How Michael Regained His Freedom to Move

Name: Michael Smolnik Age: 54 Years old

Tell us a little more about yourself and what you have been doing?

I have always been an active person and have done a lot professionally, including being a qualified gas and water fitter (better known as a plumber). I also completed training as a dental technician.

I proved myself as a representative in the sale of vacuum cleaners, in assembly in shopfitting and also in a facility for disabled people, until I ended up in a large industrial company in the automotive sector.

There I initially started in production in shift work and accepted all the training measures that were offered to me. Among other things, I am a state-certified safety specialist (SiFa) and safety officer.

As I have always been very socially minded, after a short time I became a representative for severely disabled people and chairman of the works council at my company, where I worked for 25 years. My underlying illness (MS) and a severe course of Covid (with ventilation and coma) turned my life upside down and changed everything.

I have been married for 26 years, have no children and live with my lovely wife and my cat in our little house near Hamburg. I am currently looking for a new field of activity. I do fitness training 4 to 5 times a week, love riding my bike, which is called Ciara (the little black one) and my walker (Oswaldo).

They already follow me on Instagram (ciara.oswaldo and oswaldoswaldo). Since it is a cargo bike, "Oswaldo" can always come with me.

I am also appointed as a volunteer judge at the social court and the labor court. I like to travel around the world with my wife and Oswaldo, we have traveled to many places and met many people.

Why do you use a walking aid?

Due to my medical history, I am dependent on a number of aids. I have multiple sclerosis with a primary chronic course, I wear a spring orthosis on my right side because my right foot lifter no longer works,

I am extremely mobility-impaired and therefore need aids or walking aids. I am also suffering from the after-effects of a Covid 19 illness with a severe course of the disease in 2021. I have a wheelchair for particularly severe episodes, its name is Oswin. Thank God I rarely need it. I have tried all possible aids and am now very well looked after.

Why did you buy a Trionic Walker 14? How did you hear about the Trionic?

I specifically searched the internet for rollators with pneumatic tyres and came across Trionic by chance. I had previously had rollators with small, firm wheels and was always dissatisfied and unsteady when walking.

I live in an area where many streets are made of cobblestones and was therefore very excited to see whether the walker lived up to its name.

I was not disappointed, everything worked out great...from ordering to delivery, everything was excellent.

How did the Trionic help?

I walk much more safely than before with another rollator, I also walk a lot more and visit places that I would not or could not go to otherwise.

What is your best memory with the Trionic?

I can't possibly answer that because I have experienced so many wonderful things and still want to and will experience them.

What would you like to share with others?

Always believe in yourself and what you want, never let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. The Walker will bring you a step closer to your goals.