Jezza Williams admits he made a mistake. A river and canyon guide he was mentally tough, physically hardened, spirited and free. While travelling the world sharing his zest for wild places and wild adventures, complacency and overconfidence blindsided him. He was 35 years old.
“I slipped. It was more like a cat dive. Head first into rocks. Not a good outcome.”
You can say that again. A superman dive off slippery rocks ended with a bone shattering crack. Jezza’s neck shattered at C5 and C6, his lungs collapsed and he very nearly drowned in the waterfall. Surviving this was remarkable, waking up from a coma one month later miraculous.
It takes a strong mind to go through something on this scale and still come out on the other side confident and happy within oneself. It was a rough ride for the 11 months of rehab in a Swiss hospital and the two years that followed .
“I was incredibly independent and going from that sort of background to becoming a C5 tetraplegic, losing all your muscles, losing all the power to do what you want when you want to do, without having to wait for people was brutal.”
Ironically, Jezza’s risk taking experience had prepared him well for the mind game that quadriplegia is.
“I had to learn how to breathe, how to brush my own teeth, all these little things… It’s a big hurdle to get across, but as humans we adapt.”
Jezza doesn’t recall hitting rock bottom. Instead he was too busy looking up. He took little steps, knowing they’d lead to bigger achievements. And top of his list was was getting back into the outdoors.
But he was soon disappointed. He found there was a lack of infrastructure and support making it difficult for someone like him to get some outdoor adventure. This is when he started his non-profit organisation Makingtrax. The goal. Make adventure tourism inclusive for all.
“You have to get out there, you have to enjoy it, and you have to be able to ask for help.”
Jezza also discovered you need the right equipment, and some of it just wasn’t readily available. The answer? Build your own.
One of those adaptions was a fibreglass buggy so that wheelchair users can paraglide solo.
Jezza maintains you do need to take a few risks in life to get what you want out of it, and in his world the risks he takes are totally worth it.
For people who use wheelchairs, Jezza says rafting is the ultimate activity. Not only is everyone sitting down, but it is an amazing way to experience the wilderness and nature. To make rafting accessible Jezza and his team adapted sailing harnesses to fully supports the body and allow a paralysed person to sit up on the outside of the boat like anyone else. They also used dry suits which help people with spinal cord injuries better control their body temperature, and straps which allowed them to have their hands on the paddles and feel a part of the action.
“You’re a team, so getting transferred into the boat by a strong river guide and four of your paddling mates is part of the process. People enjoy helping other people. “
Another epic adventure is the Mongol Rally, an overland car rally from London to Mongolia. After getting a crew together and the necessary equipment they spent two months in two little sedans driving over 26,000 kilometres through some of the most remote places on earth.
“So we drove across Mongolia – and we missed the boat. So we had to drive all the way back through Russia, back to Europe.”
They were also robbed in Switzerland, lost a lot of their video production equipment and insurance papers for one of the cars.
“Every border crossing we came across we actually made some false papers… We made it across the Hungarian border because they let us across as foot traffic not as drivers, because our cars were illegal. The shit you can get away with because you’re in a wheelchair is awesome.”
The most fun part of it for Jezza was discovering places he never even knew existed. After travelling all across the world as a guide, he needed to see what was possible for a quadriplegic (tetraplegic).
“I discovered what the problems were and how to overcome them. I met people that had never ever seen a person like myself before because in those countries, I would not be alive.”
The whole trip was a massive risk – An infection, or being separated from his crew, could have been disastrous. But a safe return made him more confident in his own abilities. And it’s this sort of confidence that Jezza is passing on to others.
“Personally, I am pushing the limit, it’s right on the edge. But I’d rather push the limit, go out and live the life I live than stay at home and be like… Aww I can’t do this stuff.”
Jezza is now on a mission to resurrect the global outdoor scene and make it more inclusive. Under the Tracks Approved intiative, he endorses outdoor companies through education, adaptation and co-operation so they can take anybody and everybody on their activities.
“It’s just an unknowing of what the possibilities are within the industry. The biggest thing is they’re afraid, and they need somebody like me to come in and put them straight.”
