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Testimonials

Our customers tell you their experiences with our products, and how that product has helped or made a difference in their lives or new things that has allowed them to do.  Share your story with us!  
I read your comments to stay motivated when I start getting burnt out, frustrated, etc. -Mark Felling

Jim & Paula Hutzler, West Virginia
[Jim is a third level engineer with General Dynamics writing to the Sprint team lead for 3M]
"E***, Here is the single best source of equipment and expertise in the industry. Mark Felling and his company has provided the technology and the inspiration that has enabled my wife, Paula, to regain her independence. Paula suffered a c5/c6 injury in 2005 that resulted in quadriplegia. She came home to me after 3 months of rehab, completely dependent on others. Paula has had the very best medical care and rehabilitation including months of estim and physical therapy, but it has been Mark Felling's technology and his dogged determination that has enable Paula regain her independence.  Paula can make calls and receive calls any time and any place she wants to. She can use her computer normally. She has rejoined the world at large thanks to Mark.

I have searched everywhere. I've spent $150,000 out of pocket for Paula's care and her equipment. My medical insurance has paid nearly $750,000 for medical care and rehabilitation at one of the best facilities in the world, the Kessler Institute. To the best of my ability, I have provided her the absolute best.  But it is Mark Felling who has provided the technological expertise to bring my lovely wife back to me.  His stuff just works.

Mary Gulick, Kansas City, Missouri
"Oh my gosh, Mark, I think I love you!  If you are ever in Kansas City, let me cook you dinner .... you have been such a help to me as this is new to us. My son (Ron) will be going to Craig in two weeks for his six month re-eval... [he will use the Comfort Carrier] for that transfer to the airplane.  Thank you for the Web links to the toys ... this is such help coming from someone who knows what my son is going through." [New comment six months later] "My son loves his sip and puff play station to play with his son....you have no idea how happy it makes him when he can play games like that with his (5 year old) son!"

"Mark was the guest speaker at UCP’s annual meeting last fall. He showed us several of the assistive technology products he’d been developing, and later advised the purchase of several devices to add to UCP’s demo and loan library. Those items have been used extensively by the community, and therefore I conclude that the recommendations he gave me were very intuitive.  Mark always takes the time to follow up either by phoning after a transaction is complete to be sure setup was as easy as promised or, on occasion, stops into the office to help with setup and inform me of new technology that will soon be available. His good advice and excellent follow-through exceed the normal scope of customer service."

Steve Freier, Belmont, California
Center for Independence of the Disabled - Assistive Technology Coordinator
"BTW -  I took a look at your website.  You are quite a fine inventor! You have a lot of innovative solutions.  I encourage everyone reading this to take a look!"  -  Post on Alliance for Technology Access e-mail list for AT Professionals

Renée, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
"Thank you for bringing your equipment and presenting on the DNR stage at the State Fair!  You're an excellent public speaker!"

Jeffrey Brown, Pennsylvania
"I do use it a lot [Vocalize]!  Thanks again for all your wonderful support and help!  You're a Giant among Gimp's!"  Jeff also uses our VoiceIR, & Computer Head Mouse Controller, & Wireless Microphone


Ken Jasch, M.A.Ed, Chicago, Illinois

Mr. Robin D. Walls, Brunswick, Maine
"The VoiceIR Infrared Voice Controller has been a great addition to making me more independent.  Before the VoiceIR, I had to keep calling on my wife to change the TV channel or volume, which became rather annoying after a short period of time.  I also have the Vocalize! Cell Phone Complete Voice Control System, and at times the TV would be to loud to answer my phone, now I can turn it down before answering the phone.  The Vocalize bed mic makes things even better to control the phone.  

I am now able to watch TV when I'm alone; my wife works full time so I am alone a lot.  I have started out slow with the VoiceIR to get use to it, and can't wait for hot weather to use it on my air conditioner.  I'm planning to put my stereo in my bedroom along with a DVD player.  The tube that's close to my mouth is for me to get water and to hold the bed microphone that goes to my wheelchair cell phone system."


