Ups and downs

"I got the idea for this after my father Soli became housebound and had difficulty climbing up and down the stairs of his second-floor flat when his asthma acted up,” Jamshed Dalal, designer and manufacturer of Seedee, a battery operated wheelchair that helps the elderly and disabled ascend and descend stairs, told Parsiana on August 23, 2019. The wheelchairs need to be maneuvered by an attendant. "Stable and self supporting, durable tracks attached to the chair grip the stairs securely,” said the 40-year-old mechanical engineer. The charge in the batteries lasts up to 25 flights. The equipment is portable and can be stored in a vehicle. Powered to carry up to 125 kg, the chairs are available in six models (including two without a battery which can only bring patients down the stairs, and cannot be used for ascending), some of which have 10” diameter wheels for outdoor use. A premium model fitted with a joystick that can be operated by the occupant for outdoor use is also available. Prices range from Rs 25,000 for the basic model to Rs 1,65,000 for the top of the line one. Maintenance is minimal, Dalal stated. Assembled in Wadala in central Bombay, the products come with a one-year warranty, extendable on request, for a fee. "Seventy-five percent of the components are imported,” stated Dalal.
When seated in the chair, the invalid, strapped in with a safety belt, faces the foot of the stairs while an attendant "pulls” the chair upwards, smoothly on the retractable tracks. While descending, the patient faces the downward incline of the stairs. The Parsiana representative who was given a demo was apprehensive about falling forward when he was being brought down the stairs. Dalal said no accidents have taken place so far. The chair "is a boon for people who have not left their homes in a long time,” he added.
"We train the attendant to use the chair until he or she and the client is comfortable in using the equipment,” the engineer explained. The chair may not be able to bring value without the availability of an attendant.

Approximately 350 chairs have been sold since he started operations three years ago. He listed the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the Cathedral and John Connon School among his clients. Dalal stated the equipment is used by a few Parsi individuals. Would the chair not help many in the aging community? Dalal admits he has not thought about making a pitch to trustees of housing colonies and baugs. "Our chairs are used by some elderly people among the Calcutta Parsis, though,” he added. Renting options are available, for a minimum of one month for people who may not need long-term assistance. Dalal’s wife Jasmine looks after the renting business. "We are also thinking of making the chairs available on a daily basis, when someone has a special occasion and wants to take an elderly relative along,” Jamshed said.
"We are quite religious, but not overly so,” Jamshed spoke on behalf of himself, Jasmine and their children Farshak and Ginelle. He can be contacted on 9890149666/7999940327. Their website is www.seedeewheelchair.com

FARROKH JIJINA