Hello friends! The last time I wrote for SAA was back in 2018, when I was test-driving a robotic exoskeleton called Keeogo. Fast forward to 2025, and I’m now cruising around in a Robooter X40 power wheelchair. A lot has changed in six years, and it feels like the perfect time to update the spondylitis community on the benefits of using a power wheelchair.
For those of you struggling with mobility issues, I hope this article helps you make a decision sooner than I did. Many of you will likely be surprised to learn that my daily step count actually went up when I started using my power wheelchair regularly. Let me tell you how I made that decision—and how the rewards keep on coming.
In the fall of 2024, I finally heard the words I’d wanted a medical professional to acknowledge for years: I was officially classified as having Difficult-to-Treat (D2T) Psoriatic Arthritis that also happens to be mostly medication-resistant. My spondyloarthritis came out of remission in 2021 and has been uncontrolled ever since. Between 2021 and December 2024, I went through nine biologics trying to find one that worked.
My arthritis is polyarticular and affects all of my major joints. In 2022, it got so bad I couldn’t bend my arms or legs. I experienced a brief respite from an IL-17 medication, but soon enough, SpA was knocking on my joints again. I’ve been on a twisting, turning medical journey ever since.
It’s strange to want to hear a doctor tell you that your arthritis is difficult to treat, but those words brought long-awaited confirmation. I had recognized myself as a D2T patient from several SAA Spondy Summits and ACR presentations, and I wondered why no doctors had acknowledged it sooner. It was cathartic to finally hear one say those actual words.
When we can name the beast, perhaps it’s easier to face it.
Fortunately, I had already started taking steps to make life easier. I applied for disability in December 2023 and was informed that my spine would need to be fully fused to qualify. It didn’t matter that my legs weren’t supporting me or carrying me far or that I’ve struggled with basic daily tasks and activities for many years.
When you can’t complete basic daily tasks because of physical limitations, that’s the definition of physical disability. We were surprised anyone would say otherwise.
SAA has a number of terrific resources on hand about how inflammatory arthritis can limit mobility. I was checking every box on their resource pages about physical disability.
My arthritis had brought my social life to a halt and limited my daily activities in ways most people don’t realize. You know those stories about people becoming reclusive because of arthritis? That was me—at 45.
Some days, putting on pants felt nearly impossible. Buckling a seatbelt? I couldn’t even look down far enough. Lifting a pot of water to the stove? Out of the question.
By the time I couldn’t carry groceries home without triggering major joint swelling, I knew I had to make a change—no matter what any “specialist” said.
I’m so glad I did. By 2023, my world had shrunk. I rarely left the house. Even picking up my mail felt like a major task. Every time I pushed through something “simple,” it came at a cost: drained energy and swollen joints within hours. Many of you know that cycle—it’s relentless, and all too familiar when living with inflammatory arthritis.
Obviously, my decision to get a power wheelchair was not made lightly. Six years ago, I wrote about the “horrible side effects” of being in a wheelchair, and I regret that wording now. I didn’t yet understand the freedom it could give me. That’s why I’ve decided to write this—for you.
After being denied the chance to apply for disability in Taiwan, I decided to go ahead and purchase a power wheelchair myself. I hosted an art fundraiser to raise the money, and in the meantime, began researching what options were available here. By April 2024, I had already learned a lot.
For one, I was shocked to find out that Taiwan is one of the top three exporters of power wheelchairs in the world. And yet, these devices are incredibly hard to access locally. Booking a test drive felt nearly impossible. It was only by chance—when my husband stopped by a local Social Services office in March 2024—that we found someone who could finally confirm what I suspected: getting information about power wheelchairs in Taiwan is incredibly difficult.
By then, I had reached out to every manufacturer I could find, but no one was returning my calls or emails. Eventually, a service center let me test drive one of their chairs, the Karma eFlexx. I already owned a Karma manual chair, so I knew it would be comfortable and supportive. The model was great—but by then I’d realized that getting a power wheelchair that looks like a wheelchair just wasn’t going to work for Taiwan’s uneven sidewalks and rough terrain.
BBR’s Robooter X40 started popping up in my research.
I wanted a power wheelchair that was portable, easy to unfold, and usable both inside and outside my home. It needed to be compact but tough enough to handle Taiwan’s uneven sidewalks and bumpy roads. The Robooter X40’s omnidirectional wheels were a major selling point—they let me “climb” over rough surfaces with ease.
This intelligent electric wheelchair comes with remote control features, so I can even call it to me. It handles 2.4-inch obstacles and gaps up to 4 inches wide. It climbs 10-degree ramps like a champ and has a zero-point turning radius, making tight spaces no problem. It even includes cruise control and a voice guidance system. The battery charges in two to three hours and lasts a long time.
Mobility Aids = Freedom
Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to focus on living fully—even if that means embracing mobility aids like canes and wheelchairs. These tools have completely transformed my life. They’ve reduced pain, given me independence, and allowed me to live safely without the fear of falling.
I wish I’d realized the benefits of a power wheelchair sooner. Now, in early 2025, I’m doing everyday tasks with ease. I no longer worry about how much pain an activity will cause later. If I don’t have to walk or carry groceries, I have the energy to cook and clean on my own two feet. And yes—I’m happily clocking my steps for Walk Your AS Off 2025!
After months of being mostly bedbound from pain, I’m now able to do things I haven’t done in years. Just last week, I went to Costco with my husband for the first time in six years. I picked out my own food without worrying about my legs feeling like I’m walking on broken glass.
AS has taken away my ability to stand tall or walk more than 20 minutes—but now I’m rolling with confidence. I’m getting my independence back. My very first ride in the Robooter X40 felt like coming home.
When I lost the use of my legs, I lost my freedom. But with one click of a button, I got it back.
As someone with difficult-to-treat arthritis who has used every kind of mobility aid, I hope my story encourages you to make changes that support your quality of life. I’m finally living pain-free again.
I’ve even had a few early “evenings out”—eating in restaurants and enjoying time with friends. I recently went to an art show, and while sitting for hours was a bit hard on my hips and back, it was nothing compared to the pain of standing or walking.
It truly feels like I’ve rejoined the world.
Rolling Into My Future
My next challenge is finding a medication that slows my inflammation long-term. But in the meantime, I’m soaking up every moment with my power wheelchair—and continuing to advocate for accessibility wherever I go.
Power wheelchairs don’t just provide mobility. They offer a profound sense of physical and emotional well-being. I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming gratitude I’d feel every time I rolled out of my home in my Robooter X40.
Many of us are moved to tears when we first try one. Robotic wheelchairs allow us to live with freedom, independence, and—above all—joy.
Carrie Kellenberger is a Canadian living in Taiwan who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2009. She received her Psoriatic Arthritis diagnosis in 2018. She is a long-term supporter of the SAA and has worked in patient advocacy for 17 years. As a small business owner, Carrie works as a consultant and content strategist for many businesses and associations. Visit her flagship site at “My Several Worlds” at myseveralworlds.com to learn about her life with chronic illness, disability, and her day-to-day adventures in Asia.
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