Noel Zugay, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
"I have had my Vocalize Telephone for about three months.  I changed the command "telephone" to "COOKIE".  I am driving everyone crazy, referring to COOKIE as if she is my best friend.  I can talk to friends, conduct daily business, and feel safer when alone.  COOKIE has changed my life.  Thank you.  Thank you."

Joe Sendon, Randolph, New Jersey
"I really like the Vocalize system.  It's really amazing!  I thought there would be some problem that wasn't advertised but there isn't! It works great! In fact, I'm shocked at how easy and reliable it actually is!
A friend of mine installed it for me in an afternoon. The installation was a matter of connecting a few wires to the wheelchair batteries and positioning the Vocalize components. Mark was even available to answer questions during and after installation!
I'm a quad that drives and had an old analog phone installed in my van over fifteen years ago.  I rarely talk on the phone but need it for safety reasons, like if I break down on the road, need to call my nurse or family members for whatever reason, etc.
With all this new technology, I thought it would be easy to find a truly hands-free cell phone, but it's not. Vocalize is the only system I found to fit all my needs. Plus, with it working right off my wheelchair, I can make a call from anywhere, which is an added bonus I didn't have with my previous van phone. Now, if I get stuck in the backyard, I can call someone for help without lifting a finger, which I can't do anyway!  I'm amazed how this works and adds to my safety.
I'm very happy with the Vocalize system and recommend it to anyone who wants a truly hands-free cell phone."
Jason Parkinson, Carlsborg Washington
"The [Vocalize] system has been working pretty good overall. Because I live alone, answering calls at night, or just for emergencies is vital to my independence. The system seems to work quite well on picking up on my voice. I can have the TV going, as long as the volume is low, it still seems to work ok. The recognition of my voice is pretty darn good overall.  At night I park my chair about 12 feet away from me and off to the front right. I am not using [the bed kit]. The microphone is about 10 to 12 feet from me [on my wheelchair] when i lay in bed and it still works pretty darn good. I'm using the [Lapel] mic that has a base that lets it swivel and I have it mounted right in front of my joystick, pointed towards my face, probably about 18 inches away from my mouth. I use the same mic during the day [and at night] so i don't have to change anything. It's pretty cool!"

1 Year Later... "Thanks for your help the other day trouble shooting the reinstallation of my Vocalize cell phone system. I also wanted to thank you for the Comfort Carrier, it works really good. You have some great inventions that are really helping a lot of people and making big differences in their lives. I imagine my next purchase will be the new IR system [VoiceIR]. Thumbs up on all your great inventions!!"

Mike Blaylock
I want to thank you for the information about the phone program.  I now have one.  It's the same phone that I purchased two of so I'm familiar with it.  I really appreciate what you did... Again I thank you and I will definitely let people at the MS Achievement Center know about you when I get back there.
(Editorial Comment: Sometimes our solutions may not be the best fit for everyone, but were not afraid to tell you or where to find the most appropriate products to fit your needs!)

Mary Bower, Norfolk, CT
I have the headset up and running.  Actually, I'm enjoying it very much.  I feel it is doing a better job than the wired in headset.  I was a little apprehensive about using voice recognition with Bluetooth in Windows Vista, but it seems to work very well.  I want to thank you for all the time and trouble you have taken with me.  I certainly have run into a lot of snags, and you got me out of them just fine.  I am using the headset in my ear, because that seems to be the easiest for me to use.  I still run into problems, but so far I have been able to work them out. Thank you for all the time and trouble you have spent working with me.  I am very grateful.



