Comfort in Motion: Katie Haynes on Traveling with Kalogon’s Orbiter Cushion
- Kalogon Team
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Katie Haynes is always on the go.
She’s an adaptive hunter, a disability advocate, a volunteer with Dysautonomia International, and the founder of Smiling While Sending Hope, a nonprofit that supports people by curating care packages, organizing toy drives/fundraisers, and offering outings to provide a safe space for those with chronic illnesses and special needs. Based in Youngsville, North Carolina, Katie regularly travels for conferences, events, and community outreach.
Living with multiple chronic illnesses means Katie has learned to navigate the world with intention. Long days, busy schedules, and hours of sitting are all part of the routine. With this lifestyle staying comfortable and managing fatigue is a top priority.
She uses a manual wheelchair and has tested a variety of cushions to enhance her comfort ant manage her fatigue over the years – from foam to gel and cooling cushions. But when she brought Kalogon’s Orbiter cushion along for an advocacy trip to D.C., she noticed an immediate difference.
“I’ve tried foam, gel, and other cooling cushions before,” she told us. “But with Orbiter, I don’t have to constantly shift or adjust. The cushion does the work for me.”*
Kalogon’s Orbiter cushion continuously redistributes pressure and adapts in real-time as the user moves. That built-in responsiveness means Katie can focus on what she’s doing instead of how she’s sitting.
“It gives me peace of mind knowing it’s protecting my health,” she shared.
Katie emphasized that beyond comfort, it supports her independence. That includes travel by car and plane, hours at advocacy events, and even time in the field during adaptive hunting trips. It’s easy to bring along, fits into her routine, and doesn’t demand an outlet halfway through the day.
She also pointed out how well it handles weather extremes. In cold climates, she’s used other cushions that stiffen up or become unusable, and in summer, many make her sweat. This cushion handled both better.
Beyond travel, she’s also tested it during adaptive hunting trips and found that the cushion's redistribution mode and customizable support helped reduce fatigue.
“My butt doesn’t get tired as quickly,” she said with a laugh. “It gave me the support I needed without me even thinking about it.”
Katie’s next adventures include a trip to L.A. for a conference and some much-needed beach time. Whether she’s advocating for others or just enjoying the ride, her Orbiter’s going with her.
“Traveling with chronic illness often means being prepared for anything – and tools like this help me stay comfortable, confident, and more present,” Katie says.
Follow Katie’s journey:
🌐 Instagram: @smilingwhilesendinghope
*Kalogon recommends that you continue to perform your offloads as recommended by your clinician.
