Jay's Story
In 1989, as a college student in St. Cloud,
Minnesota, Jay Johnson was in a single car accident,
which left him a quadriplegic. Jay realized very quickly that he
would never walk again, but came to the conclusion that the fact
he could not walk, did not mean he could not stand and move around.
This conclusion influenced Jay to purchase a standing power wheelchair.
Much to his disappointment, the standing wheelchair was unattractive,
lacked functionality, and was dangerously unstable. After falling
over in the standing wheelchair, Jay decided he could do better.
Jay believed that large wheelchair manufacturers
were overlooking the importance of standing mobility. In addition
to numerous physical benefits,
standing can improve the psychological well being of wheelchair
users. Actually being mobile in the standing position provides greater
access to activities of daily living.
Evolution of VERTRAN
In 1992, Jay founded FENA Design Inc.
to develop a standing power mobility device that would be far superior
in quality, function and style to anything on the market. Jay enlisted
the help of St. Cloud State University, which provided FENA with
engineering software, office space, and access to the faculty. Meanwhile,
Jay continued working on degrees in Finance and Economics at the
University and driving down to Minneapolis to continue vigorous
rehab therapy several times a week.
From 1992 to 2000, FENA worked on designing and developing prototypes
of a standing power mobility unit.
The result of these efforts has been the successful development
of VERTRAN (VERtical TRANsportion), a standing power mobility device
with unparalleled style, functionality, and stability. Unlike other
standing wheelchairs, VERTRAN was designed with standing as its
primary function.
After nine years of development, FENA
secured its patent on VERTRAN’s central lift mechanism
in May of 2001. In October of the same year, VERTRAN received 510(k)
clearance from the FDA.
FENA began production of VERTRAN in the
summer of 2002 and the first production unit was sold in the latter
half of 2002. In the first quarter of 2003, FENA officially kicked
off its sales and marketing campaign, which will greatly increase
visibility within the industry and amongst users.
FENA will continue to challenge the complacent nature of the mobility
industry with new innovations. Meanwhile, we are confident VERTRAN
will redefine peoples’ lives, as it already has for many,
through improved physical and emotional health, better access to
daily activities, and more employment opportunities.
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