Last night, something incredible happened.
I was interviewed for television about my Christmas and Matariki light displays, and I was honoured to receive a national Good Sort award along with a $10,000 prize.
It was a very special moment, and in the coming days the television story will be shared with viewers around New Zealand.
The cameras captured the lights, the displays and the community that has grown around them. What they didn't capture was something just as important.
Every day starts with a transfer.
Before I can work on new projects, meet people, travel, or spend hours creating displays that bring joy to others, I first need to get out of bed and into my wheelchair.
That is where my Kera sit2sit hoist comes in.
For most people, getting out of bed is something they never have to think about. For me, it is the first step that makes everything else possible.
The Kera gives me the freedom to start each day safely, comfortably and with dignity. It also gives me the confidence to travel, visit customers, source products, attend exhibitions, and continue developing ideas that improve people's lives.
Whether I'm working on HT Systems, developing Bazaa Wheels, installing Christmas lights or travelling around New Zealand, they all begin with that same first transfer.
People often see the finished project, the television interview or the award, but they don't always see the technology quietly working behind the scenes that makes those moments possible.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy working with HT Systems.
I know first-hand that assistive technology isn't simply about moving from one place to another. It is about independence. It is about opportunity. It is about having the freedom to say "yes" to life.
The Kera also helps make transfers safer and easier for my caregivers by reducing the physical effort required while providing a secure, comfortable transfer for me.
As HT Systems continues to develop innovative transfer solutions, our goal is simple: to help more people regain their independence, reduce the strain on caregivers and make everyday life a little easier.
The television cameras may have focused on thousands of lights.
But for me, the real story starts much earlier each morning.
Because before I can light up my community, I first need the freedom to begin my day.
See Mark's ASB Gold for Gold video here
Mark Williams is a Kera Travel user, Investor and National Sales Manager at HT Systems.
Want to see if a Kera sit2sit hoist is the right solution for you:
Find out about Kera sit2sit hoists
About HT Systems
At HT Systems, we believe that a transfer is about far more than moving from one chair to another. It is about giving people the freedom to participate in life.
Our Kera range of sit-to-sit hoists is designed to help people transfer safely, comfortably and with dignity while reducing physical strain on caregivers. Whether it's getting ready for work, travelling, visiting family or pursuing a passion, we're committed to helping people live life with greater independence—one transfer at a time.