And the work is paying off. You’ll now find an ever increasing number of outdoor tourism operators in New Zealand that are accessible for all – that is, anyone willing to give it a go and get a little wild. adaptdefy on Jezza, we’ll see you out there.
No thanks
If you choose to mount the Retractors from the lower horizontal frame tube you’ll receive two 90 Brackets (as seen below) – one for the left and one for the right side of your chair.
The Retractors slot onto these Brackets, which are then attached vertically to the Lower Horizontal Frame Tube using Clamps.
The Brackets have a tilt feature which allows you to adjust the angle of the Retractor so that it is parallel to the Keeper, for the smoothest operation.
The clamps are 16mm or ⅝” wide
The maximum distance from the centre of the Clamp to the centre of the Retractor webbing when mounted on the 90 Bracket is 70mm (3″).
Finally, it is worth noting that other attachments, such as brakes and side guard clamps can often be moved to accommodate the LapStacker® without compromising their function.
If this is the only option you’ve been given, it doesn’t look like it will work, or you’ve still got questions, then please contact us or your preferred reseller, and we’ll do our best to help.
If you choose to mount the Retractors from the front vertical frame tube you’ll receive two Flat Brackets (as seen below) – one for the left and one for the right side of your chair.
The Brackets have a single long slot and rotate feature, which provides plenty of adjustability so that you can align the Retractor webbing with the centre of the Keeper.
The clamps are 16mm or ⅝” wide.
The maximum distance from the centre of the Clamp to the centre of the Retractor webbing when mounted on the Flat Bracket is 105mm (4 1/8″).
If the front vertical frame tube is too far forward to allow the Retractor webbing to align with your optimal Keeper position, or you don’t think you’ll have clearance from your legs, you may need to consider other Retractor locations available for your make and model.
The Retractors themselves are 75mm wide by 50mm high or 3×2″
Finally, it is worth noting that other attachments, such as brakes and side guard clamps can often be moved to accommodate the LapStacker® without compromising their function.
If this is the only option you’ve been given and it doesn’t look like it will work, or you’ve still got questions, then please contact us, or your preferred reseller, and we’ll do our best to help.
If you choose to mount the Retractors from the cross frame rigidizer bar, you’ll receive two Cross Tube Brackets (as seen below) – one for the left and one for the right side of your chair. These are automatically selected with the Retractor location chosen.
The Retractors slot onto these Brackets, which are then attached to the cross frame rigidizer bar using clamps. The Retractors can be mounted above or below the Brackets depending on clearance.
In most cases the Retractor can attach to a Batec-style docking bar in the same way it mounts to the cross frame rigidizer bar.
In any case it is best you contact us, or your reseller, so we can help you determine if this is suitable and to confirm the correct clamp is ordered.
The Brackets have slots in them to allow plenty of adjustability so that you can align the Retractor webbing with the centre of the Keeper.
The maximum distance from the centre of the Clamp to the centre of the Retractor webbing when mounted on the Cross Tube Bracket is 90mm ( 3.5″).
Please note, there must be clearance from the back of your legs, so we suggest mounting the Bracket and Retractor back a little bit from the edge of your cushion.
The Brackets are best tilted slightly downward, so the Retractors don’t touch the seat when the chair is in use.
Finally, it is worth noting that other attachments, such as brakes and side guard clamps can often be moved to accommodate the LapStacker® without compromising their function.
If this is the only option you’ve been given, it doesn’t look like it will work, or you’ve still got questions, then please contact us, or your preferred reseller, and we’ll do our best to help.
If you choose to mount the Retractors from the frame top tube, you’ll receive two 90 Brackets (as seen below). One for the left and one for the right side of your chair.
The Retractors slot onto these Brackets, which are then attached to the top tube using clamps.
Depending on what clearance you have available, the Brackets can be mounted forward of the clamp (above) or behind the clamp (below) to ensure that the Retractor webbing can align with the optimal keeper position.
The Brackets have a tilt feature which allows you to adjust the angle of the Retractor so that it is parallel to the Keeper, for the smoothest operation.
The clamps are 16mm or ⅝” wide.
The maximum distance from the centre of the clamp to the centre of the Retractor webbing when mounted on the 90 Bracket is 70mm or 3″.
