At the Planche-des-Belles-Filles ski resort, Lugicap snow is available for people with reduced mobility. It allows wheelchair users to enjoy the thrills of Sled without even having to change seats.
Frédéric Martin inaugurated the new Sled wheelchair lift at the Planche-des-Belles-Filles station on Tuesday February 14. A quadriplegic since he was a teenager, he created the Lugicap himself: Sled adapts to any wheelchair without the need for a transfer. A great advantage for people with a high level of disability who have their own wheelchair.
Suitable for all wheelchairs
"Often, if we put them in unsuitable seats, they're very uncomfortable. They don't last long. With Lugicap snow, their pleasure and comfort are increased", assures Frédéric Martin.
The system, linked by two skis, can be adjusted to suit the width of any wheelchair. A safety strap holds the wheelchair in place. "It's better to have two people to handle the Sled, especially if there's a big difference in altitude," explains Franck Emeyriat, Frédéric Martin's partner.
Vidée began in 2004 when Frédéric Martin, from Buthiers in Haute-Saône, went skiing in his wheelchair. "The slopes were not adapted. It was difficult and even dangerous to access them. We had to carry the wheelchair several hundred meters," he says.
At ease with design, Frédéric Martin came up with a device to enable people with disabilities to lug.
"The hardest part was standardizing the Lugicap to fit all wheelchairs. Initially, I made one for myself, to the dimensions of my wheelchair. Then I improved it so that any wheelchair could be attached to it," he explains. Presented at the Lépine competition in 2006, the Lugicap won first prize.
Frédéric Martin set up his own company in 2009 and commercialized his invention. At the same time, he developed the same product for ice cream: Lugicap ice. "A product that is selling well, especially in Canada," he says with satisfaction.
Suitable for walking
"It's great! Especially for family outings," enthuses Katia Pouret, vice-champion in disabled swimming, who has come to try out the Lugicap snow. An activity she hopes to repeat very soon. "Compared with handiskiing, which I tried out last year, the Lugicap is quieter, optimized for walking. You can enjoy the landscape. I compare it to snowshoeing or cross-country skiing," she adds.
Lugicap is still evolving. Another project is in the pipeline. "We're developing an autonomous product for moving around on the ice. For the moment, it's still at the prototype stage", assures Frédéric Martin.
Lucas BRUNNER
Source: L'Est Républicain (16/02/2023)