Elanie Link (for son John), Illinois, USA
Comfort Carrier made going to Portugal for Stem Cell Surgery Possible!
"We returned home from Portugal yesterday.  The surgery went very well.  Now John will have extended physical therapy and any gains he may have from the stem cell graft may show up over the next months and years.  The Comfort Carry worked very well moving John between wheelchair and airplane seat.  My husband and I did the transfers with a helper from the airline quickly moving the Roho seat cushion from one seat to another.  My husband lifted John's torso using the middle set of hand loops.  I lifted his legs...  I cannot imagine how we would have accomplished the moves without the carrier.  It was especially necessary on the way home when my son had a big incision on the back of his neck and we had to be extra careful.  Anyway, I was extremely thankful that I had come across a link to your site and your product before the trip.  Thanks for your great invention in the Comfort Carrier.  We practiced with it at home a couple of times before we took off, and it definitely made all our lives easier during the transfers.  My husband has had back surgery and I'm a 56-year-old woman with a pacemaker, but we could handle the job. In every airport they looked at us with disbelief when we said we would be moving John by ourselves."

Walt Balenovich, Toronto Canada
That transfer sling is quite ingenious...I have scurried across and over many a small aircraft wing in Kenya and Australia and it can be a bit dangerous, and I am a cross between a para and a quad!  Nice to see that we have an Edison like you on our side, making life easier!

William L. Bussear - Isla Aguada, Campeche, Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula)
"I purchased a Comfort Carrier from Mark and it has almost eliminated in the extreme hassle of getting on and getting off aircraft! I still have to be carried and I still have to be put on that damn "crucifixion chair" but it has eliminated the "manhandling" and the "accidental dropping" totally!  EVERYONE who uses a wheelchair needs to buy this product before you fly again! I am suggesting that all of my clients who fly to Freedom Shores buy one before they leave! It is also wonderful for getting in and out of kayaks here at Freedom Shores.  It makes transitioning from the wheelchair to the kayak a simple process. Mark, congratulations on a great product!"

"I am very happy that I met Mark Felling! He is a wonderful example of someone who is waging a furious and courageous fight against quadriplegia! His enthusiasm is contagious and the products he offers the handicap community is impressive and extremely utilitarian! I personally purchased one of his Comfort Carriers and it is an exemplary product. It makes getting on and getting off a passenger aircraft much safer and much easier on everyone involved!  I hope to meet him and personally share ideas with him in March of 2008!"

Matt Keil - Iraq Veteran - Parker Colorado, USA
Matt, a quadriplegic from a sniperin Iraq, and his wife Tracy shared these comments as they were preparing to fly to Florida with the Comfort Carrier after recently returning from a flight to Craig Hospital in Denver. They also mentioned showing the Comfort Carrier there with very positive responses! "I am not sure you are using [the Comfort Carrier] to its full potential, and trust me we use it to it's full potential! I bring it everywhere - we even used it to furniture shop so that Matt could try out all the couches in the store. We moved him around the entire furniture store in that thing....we love it! We also took him in/out of the pool with it on vacation. It worked great..."  Matt's CaringBridge webpage.

Stephen Trott - Surrey, United Kingdom
"I have just returned from a trip to Florida, which gave me the chance to use the Comfort Carrier to its fullest.  I found that with just a little practice it is in place and ready for use in just a couple of minutes.  I put it on at the gate just before being called.  In the UK the ground crews tend to be shorter and not as strong as in the US, however 3 guys managed to lift me relatively easily from wheelchair to the aisle chair. [The Comfort Carrier's] main advantage in the aisle chair is it helped maintain a good and safe position, they were then able to easily lift me from the aisle chair to [airplane] seat, and then importantly position me easily for the flight.  In the US, 2 ground crew found it very easy to do the reverse. On the return flight the ground crew manager remarked that ‘It was the easiest transfer he had done’.  The Comfort Carrier made the flight the easiest and most comfortable that I have done."

Wayne C. Wurtz, PTA, BS, President, Comprehensive Injury Prevention Solutions, Inc.
"I consult for injury prevention with a human services company.  The Comfort Carrier has caught on recently through my recommendation with this company.  The first one I purchased has been deployed and has been used is a residential setting.  It has helped balance the 2-person head and toe transfer.  It allows for improved lifting mechanics when transferring from the floor, which is typically the hardest place to transfer someone from."

