Here is the winning blog competition entry - a story of friendship and of triumph over adversity.

Many thanks to Peter S, who wrote the blog. Peter has decided to receive a voucher to contribute towards the cost of a Nomad MRK1, for his friend.

'My friend is more than a wheelchair'

I have a close friend who is wheelchair bound. We had been friends for over 5 years before his accident, so I had always known him as able bodied and never gave that element of ur friendship a second though.

It is now nearly seven years since my friend had a serious car accident in which broke his back (among other injuries). He had sustained a T6 injury to his spine which meant he was paralysed from the lower chest down but had to wait for his leg and arm to heal before he could be transferred down to a specialist spinal unit, were he could be given treatment and rehabilitation.
 
He spent 5 months in hospital, were he had to gain the strength back in the arm he broke so that he could use a wheelchair, which he was told he would need for the rest of his life. During all that time he had managed to remain positive and whilst in hospital, he saw many other people with spinal injuries much worse than his. Their ability to be mobile and to lead a normal life inspired him (and us) no end.

I was initially very worried when he had his accident and we found out he would be paralysed, as I had no experience with wheelchairs or wheelchair users. I didn't know what to say when we fist visited, where to look, or anything. I soon learned that this was my problem though, and after spending time in the ward with many wheelchair users, I realised that these were people, not wheelchair users.

In the seven years since his accident my friend has started doing loads of activities, and he leads a life most 'able bodied' people would find tiring! He didn't give a second thought to any obstacles that got in the way (pressure sores, spasms, stairs!!!) and he travels a lot. He also says that though he lost the use of his lower body his mind and imagination was opened up more than it was before his accident and is enjoying his life and the challenges it brings him. I am so proud to be his friend and he inspires me every day.

When we go out now, in bars, shops, or anywhere, you can spot the people who aren't used to dealing with wheelchairs - the uncomfortable look, or a concious effort not to be uncomfortable, are always a dead giveaway! I should know, that was me seven years ago! We don't get angry, we just smile and get on with things. It's their problem and if anything, we pity them.

All I know is that my friend is my friend, wheelchair or not. He's the strongest man I know and I just want to say that I'm glad that we met all those years ago. He's taught me so much much. Thanks.

 
Peter S.
(Liverpool)

Nomad will be hoding another guest blog competition in the new year.

Thanks

The Nomad Team.

Nomad have just won the First Time Design Project Award at the European design awards, the DME Awards, in Endhoven, Holland.

The DME Awards recognise and reward companies for excellent management of the complete design process, from product design to branding, marketing and literature. It covers how a company pulls all these elements together in order to lead a market through design and includes planning, communication, delivery and results.

Jon Owen, nomad Director, said "Even to be judged against such strong mainstream lifestyle products and brands is a huge compliment to nomad - it is exactly the goal we had when we started - to move wheelchairs towards a more aspirational lifestyle sector. To win it was just mind-blowing!"

"We have a very strong design industry in Wales, and nomad was lucky enough to work with some of the best that Wales has to offer - The stunning Mrk1 frame comes fom Studio SDA, while Angela Gidden MBE heads up Attic 2, who developed our brilliant upholstery. Elfen have been responsible for the branding and marketing materials. Nomad brought these three design houses together to create a produt and brand that is changing the way people think of wheelchairs and mobility companies". 

The award (pictured above left) recognises the fact that this was a truly multi-team, multi-disciplinary project and, mor e importantly, that is was a great success.

The winning poster (pictured below right), plots our journey through the design process and was produced by nomad and Elfen. 

nomad Directors would like to thank Elfen, Studio SDA and Attic2 for their help throughout, as well as Darragh Murphy (DME Award's UK representative) and all at Design Wales - Alan, Lucy, Simon, etc. Nomad Director Mark says: "We always had a clear vison, but these talented, committed people have helped us to make a vision come true, and we are very grateful".

This award comes 6 months after nomad launched - our first six months have seen us exhibit in UK and Germany, we have sold many wheelchairs to many happy customers and we are now looking to get representation overseas. Our chair and marketing are setting new standards in the industry and we are even picking up awards - not bad for half a year's work!

Nomad's mrk1 featured at the launch of the Cardiff Design Festival, where we were asked to present the chair itself...

The public and design fraternity drooled over the mr1 in equal measure, and the event was a great success. Thanks to all involved. The poster looked great:

The results for our product design shortlist are announced on Monday night, so we we are all keeping our fingers crossed!

We have been shortlisted for our third design award today - this time it is the prestigious European design management award, the DME.

Celebrating excellence in design management in all fields, and accross the whole of Europe, it is a particularly important recognition for nomad.

'Wheelchairs are now being considered as design items, not simply medical ones', says Mark Owen, 'and our branding is being seen as aspirational, which is unheard of in mobility circles. We really are very proud'.

The awards judge several criteria, ranging from product design, to branding. They assess how companies lead their respective fields by applying excellent, innovative deign.

Three design shortlists in our first six months...we must be doing something right!

The second design award shortlist in 2 days came though today - nomad wheelchairs have had their mrk1 wheelchair shortlisted for the Product Design category at the Cardiff Design Festival.

nomad Director Jon Owen said: "award season is coming around quickly and we are very excited about the opportunities for nomad. It's a huge compliment to us that our branding and product are being judged alongside mainstream lifestyle brands and products...that's where we want to be".

Mark Owen added: "We were always very happy with nomad and the mrk1, but it's nice to see our hard work recognised in such positive ways."

This is the first time a wheelchair has been shortlisted for a product design award at Cardiff Design Festival, and is testament to the quality of nomad's products and the high calibre of their design teams.