When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?

Yesterday, I had the chance to do something I had never done before — spend a day "on the wheels" testing one of our products, the world's lightest Panthera manual wheelchair. From the moment I learned about this opportunity, I knew it would be a major step outside my comfort zone. What I didn’t know was how deeply it would change my perspective.

In some ways, the experience was easier than I expected. Navigating the wheelchair?felt surprisingly intuitive. I found it incredibly smooth to move forward, backward, and even turn 360 degrees. The design truly makes mobility a breeze, and I felt a sense of control that I hadn't anticipated.

But the real challenge lay in the mental and emotional aspects. Suddenly relying on others for help, feeling uncertain about how to do even the simplest things — it was disorienting. I feared failing or doing something wrong. Relying on my ability to figure things out as I went along?felt like a mountain to climb. Yet, as I navigated through this unfamiliar territory (with some help offered by more experienced colleagues), I began to understand just how crucial teamwork, communication, and self-trust are in overcoming these barriers.

What began as a product test soon turned into one of the best team-building activities I’ve ever experienced. By the end of the day, my colleagues and I had become so comfortable in our wheelchairs that we even played a ball game together. That’s when something magical happened — we were announced it was time for a coffee break, but no one cared (remember these childhood moments when your game was interrupted?)! All we wanted was to keep playing, to continue the fun and connection we had built.?

I would encourage everyone?joining Permobil to try this experience. It not only strengthens our connection to the product but also brings us closer as a team.

A huge THANK YOU?to Team Panthera, the organizers Ronny Persson and Per Vesterlund , and my wonderful colleagues at Permobil Emelie Lundstr?m , Petra Kolcunova , Karin Lagerbielke for making this such an unforgettable and inspiring experience!