Knock knock.
That was the sound that kicked off one of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades I’ve ever experienced. After months of video calls, emails, and every bit of research I could dig up, the team from HT Systems arrived at my door with something that would change my daily life: the Kera Travel Hoist.
If you’ve lived with a significant disability for a while, you know the drill: flashy ads promising the impossible. “With these gloves, you too can scale Everest!” Yeah, right. By the time you reach a certain level of disability, the “fun gadgets” and solutions often stop applying to you. So when I first saw the Kera Travel—promising to lift you from wheelchair to chair in minutes—I was skeptical. I was waiting for the person in the video to stand up and grab a beer. But no—they were using real, visibly disabled people. No AI polish. No unrealistic edits. Just honesty. And that was refreshing.
When Richard (the CEO) and Alex (the designer) brought the Kera into my home—not a sterile hospital setting—I already felt like this was going to be different. I’ve lived independently in my house since the 1990s. I have 24/7 care, yes, but it’s my space. Over the years, I’ve bought plenty of comfy chairs for caregivers and visitors. Me? I’d never sat in a Lazyboy. After 39 years in a wheelchair, it just never occurred to me I was missing out.
That changed in minutes.
Alex set up the Kera Travel quickly in my industrial-styled lounge (think cozy chaos). The sling slipped on smoothly—not like the usual trussing-up process that makes you feel like a Christmas turkey. And then I was up. It was that moment of adrenaline—new equipment lifting your entire body weight—and within seconds, I was lowered into a Lazyboy.
And it. was. glorious.
Comfort, support, no tipping forward, no awkward angles. Just bliss. It sounds dramatic, but it genuinely made me emotional. It wasn’t just about the chair—it was about the choice. The freedom to relax like everyone else. To be comfortable without relying on a bed or a team of two people to move me.
That night, I realised something. At 8 p.m., when the day winds down, I usually sit in my chair until bed. It’s familiar, it’s fine, but it’s not rest. With the Kera Travel, I now have the option to be moved, effortlessly, by one caregiver into a proper chair. And it’s changed everything.
Yes, my wheelchair was built for circulation and posture—but it wasn’t built for unwinding. For those of us with high needs, relaxation isn’t easy. You’re always managing balance, safety, and function. But with the Kera Travel and a good chair? I finally let go. It took a few weeks, but my body learned to relax again.
And caregivers? They love it too. Traditional hoist transfers are exhausting—for everyone. They're clinical, awkward, and often require two people. Miss the landing in a Lazyboy, and you risk “Quadslide” (yes, I’m trademarking that) or worse—needing the fire brigade. The Kera Travel makes it simple, smooth, and safe. No more mental gymnastics. No more second-guessing.
But here’s the surprise bonus: the Kera isn’t just about transfers—it’s also great for your body. During the lift, your spine gets a gentle stretch, and pressure is taken off your lower back. Anyone who’s sat all day knows how valuable that is. It’s like a mini-yoga session without the awkward poses.
There’s a social win, too. With the Kera, I can now get onto a two- or three-seater couch. I can sit with someone instead of near them. Watch a movie. Cuddle. Laugh. Be part of the room, not just in it. For couples, families, or even those dating again, that closeness matters. And if you’re single like me—well, let’s just say a wheelchair isn’t exactly designed for intimacy. A couch opens up options that just weren’t there before.
I’ve had a fantastic life in a wheelchair. But this? This is a new kind of joy. Comfort shouldn’t be a luxury. And for the first time in nearly four decades, I feel like I’ve found something that gives me true rest, dignity, and choice at home.
If no one tells you what’s possible, how will you know what to ask for?
Mark Williams is a Kera Travel user, Investor and National Sales Manager in HT Systems.
Want to see if a Kera sit2sit hoist is the right solution for you:
