Feb 12 2018
From Swedish snows to beaches in Australian to mountains to hiking trails everywhere, Trionic’s Veloped is making outdoor life possible for people of all ages who previously struggled with varying disabilities. Designed and developed in Sweden, the Veloped has enhanced the health and happiness of Pennsylvania resident Jill Groves, 37.
Original article in Real Travel Adventures written by Linda Oatman, Real Travel Adventures
“It’s amazing how much the Trionic Veloped has impacted my life in such a short time,” reported Groves, who began using the walker in August of 2017, when she and her husband embarked on a cross-country road trip during the time of the eclipse. “I’ve been disabled for about 10 years, with varying levels of functioning that affect mostly my stamina and my ability to walk. I’ve acquired multiple devices through the years, trying to find the best option to allow me to remain active.” Jill Groves owns a plethora of walking aides: everything from canes to forearm crutches to a rollator walker to a 3-wheeled walker to a wheelchair. She relies mostly on the cane for short distances and the rollator walker for longer treks. In 2017, Groves began to become more active and adventurous, with the support of family and friends. She walked several 5K charity events with the rollator, which was somewhat helpful but also a bit of a hindrance. “When using the rollator off-road, it would constantly get caught and pitch forward on grass, stones, sticks, and bumps,” Jill recalled.
“It’s amazing how much the Trionic Veloped has impacted my life in such a short time”
The friction of the rollator also caused irritation and blisters on Jill’s palms if she didn’t wear gloves. Because of these inconveniences, Groves began searching the internet for a more user-friendly walker that might work better in off-road conditions. She knew that increased tyre size would be important, and her goal was to find a walking aide that would assist in future 5K walks and her upcoming cross-country vacation. Finding www.trionic.us during that web search changed Jill’s life. The Trionic Veloped was perfect for her needs.
“I couldn’t wait for the day it would be delivered and I could test it out,” Jill said. The day that the industrial-size box arrived, with two handles reinforced with plastic (making even the delivery employee’s life easier!), was an exciting one. The assembly instructions were very easy to follow,” said Jill. “Basically I just needed to attach the tyres and adjust the handle height.”
The Veloped’s tyres easily detach with the push of a button, making the walker simple to transport, and the handles have numbered notches for reminders of favorite settings. It was love at first step for Jill Groves that summer day.
“I tried the Veloped in the yard. I could easily walk on grass, and over tree roots and paver stones. I even tested it by rolling it over the stone fire pit that was piled with small logs and sticks. None of this stopped the Veloped, and I was in love with it.” A week after the Veloped’s arrival, Jill used it for the next 5K.
“I walked quicker than I have for any of the others,” Jill said. “I was able to walk without stumbling or getting caught on anything, including curbs, stones, and sewer drains, all of which would have impeded a regular rollator walker. The sliding seats allows for space to walk within the walker for better support, giving me the ability to take bigger steps without hitting the walker with my feet or shins. The basket is great for holding bottles of water and other items without fear of them falling out. It even has a build-in cover to protect items in the basket from rain.” The Veloped garnered lots attention that day, with many asking about the off-road mobility aide.
“Because it doesn’t look like a regular walker, I felt less disabled and more empowered,” Jill said. “For the first time in years, I kept up with non-disabled people . . . and during a race!” Then came the planned cross-country trip with her husband Derrick. The Groves were traveling in a small car, but transporting the Veloped was no problem. They attached the walker to a bike rack on the back of the vehicle. The first stop was a campground in Missouri, where the Groves would view the eclipse.
“Because it doesn’t look like a regular walker, I felt less disabled and more empowered”
“I was able to walk all over the campground, and I used the Veloped to carry my laundry when it was time to do the wash,” Jill reported. “The owner of the campground used a rollator walker, but I introduced her to the Veloped and she loved it. She used it to get around the campground and to personally visit each campsite.” After the total eclipse of the sun, the Groves continued on to Arkansas, where they would visit a gem-mining field. It was there that Jill gave the Veloped the nickname of “Jasper,” the gem that the Groves dug up the most.
“It was acres of tilled field with a few gravel pathways. The only thing that stopped the Veloped was the deep rows of soil. I was able to get around all the rest, including the muddy patches where others didn’t want to go. I was also able to walk around the town where we stayed, and visit shops and restaurants. Not all areas had sidewalks, but I was able to keep going as if there were.” If it sounds as if the Veloped is magic, it is.
“Climbing to the peak of Mount Mitchell was our next destination,” Jill said. “The Veloped helped me to walk all the way up to the peak viewing area.” Groves now looks forward to future hiding adventures that without the Veloped were inaccessible. The final destination of the Groves’ road trip was North Carolina, where they visited several beaches along the coast.
“Because it doesn’t look like a regular walker, I felt less disabled and more empowered”
“I had apprehension and I thought that maybe the Veloped had met its match, and that I would have the normal struggle or inability to walk on the dry sand and down to the water line,” Jill recalled. “Boy, was I wrong! I walked right onto the beach and down to the water without a struggle or losing my balance. It’s been about ten years since I could do that! I was then able to take a romantic walk along the surf at sunset with my husband. It felt so great; I didn’t want to leave at the end of the evening.” Jill’s trip was an absolute dream, she said, and she was thrilled at being able to participate in activities that would have been impossible without the Trionic Veloped.
And now, the future looks bright for Jill Groves, with Jasper in her life.
“The Veloped has truly improved my life and my confidence in myself to do more and to explore many more new adventures in the future,” Jill said.
The Trionic company, founded by a few young men in Sweden, is changing and improving lives all over the world. Disability has become ability, and the impossible has become possible.
This article has first been published in Real Travel Adventures please visit for more travel stories
Absolutely amazing service to the needs of the mobility challenged!…
To me, the most amazing thing about the Trionic company is that the inventor of Trionic products (the Veloped and the Walker), Stefan Kindberg, is so available to serve the customers for these remarkable devices. He personally sees to it that they ar…
I am glad that I bought this expensive rollator…
I have nothing to complain about, I am completely satisfied. At 91 years old and with a few complaints, I do my daily fast walk to mobilise the circulation. (I couldn't walk fast with the one paid from the health insurance.)
Loading it into the car…
Bought for mother, she loves it.…
My 87-year-old mother with a false hip and two false knees saw this and thought it would be far more comfortable than the standard one she has. She loves it. Easy and comfortable. Goes up kerbs easily. Not small to pack away or get on buses but great…
I have just taken delivery of the Walker & Veloped…
Amazing machines, both of them, and I have no doubt whatsoever that they will make a big difference to me.
The quality of the construction is really excellent, and that was apparent the moment I opened the boxes. Beautifully made, these two machi…
The Walker 14 was the best purchase……
The Walker 14 was the best purchase ever made. It has provided the independence, security to get around and also the seat is fantastic when needing a rest. Thank you.…
Veloped Tour 12er M black/reflex/red…
I use this for walking my dogs every day. I am delighted with it. I wish that I had known about it years ago. I have used a walker for years, but have never had such a good one as this. I walk a lot better with this one. We can have longer walks and …
There is nothing as good existing!…
I received my Veloped on time in a very sturdy packaging and tried it out with my wife in Trier the following weekend.
It is a wonderful device, the developers have come up with some great solutions that you won't find on any other walker (this is…
Streets paved with old cobblestones…
My husband had fallen a few times in the last few months, but he still refused to use a rollator. That's why I looked around for a better one than the ones usually offered in German medical shops. I found the Walker and suggested it to my husband. He…
