David Jones, a local Multiple Sclerosis patient from Flintshire, North Wales, received a large donation from the employees of KnitMesh Technologies to fund essential wheelchair lighting.
David Jones, 67, was diagnosed with Progressive Degenerative Multiple Sclerosis in his early 50s. Due to the severity of his illness, he is completely immobile below the waist and relies on ceiling hosts, an electric bed and his new QUICKIE Q400® wheelchair to move around.
David obtained an electrical engineering degree with honours from the former Kelsterton and Wrexham Technical Colleges (now Wrexham Glyndŵr University). His health declined during the height of his successful career as an Automation Engineer in the metals and paper production industries, which took him to twenty-two different countries.
David met his wife Lorraine in 1970 and now shares three children, nine grandchildren and a bulldog named Violet. Despite his physical limitations, David has a strong desire to travel with his family. He even drove the entire length of the United States in ten weeks, stopping at the Grand Canyon and twenty-eight state capitals along the way.
When David was younger, he and Lorraine frequently rode motorcycles together, with David at the controls and his wife riding pillion. They still love to hit the open road together, but instead of motorcycles, they now drive a custom Volkswagen Transporter equipped with a side-entry wheelchair lift.
Friends and family have dubbed David the “Storm Rider” as he never shows fear or gives up in the face of adversity. David and his family took part in the MS Challenge in 2006 and raised £3,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. In a race against the clock, the group carried his wheelchair uphill and through muddy swamps to reach the finish line.
David continues to maintain his freedom by travelling with Lorraine, hanging out in his workshop and man cave, and leaving the house unaccompanied.
The lack of adequate lighting on his wheelchair severely restricts his independence and prevents him from venturing out alone at night. Despite his best efforts, he failed to secure funding for the lights from the local council as they are not deemed essential. KnitMesh Technologies employees stepped up with a generous contribution to help pay for the lights.
“Our employees stepped in when they learned that retired engineer David Jones needed lights for his wheelchair. By affixing lights to his wheelchair, David can go on with his life and pursue his passions,” says Peter Evans, General Manager at KnitMesh Technologies. “It was a pleasure to be of assistance to David and we look forward to following his future endeavours.”
David now plans to resume his independent lifestyle and indulge his wanderlust with more cross-country trips and perhaps even a second trip across the United States.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that can affect any part of the body, including vision, movement of the arms or legs, sensation, and balance.
MS is a chronic, often debilitating, condition that can appear at any age. In MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that covers nerve fibres, disrupting signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
Although MS has no known cure, there are a number of treatments available that can help keep the disease under control and alleviate its symptoms.
Please visit the MS Society‘s website for more information on Multiple Sclerosis and donation options.