Kristin Forster - Hastings, Minnesota, USA
"Thank you so much for creating the Comfort Carrier. We ordered it for my dad just for emergencies like falling out of the wheelchair or equipment failure. By the time we received it in the mail, my dad had all kinds of ideas of where he wanted to go! We have taken him into the house he grew up in, and have a hot-air balloon ride reserved for this fall. My dad is 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds, but my mom and I can easily carry him wherever he wants to go. Maybe we’ll even start to think about a winter vacation someplace warm. J  It’s very easy to use. Nice and sturdy!!  Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!"

Judy Moening, Executive Director, United Cerebral Palsy of Central MN
“Mark Felling, an engineer and inventor with quadriplegia, attended our United Cerebral Palsy Adaptive Bike and Recreation Fair in 2006 and demonstrated his Comfort Carrier Transfer Sling. Everyone was impressed with Mark’s professionalism and his desire to solve a significant barrier for people with disabilities and their caregivers -- transferring from one location to another. The Comfort Carrier is easy to use and easy to store, so you can always have it handy. Through his personal trials, Mark has developed a safe solution that we think will be of benefit to many individuals with disabilities as well as care facilities and public businesses. After such disasters as hurricane Katrina, we think the Comfort Carrier should be available in all facilities that house or employ individuals with disabilities or in the homes of people who need to be transferred from wheelchairs.”

Cindy & Jenna Johnson - Woodbury, Minnesota, USA
"We would highly recommend the Comfort Carrier! It is a wonderful design that enables our daughter Jenna to get places she couldn't go before. We use it to get her up the steps to the second floor of our home, but most importantly to Jenna, we use it to get her in and out or our speedboat and into the tube to ride behind it. The Comfort Carrier even made airplane transfers a breeze. Before we had the Comfort Carrier her dad had to do all the lifting....now we can help him too!  And, she feels more comfortable and safer....what could be better than that."
Wearing Comfort Carrier, ready to go upstairs
Going up/down a narrow stairwell
From wheelchair down to the beach
Into the tube for some wild fun on the water!
The Johnson family recently took a trip using the Comfort Carrier for getting on/off the aircraft, into a family member's second-story very inaccessible duplex, from wheelchair to water to go swimming in the ocean at an inaccessible beach, and later at a hotel.  

The family also loves water sports behind their powerboat, and Jenna appreciates it makes hanging out with mom and dad upstairs much easier on everyone!

Jeremy & Sophie Cox, United Kingdom
"Comfort carrier was received on Friday 14th July. It works really well and enables us to go to New York and not need to hire a patient lift.  Well done!!!! Thanks for the prompt service. From one very happy family!"

JU and wife CU, Connecticut USA
"I purchased the Comfort Carrier in case of an emergency.  I have fallen out of the wheelchair a few times. Usually I call the police dept. to pick me up and put be back in the chair.  It is somewhat uncomfortable for me and embarrassing. I weigh quit a bit and it is awkward for more than one person to pick me up.  The Comfort Carrier allows more than one person to help and I feel more secure and also less embarrassed. I had a stroke one year ago.  I am 59.  I am unable to walk with paralysis on my right side.  [With the Comfort Carrier] My wife has hopes of us traveling and also taking me fishing. We anticipate situations where a wheelchair might not work. The Comfort Carrier would help in those predicaments."

Zaiton Osman, Singapore
"Received the Comfort Carrier today. Thank you for delivering it promptly. The carrier is for my mother who cannot walk due to severe arthritis.  Thank you."  [Yes we ship to most countries around the world!]



C. A. Thor, Security and Facility Supervisor, Cable One, Inc., Phoenix, AZ
"Mr. Felling... If a man is measured not by what he acquires but by what he gives, then your contribution to helping disabled folks live and work safer and the lives that may be saved thanks to your product are important weights in the balance of your life, my friend.  I hope I can say something like that in my life someday.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
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