11-Dec-20259 years and over 9 million steps with the same Innowalk
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We have previously highlighted Henrik’s journey as an athlete and entertainer. Since then, he has continued to impress. Nearly nine years with the Innowalk and more than 9 million steps have made a clear difference to both his body and wellbeing. Today, he works as a youth recreation leader and is politically active, advocating for improved rights for people with disabilities.
In this article you can read about:
- Who Henrik is today
- The path towards independence and community engagement
- International success in Frame Running
- Nine years with the same Innowalk
- How the Innowalk has made a difference to Henrik and his body
- A sense of security in everyday life
- A message to other young people with disabilities
Who Henrik is today
When we first wrote about Henrik, he was a young man with big dreams — a comedian and musician with remarkable drive and a clear desire to make a difference. He had already achieved success in Race running, where the Innowalk played an important role in his training and recovery thanks to the circulation, movement and joint mobility the device supported.
Today, Henrik is 25 years old and still the determined and humorous person we remember, but much has changed since then. He has completed his education, moved into his own home, become politically active, competed internationally, and continued to fight for equality. Meanwhile, he has taken over 9.36 million steps in his Innowalk.
The path towards independence and community engagement
After finishing secondary school, Henrik trained as a youth recreation leader. He now works at a youth centre where both young people and adults with intellectual disabilities meet. He describes this as one of the best decisions he has ever made. It isn’t the activities themselves that are most important, but the encounters, relationships and the sense of being a trusted adult who makes a difference. Playing table tennis, socialising, chatting, or simply sharing a space creates a sense of belonging that Henrik values highly.
At the same time, he has taken several steps into politics and recently ran in the church elections. He has also been nominated for the municipal council. His commitment doesn’t end there — he is also active in sport and sits on the board of Parasport in a region in Sweden.
Amid all this, Henrik has moved into his own home. Being able to support himself and live independently has long been one of his goals, and today he is well on his way to shaping the everyday life he wants.
International success in Frame Running
Henrik is not only socially engaged and politically active, he is also an athlete with achievements that few can match. Over the years, he has competed internationally in Frame Running and won medals in both Portugal and Copenhagen. At the unofficial World Championships in Portugal, he took home a gold, a silver and a bronze. In Copenhagen, he won three bronze medals, and during his career he has also set two world records.
Frame Running has now become an official Paralympic event at 100 metres in class T71. Henrik competes in the 100 metres T72 and hopes that this class will soon be included as well, giving him the chance to fulfil his big dream — to one day compete in the Paralympics. He is also passionate about promoting the sport and dreams of lecturing and helping Frame Running gain greater visibility and opportunity.
Nine years with the same Innowalk
Henrik received his Innowalk in 2017 after trying the device in Germany following surgery. Since then, it has been in his home and become as natural a part of daily life as meals, sleep and work. Even today, nine years on, he is still using the same machine — nothing has broken or caused problems during this time.
He uses the Innowalk for around an hour a day, five days a week. During each session he takes about 4,000 steps, which means that over these nine years, he has taken more than 9.36 million steps in total. As his Frame Running training has decreased, the Innowalk has become even more important, and for long periods it has been the only way for Henrik to be physically active for at least an hour a day.
Read more: All you need to know about the latest Innowalk version 2.0!
How the Innowalk has made a difference to Henrik and his body
Henrik was born with cerebral palsy (CP) and has spasticity in both his arms and legs. The increased muscle tone affects his mobility, joints and pain levels. Growing up, he used a standing device, which he remembers as painful and limiting.
When he tried the Innowalk for the first time as an adult, the experience was completely different. It felt unfamiliar at first, but also exciting. After just one session he noticed how his muscles relaxed and how his feet became warmer — something he had never experienced before when standing.
After nearly nine years of daily use, the effects have become clear:
- Significantly improved bowel function
- Better circulation, especially in the feet
- Reduced spasticity directly after sessions
- Increased mobility, particularly in the knees
- More energy and improved mental wellbeing
- A strong sense that his body is “waking up”
Henrik is convinced that without regular standing and walking in the Innowalk, his mobility would have been much worse and his digestive issues more severe.
A sense of security in everyday life
When Henrik talks about the future, it becomes clear how important the Innowalk has become in his life. He doesn’t see it merely as a training device, but as a long-term investment in his own health. The older he becomes, the more aware he is of how sedentary behaviour and spasticity can affect the body — and he wants to prevent this as much as possible.
“The Innowalk will be just as important for me moving forward, if not more important.”
Daily activity in an upright position gives him loading, stretching and movement he cannot achieve in any other way.
It also provides psychological reassurance, knowing he has a routine that works, feels good and always makes a difference. Exactly what he needs to continue living an active and independent life for as long as possible.
A message to other young people with disabilities
Henrik wants to share a few words with other young people facing challenges. He knows how easy it is to lose hope, especially when daily life feels tough or limitations seem unfair.
You’re not alone. There are many of us working for a better future for people with disabilities.
He is proud of his drive, his social skills and his commitment to equality and human rights. Above all, he is proud that he stands up for what he believes in and for everyone’s right to live their own life on their own terms. And he still has much more to contribute.
We would like to express our warm thanks to Henrik for sharing his experiences with us. His engagement and determination are inspiring — as are the impressive 9 million steps in the Innowalk. Henrik’s story reminds us how important it is to continue working towards a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to live an active and meaningful life.
Also read our previous article featuring: Henrik: [Video] Meet Henrik — a multi-talented athlete and entertainer.