The Retractors themselves are 75mm wide by 50mm high or 3×2″
The Brackets are best mounted horizontally and tilted slightly downward, so the Retractors are tucked away and don’t touch the seat when the chair is in use.
It is very important to note that there must be clearance from the back of your legs, so we suggest mounting the Bracket and Retractor back a little bit from the edge of your cushion.
If this is the only option you’ve been given and it doesn’t look like it will work, or you’ve still got questions, then please contact us and we’ll do our best to assist.
The Side Guard Keeper is only recommended after the Long and Short Keepers have been exhausted as options.
The Side Guard Keeper is often used for wheelchairs with short frames or where the side guards are oversized or extend forward beyond the wheels.
The Side Guard Keeper mounts inside, or cushion side, of your side guards (otherwise known as the wheel guards or clothing guards). It is fixed in place using an adhesive patch.
It is not recommended for fabric side guards, although it can work there with some custom modification.
You MUST have a gap between the side guard and Frame Top Tube so that
the webbing from the Retractor can pass through to the Keeper.
The Side Guard Keeper could be an option when there is not enough space for a Long or Short Keeper and the side guard extends sufficiently forward of your body so that it comes close to the optimal Keeper position.
Some wheelchair makes such as the Hands on Concept range of chairs have oversized side guards and these are good examples of where a side guard can work.
You must have:
We recommend the Side Guard Keeper is located so it doesn’t sit higher than your cushion.
Remember, the Keeper must align with the Retractor webbing so please keep this in mind as you review the Retractor Location Guides.
If this is the only option you’ve been given and it doesn’t look like it will work, or you’ve still got questions, then please contact us, or your preferred reseller, and we’ll do our best to assist.
The Short Keeper attaches directly to the Frame Top Tube and is most commonly used for folding wheelchairs.
It may also be suitable for rigid wheelchairs that don’t have adequate space to Velcro a Long Keeper onto the seat base or webbing.
If you have a rigid chair, a Short Keeper can usually only be placed forward of the seat base which generally places the LapStacker® forward of the ideal position. Please bear this in mind.
The Short Keeper can be mounted to your wheelchair frame’s top tube in three ways.
If your wheelchair has a 1” or 25mm frame top tube, the Short Keeper will be supplied with a snap fitting that is simply pressed in place onto the tubing.
The Short Keeper is then fastened to the snap fitting and can be fine-tuned by sliding it forward and back, before tightening the bolt with the supplied allen key.
You’ll require 1” or 25mm of relatively flat clear space on the tubing for the snap fit mount and 55mm or 2 3/16” for the Short Keeper itself.
If your wheelchair has a frame top tube diameter that is any size other than 1” or 25mm then a universal mount will be supplied.
The universal mount attaches via two supplied cable ties and requires 1 ⅜” or 35mm of relatively flat space on the frame top tubing to be mounted effectively.
Again, the position of the Short Keeper can then be fine tuned by sliding it forward and back on the universal mount.
The Short Keeper can also be mounted directly to the tubing without the snap fit or universal mount using the supplied cable ties and rubber pad.
There are three common scenarios where the Short Keeper is used.
The first scenario is for folding wheelchairs (as below) that have a separate seat frame that moves up and down as it folds.
In this scenario the Short Keeper fixes to the frame top tube, not the seat frame, so that when the seat frame moves up and down the Short Keeper does not move.
If you have a folding wheelchair that doesn’t have a separate seat frame that moves up and down independently of the main frame, then the Long Keeper may be the better option for you.
When there is not enough space to Velcro a Long Keeper to the solid or upholstery seat base, a Short Keeper can be mounted forward of your seat base provided there is enough flat area of tubing to mount it.
Please refer to the three mounting options above to determine if you have enough space to mount the Short Keeper in this position.
It is important to note, that in all cases where the Short Keeper is mounted forward of the seat base, the Retractors should NOT be located horizontally off the frame top tube or cross frame rigidizer bar as they will be in the way of your legs.
In this case, the Retractors will need to be mounted from the lower horizontal frame tube or the front vertical frame tube if these options are available for your chair.
More about these locations is provided in the Retractor Location Guides.
