking. That was my favourite past time. I loved being surrounded by nature. It both stimulated me and calmed me! In 2010 I lost my little grandson who was 2 years old. A trauma I will never forget as it was down to neglect. Little did I know that just 5 months later I would lose a huge part of my independence too. I was on a walking break in Yorkshire. On the second day I suffered a life changing brain injury. A subarachnoid haemorrhage. I survived after having brain surgery, and i actually wished I had died! I lost my ability to work. I lost self worth. I lost the ability to contribute financially. I became depressed and suicidal. I was left with severe balance issues which I find hard to describe. Kind of like being drunk without out the sick feeling. My life was awful. I fought so hard to carry on and do what I could. Every day was a living hell!.

Why did you reach out to the company Trionic?

I approached social services to see if they could provide me with a walking aid which they kindly did. I needed to get out however hard it was. I was going stir crazy. Well the walker was awful! Even on small gravel it crippled my joints in my arms. I’d visit my local National Trust and each time I thought it would be the last. It kept breaking. It caused me too much pain and I decided enough was enough. I’d be confined to my house again. I felt utterly hopeless. So hopeless and so depressed I tried taking my life twice!

Some days were better than others. Some days I dug deep and forced myself to achieve tiny goals. I had a moment of epiphany!! I got my tablet and literally typed in “robust walking aids”. Trionic appeared. I read about the veloped and walker for hours over the coming days. My thoughts were “you cannot put a price on mobility” so took the plunge and ordered the veloped. It arrived quickly. I loved it immensely. It gave me back the ability to walk again without the added pain due to the pneumatic tyres. I can almost go anywhere I like! It’s true I cannot go miles anymore but it’s given me back a life I had lost. I also bought the walker for more urban areas. I had stopped having holidays! I thought what was the point? I booked one in Cornwall and I managed to go on the beach with my veloped. My next goal was to visit my brother in Ireland on a plane. Crazy I know but I had lost all  my confidence. I purchased a travel bag and took the walker. I made it there! By plane. Without Trionic this would never have happened!

What have you been able to do with your Trionic that you initially did not think you could do?

Having managed a short plane trip to Ireland I thought maybe I could do something a little more daunting! By now I had established that both walking aids could be taken anywhere I wanted to go as both are so comfortable to use. I have joint issues too and the wheels are so fabulous I get little or no pain using both.

What is your next goal and trip with your trionic? 

I’ve taken the plunge and booked a weeks cruise to the Norwegian Fiords in June 2025. My only issue is which one to take. I know I will still be frustrated because I’m still limited to what I can achieve. I was once super woman. Physically the brain injury put paid to the amount I can do physically. One thing is certain though. Without my Trionic walking aids I couldn’t go for a walk. I’d not be doing what I can now do. I’d be a virtual prisoner in my home. I still get frustrated. I still feel worthless at times but thanks to Trionic my life is so much better.  Everywhere I go people comment on my veloped! Some even take photos. Happy that somebody else may benefit like me but I just have to get over the stigma of using a walking aid with an invisible disability! That’s down to my fierce and stubborn independent streak!????