Orbit 235 Rotating Bed revolutionises life for remarkable retired entrepreneur

Douglas, known as ‘Doug’, was an accountant and entrepreneur who built multiple businesses from the age of 35. From humble beginnings with only ‘a few shillings in his pocket’, he went onto own several wholesale, retail, joinery and electrical firms and was responsible for fitting out offices in London’s stock exchange.

Doug also went onto establish today’s largest independent record management company in the UK. Fast forward to today and despite all of Doug‘s health challenges, requiring 24/7 care, he remains a humble and charming man. One of the biggest problems his care team faced was getting Doug in and out of bed at home – this has been resolved by ownership of an Orbit Rotating Bed from Theraposture.

“It’s a marvellous, marvellous help to everybody this Orbit bed.”

Before owning the Orbit, Doug was manually assisted into and out of a standard domestic double bed with a grab handle. Doug’s mobility difficulties were directly caused by two strokes and bed transfers were becoming unsafe for him and his carers. “It was backbreaking work for them,” explains Doug.

“I knew I had to find a way to help them and to help myself. I started searching online last summer and found what looked like several possible solutions. I needed a bed that would remove the need for me to be manually lifted by my carers as this was so painful. I just couldn’t tolerate it when I was being manually lifted and repositioned in bed.”

“I had both of my strokes in 2023, the first being when I was in Barbados. I have been going there for the winter since 1998. I was flown back in an air ambulance to the Cleveland Hospital in London where I unfortunately had a second stroke.

Once I was stable, the Occupational Therapists got me walking again with a stick, however when I returned home, I had a fall when being helped off my domestic bed. I was left unsupported and fell onto my face resulting in an ambulance being called. It was a terrible and frightening experience. This has really knocked my confidence, and since then I have struggled to walk.“

“I can relax in bed now and there is nothing furthermore you could do to improve this Orbit.”

“When I was in the Cleveland Hospital, I had a tremendous hospital bed but knew that I needed something better that offered a complete solution when I returned home. Initially I was given an NHS community bed, but I could not get in and out of it without being handled by my carers.”

Doug tried two assistive beds from other suppliers which did not meet his needs. “On the face of it, they looked similar to the Orbit,” continues Doug. “However all they did was rotate. There was no rising foot section which is so important for me, and I would think most people, as I have a leaking heart. Having all my legs elevated and supported is essential to help circulation. Only the Orbit did this.”

Doug returned the other beds as they were not suitable. He decided to contact Theraposture having watched a YouTube video explaining why the Orbit was a better choice. He decided to book a home assessment in October 2024.

Theraposture were able to assess, deliver and install Doug’s new Orbit within a couple of weeks, so he was able to safely get in and out of his bed again. The technicians explained to him and his carers how to use the bed so that all manual handling was eliminated. Doug could simply walk with his frame to the Orbit to get to the 60-degree seated position. There was plenty of room for his walking frame.

Once seated and at the touch of one button, the bed would tilt him back and rotate into a sleeping position, with Doug in total control of the whole process. The Orbit would also position him in the middle of his mattress. The Orbit was the solution that would revolutionise bed transfers for both Doug and his carers.

Doug sums up by saying: “The Orbit is a marvellous, marvellous help to everybody, and I really enjoy having it. The best outcome for me is that I don’t worry about getting into bed anymore. For my carers, it is helping them manage my care with ease and safety. I particularly appreciate the full leg support offered by the rising foot section. This is so good for me as I have so many health conditions. I can relax in bed and there is nothing furthermore you could do to improve this bed – it is a wonderful design. I’d love everyone who needs an Orbit to get one.”