If you use your frame top tube as a hand hold for transfers then you may want to consider how much space you will have available after mounting the Short Keeper, remembering that it is 55mm (2 3/16”) wide.
If there is insufficient space on top, you may consider mounting the Short Keeper directly under the top tube (as shown above) to give you more clearance.
The Short Keeper may be suitable for rigid wheelchairs that use a strap/belt system for their seat base, particularly when there are doubts about aligning the Long Keeper up with these straps, or the surface area available to fix the adhesive velcro.
Remember, the Keeper must align with the Retractor webbing so you may have to come back to the Keeper guides to double check your choice after you’ve reviewed the Retractor Location Guides.
Unless asked, you do not have to know the frame top tube diameter of your wheelchair as this is automatically selected for you based on your make and model.
If this is the only option you’ve been given, it doesn’t look like it will work, or you’ve still got questions, then please contact us or your preferred reseller, and we’ll do our best to help.
The Long Keeper is almost exclusively used for rigid wheelchairs and gives the greatest amount of adjustment. It is robust, and simple to install
Do you have this room available? Will the location of the Keeper be close to your optimal position? If so, then the Long Keeper could work for you.
The Long Keeper attaches to the rigid or upholstery seat base, using adhesive Velcro which is provided.
It is worth noting that an upholstery seat base or strap system often has velcro sewn into it already and this can be used in addition to the Velcro provided.
If you have a strap system for your seat base, then you will need to determine if there is a strap close enough to your optimal Keeper position to velcro or tape the Long Keeper to.
You may be able to move the straps so that they are inline with your preferred Keeper position and if a strap already has Velcro on it, you may be able to use this in addition to the velcro supplied.
If the strap can’t be moved or you’re not sure you can stick the Long Keeper to it, then selecting the Short Keeper (shown below), which attaches directly to the top frame tube of your wheelchair, may be a better option. You can learn more in the Short Keeper Guide.
If you have a folding wheelchair with a rising seat frame the Long Keeper won’t be suitable and a Short Keeper will be a better option.
The other factor that is important is making sure the webbing from the Retractor lines up with the optimal Keeper position.
If this is the only option you’ve been given, it doesn’t look like it will work, or you’ve still got questions, then please contact us or your preferred reseller, and we’ll do our best to help.
While in your wheelchair look down at your side and imagine using the LapStacker® to secure an item. Find the midpoint for this object and take a note of where this position is on your wheelchair frame’s top tube.
Ideally, the Keepers are positioned central to where you will carry items, but the LapStacker® will still work if forward or back of this point.
It is important to note that the Keeper needs to be in a position where the webbing from the Retractor can pass freely up into the Keeper and they also need to be aligned.
Each Keeper style has its own Guide which will help you determine its suitability. Please review these guides in the next step of the selection process.
If, for some reason, none of the Keeper options look like they will work for you, or you’re unsure of something, then please feel free to contact us, or your preferred reseller, and we’ll do our best to help.
Every LapStacker® Set has two Retractors (seen below) – one for each side of your wheelchair. These contain the tensioned strap and locking mechanism.
Depending on your wheelchair make and model, you’ll be given a number of options for where the Retractors can be mounted.
These locations include the frame top tube, the cross frame rigidizer bar, the front vertical frame tube, and lastly, the lower horizontal frame tube which is common on folding chairs and dual tube rigid wheelchairs.
The Retractors mount to the wheelchair frame using a specific Clamp and Bracket (there are many types, including the 90 Bracket and 1″ Clamp seen below).
These are both automatically selected once your preferred Retractor mounting location is chosen.
They are made from high quality and lightweight aluminium, with a stylish anodized finish.
The Buckles attach to the Retractor straps. They use high strength magnets to guide the two sides together, then lock mechanically as the straps tighten.
They are precision machined from aircraft grade aluminium for strength and anodized for a stylish finish.
The Buckles are held in place by your side using Keepers.
We’ve designed three styles of Keeper and you’ll be asked to choose one from the available options for your chair.
The Long Keeper velcros to the wheelchair seat upholstery, or rigid seat base.
The Short Keeper connects directly to the frame top tube.
The Side Guard Keeper mounts on the cushion side of a wheelchair’s side guards
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