Adam

Adam is a 28 year-old co-owner of an internet marketing business and a self-confessed techie.  He has used a wheelchair since 1994, when he sustained a spinal cord injury in a diving accident.

Highly tech-savvy, Adam monitors the latest developments in wireless technologies. "I admit it, I'm a tech freak. I want the latest and greatest of everything". Adam also takes advantage of technology to ease coping with daily activities. He relies on his smartphone to monitor his medication schedule and remind him when necessary.  The potential privacy risks of storing medical information in a portable device don’t bother Adam:  “There is no more privacy anyway, and the benefits far outweigh the risks.”

Adam looks toward the day when medication management is centralized, so that he could get prescription refills and other supplies at the nearest drugstore wherever he is.  He has had some supplies confiscated from his carry-on luggage by airline security and spent considerable time locating replacements when he landed. 

Adam’s work requires him to carry the usual "road warrior" equipment - notebook computer, spare batteries, phone, chargers, and all the necessary connector and power cables. All of this goes in a backpack on his wheelchair, which can be a problem.  Once he transferred from his wheelchair to a commode in an airport bathroom, and his chair tipped over and trapped him.  He used his mobile phone to call his business partner to come to the bathroom to get him out - “I’m glad I didn’t have to ask a total stranger walking by to help me”.

Adam sees the advantage in reducing the number of devices he carries and would appreciate more ease in sharing data among all this equipment and his desktop computer in his office.  But he admits that he’s very particular:  "Finding the most usable phone, text messenger, PDA, GPS, and internet access in a single product is pretty difficult". 

These are the top features on Adam’s wish list:

·         Large, unbreakable display

·         Long battery life

·         Durability and toughness

·         High-capacity, secure, fail-safe data storage

·         Reliable internet access

·         Locator for help when needed