«BRO is a game changer that gives me back my freedom.»
Benjamin Bechtle is someone who helps others find their path – with expertise, empathy and a lot of dedication. As a participation advisor, he supports people with disabilities or chronic illnesses in accessing the right help and guidance. He understands better than most how essential the right assistive device can be and how much it means to move through everyday life truly independently.
The 37-year-old lives with spinal muscular atrophy – a progressive condition that severely limits his mobility. When he first saw the Scewo BRO on the TV show «Die Höhle der Löwen» (German version of Shark Tank), his first reaction was: «Cool thing!» In 2023, he came across BRO again at the REHAB trade fair: a sign, he felt, that the time was right. For a wheelchair that not only drives but thinks along. One that opens new paths, climbs stairs and enables encounters at eye level. Since then, BRO has become a fixed part of his life, giving him new energy, confidence and a unique sense of freedom.
Maximum freedom where it matters most
Benjamin experiences every day what mobility really means – starting right at home. «Every wheelchair user knows how hard it is to find an accessible apartment. And when the elevator has technical problems, I need an alternative. Thanks to BRO, I can leave my home without being trapped in my apartment and unable to even go shopping.»
That’s different now. Whether for important appointments or spontaneous errands – BRO reliably gets Benjamin from A to B. And in his professional life, that makes all the difference. As a participation advisor, he volunteers in various committees and advocates for accessibility. He still regularly encounters places that are not accessible. In the past, that meant limitation – today it doesn’t. «BRO helps me enormously in my daily life, especially at work. I used to rely on accessible apartments, now I can say: I’ll manage anyway», Benjamin shares.
A rare condition: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Benjamin has lived with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) since birth. SMA is a rare, genetically determined disease of the motor nervous system. It leads to the gradual loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord that are responsible for muscle control.
Symptoms vary depending on the type and course. Often, as in Benjamin’s case, the disease begins in childhood. Typical signs include decreasing muscle strength in the arms and legs, difficulty walking or standing, and, in later stages, involvement of the respiratory muscles.
In Germany, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 people live with SMA. Thanks to medical advances and supportive technologies like the Scewo BRO, the quality of life for those affected can now be significantly improved.
(Source: Deutsche Hirnstiftung)
Living independence and participation
Since Benjamin started using BRO, his perspective on barriers has completely changed. «How often do we encounter broken elevators? Now I can just say at the train station: Okay, time for stair mode and I’ll take the stairs», he says. This newly gained independence gives him the confidence to be spontaneously present anywhere without having to plan detours.
His interactions with others have also changed. Thanks to BRO’s seat lift, he can now always communicate at eye level. It also enables him to reach things independently at the supermarket. In everyday life, he regularly uses the tilt function to relax and catch his breath. «As long as I can, I want to stay independent and BRO really supports me in that», he sums up.
Fully part of life despite all obstacles
Benjamin radiates joy for life. Anyone who meets him immediately senses: this is someone who’s not standing on the sidelines – he’s shaping life. He is well connected, engaged, present and a person who doesn’t just advise others, but inspires them. BRO isn’t just his daily companion, but his door opener to the moments that matter: spontaneous encounters, meaningful conversations, shared laughter. He especially enjoys small moments like gaming nights with his nephew: «Thanks to BRO, I can even get to their gaming room upstairs. Then it’s like: Uncle Benjamin, shall we go play? And off we go.»
He draws motivation from the many goals he’s set for himself – and reached: completing school, earning a degree, building a fulfilling career, moving into his own accessible home. «These achievements show me it’s worth fighting and continuing on.» He also has clear dreams, like one day seeing the Rockefeller Center in New York. With BRO by his side, one thing is certain: even seemingly unreachable places are getting closer. His motto: «Defying the statistics!»
Funding through the german integration assistance
As a participation advisor, Benjamin knows the ins and outs of assistive technology funding and understands how complex the process can be. After carefully weighing his options, he decided to apply through the german integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe) – successfully. Together with Scewo partner ROLLIGARAGE and Scewo, he completed a trial and prepared all the necessary paperwork.
Just a few days before Christmas, the call came with the approval – a moment Benjamin won’t forget anytime soon. He encourages others not to be discouraged either: «I can only say to anyone who wants a BRO: apply! And if you’re unsure which funding body is responsible or how to argue your case, just get in touch with Scewo in advance.»
