When you are in hospital for months at a time, it’s vital that you can keep in touch with friends and family, read what’s going on in the outside world and find ways to keep yourself entertained. Aspire’s computer suites in the specialist Spinal Injury Centres go a long way to helping the patients achieve this, and the Assistive Technology ensures that anyone, regardless of the level of their injury, can use them.

But sometimes it’s just not possible to get down to the computers. Perhaps because of a skin mark, or following surgery, for example, patients can find themselves on bed rest, often for extended periods. But if you can’t get to the computers, we can make sure that the computers come to you. We’ve had mobile computer units in the hospitals for some time and have been working to improve on these to make them easier to use. The latest versions give totally flexibility when it comes to setting up the computer and screen, meaning that even those who have to lie totally flat can have the screen placed directly above them, giving them full use of the computer. And, of course, all of our Assistive Technology can be fitted to the computers, ensuring that everyone can have independent use of them.

The latest mobile units arrived at Aspire this week, purchased through the funding supplied by Active Assistance to upgrade the computer facilities. Perhaps appropriately with Christmas fast approaching, our Assistive Technology Manager, Andrew, spent yesterday opening boxes and unwrapping packages before putting everything together ready to be sent out to the hospitals that need them.