Milwaukee VA Medical Center

Ed Beesley, a Veteran who lost his legs in Vietnam, dances with his wife Connie while demonstrating the iBOT Personal Mobility Device at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. (Photo by Amanda Urrea)

And then they danced.

Despite having no legs or prosthetics, Veteran Ed Beesley took the hand of his wife Connie outside the Milwaukee VA Medical Center on Thursday, and the two swayed to nonexistent music, smiling and looking into each others’ eyes.

The eye-to-eye – and nearly cheek-to-cheek – dance was possible thanks to the iBOT Personal Mobility Device that has changed Beesley’s life.

Unlike a traditional power wheelchair, the iBOT allows users to elevate to eye level of those around them. It also deftly maneuvers on difficult terrain – including sand, snow, rocks and grass -- and can even climb stairs.

And thanks to a collaboration with Mobius Mobility and the VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence, the Milwaukee VA’s Spinal Cord Injury Center will receive two iBOTS to add to its arsenal of tools to help Veterans.

During Thursday’s ceremony, officials and staff were introduced to the iBOT through a demonstration by Beesley, an Oklahoma Veteran who lost his legs to a land mine in Vietnam while serving with the Marines in 1967.

“This is a life-changing device,” Beesley said, noting that since he lost his legs, he has seen his share of technological advances.

“I’ve seen all the changes that have come down the pike, and to me, as far as mobility devices, this is the greatest,” he said.

David Kontak of Mobius Mobility demonstrates the iBOTs ability to climb stairs. (Photo by Amanda Urrea)

The iBOT’s ability to navigate rugged terrain has helped Beesley maintain his five acres of land in Oklahoma, and it has allowed him to enjoy the beach with his wife.

But the iBOT’s ability to raise up so users can interact with others eye-to-eye, has had more subtle – but equally profound – effects, Beesley said.

People are forced to looked down when talking with someone in a conventional wheelchair, and that can have a belittling effect, Beesley said.

“When I’m sitting down … even at my age, sometimes I feel like they see me as a little kid. And a lot of times people talk to me that way,” he said. “People like to be able to look you in the eye. It makes you feel like a human being.

“I notice the difference in the way people look at me, treat me and talk to me when I’m in the iBOT,” he said. “The iBOT gives me back some of that dignity. It allows me to stand, look you in the eye and carry on a conversation.”

Mobius Mobility is donating 50 iBOTs to spinal cord injury centers at 25 VA hospital across the country. Each SCI gets two – one to be used in-house, the other to be donated to a Veteran. Mobius also provides all support and training for the medical teams at the hospitals.

The iBOT has been in development for more than 20 years, according to Lucas Merrow, CEO of Mobius Mobility, going through numerous iterations as engineers worked to improve it.

“It’s one of the best examples … of the hard work and commitment that innovation really takes,” he said, lauding the engineers at Mobius for making the iBOT a reality.

VA officials accept donation of the iBOT at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. From left are Lucas Merrow, CEO of Mobius Mobility; David Kontak of Mobius Mobility; Dr. Daniel Zomchek, Milwaukee VA Medical Center director; Leandro DaSilva, interim project manager for the VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence; Ed Beesley, Vietnam Veteran and iBOT user; Victoria Brahm, director of Veterans Integrated Service Network 12; and Dr. Ken Lee, director of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at the Milwaukee VA.

He said the engineers could probably make more money elsewhere, but he said they’re committed to helping those with disabilities – especially Veterans.

“We appreciate what you do,” he told the SCI staff. “We admire what you do, and we admire people with disabilities. It’s from that place of admiration that we find the commitment to do what we do.”

“That’s what we’re here for – for the Veterans,” said Leandro DaSilva, interim project manager with the VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence, which is collaborating with Mobius Mobility to bring the iBOTS to the VA hospitals.

DaSilva lauded the SCI staff, saying it’s their work that truly makes a difference in Veterans’ lives, calling it the “gold standard” in health care.

He noted that the iBOT will be another tool for VA medical centers to use to further that commitment to Veterans.

“It’s super inspirational to me. It’s amazing to me to see the connection the patients have with the staff. The work you do day in and day out … you are rock stars,” he said.

In accepting the iBOT donation, Milwaukee VA Medical Center Director Dr. Daniel Zomchek said the device will help the SCI staff continue to provide excellent care for Veterans.

“One of the things that we’re always looking at is how to augment the expertise you have with technology and equipment,” he said. “That’s how I see this: It is an option for a newer technology … that you can use to help our Veterans.”