[Blind-rollers] sighted guide?

Wed Jul 22 00:01:24 UTC 2009

Getting used to the chair....period...will be a challenge.  Even those  
with sight, are afraid of the electric part of the chair.  At first, you  feel 
you are going to run right through a window or doorframe.  There are  
different speeds in the chair's control button and you should start it on  turtle. 
 There are some things my mobility specialist that taught me that I  will 
list below:
1.  Never leave the chair ON when getting out or into the chair.   Listen 
to the sound of the chair's beep telling you that its going off.   Practice 
turning on and off your chair in the beginning.  Keep your fingers  on the 
control and not to the side to avoid injury to fingers when going through  
doorframes.  The arm rests will act as bumpers for you.
Have someone scold you if you leave the chair on when getting up and down  
from chair.  This is a big safety issue because you could fall or  chair 
could start and lunge forward.   

2.  For the first day, just practice going short distances in one room  on 
slow turtle.  Clear your paths for good clearance.  Remove unneeded  
furniture.  Do not use it the first day entirely because you will get  frustrated 
and tired and that could cause injury while you are learning.  

3.  Have someone with you when you go through doorways etc to be  sure that 
your doorframes will actually 
handle the chair width. 

4.  Make sure your floors do not have any drops.  Transition  strips can be 
bought online or gotten at home improvement and  medical  supply stores. 
In a pinch, two mud rugs (heavy rubber or straw) can work to get you  over 
the threshhold of front door if just an inch drop.  

5.  Always use the guide cane when using the electric chair until  you are 
completely aware of your household surroundings and as long as there are  
not other people in the house moving things around.  Always use your  guide 
cane outside period. 

6.  Use the guide cane in a swinging manner in a semi-circle in front  of 
you with your left hand as your right hand operates the wc control.  I  have 
a 50 inch roller tip guide cane.  Listening is your best sense at  this 
point.  Do not take the tip off the ground.  Practice in a public  place with a 
guide to help you.  Hospitals, churches, schools do not   mind if you ask to 
use their facilities.  

7.  Listen, listen.  Do not use ipods or mp3 players etc when  traveling 
because you must keep a keen ear on your traveling.  You must  listen for 
people walking near you, away from you, across your path, bicycles  crossing, in 
hospitals- patient beds being wheeled around...so find someone to  go with 
you and talk you through this training.  I had mobility specialist  that was 
paid through the blind association.  
Lighthouse through Blind was the agency that has trained mobility  
specialists.  Going through intersections was quite a challenge but with  mobility 
specialists help, I did quite well.  

Parking lots....if you want more about this..write me. 
Building entries....if you want more about this...write me.
Transporting into a car:  if you want more, write me.
Public transportation and anchoring your wheelchair safely into the  
bus...write me if you want more info. 
Traveling by plane: write me if you want info.  

Use a reacher or cane to pull the doors closed is helpful.  Tying a  string 
on them can also help if doors close easily. 
Carry a poncho in case of rain.  Cover the arm that has the controls  with 
the poncho also.  

Any other questions, feel free to contact me directly.  deb

In a message dated 7/21/2009 5:25:55 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
mommaholly at gmail.com writes:

Does it  take you a while to g et used to it?  Or can you feel it like
you do  when you are walking sighted guide with someone?

Holly  Alonzo

www.hollyalonzo.com

Holly book cover thumbnailNever  Giving Up Hope

You can get a copy of my book online  at

http://stores.lulu.com/hollyalonzo

If you would rather Order  a book directly from me.  You may send an
email  to
booksales at hollyalonzo.com
and request a copy.  A payment method  can be arranged.  I will do
whatever is best for you.

I have a  print copy and an electronic copy.  The print copy is on solid
white  paper with 14 point font, easier for low vision people to read.   I
also have
accessible electronic copies for those using screen  readers.

Print copies are $13 and the electronic copy is $7.

All  profits from books sales will go toward funding for the Auditory
Brainstem  Implant.  Please support and buy a book if you  can.

-----Original Message-----
From:  blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org]  On Behalf Of Marty James
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:53 AM
To: Blind  wheelchair users list
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] sighted  guide?

I am in the process of attaining a guide dog but while I am  waiting my
wife 
is my sighted guide while I am in my power chair. She  just walks by my
side 
and I hold her hand and off we go. I pace my  speed and direction off the

feel of her hand, kind of like a harness  for the dog.
Marty

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Holly  Alonzo" <mommaholly at gmail.com>
To:  <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:41  AM
Subject: [Blind-rollers] sighted guide?

> Hi all.   Tired of my questions yet?  ;) lol.  Well, I am wondering  can

> you do sighted guide while in a wheelchair?  Obviously  the chair can 
> be guided, because there are guide dog schools with  dogs that do this,

> but how is it guided?  How does sighted  guide work, if at all.  
> Thanks.
>
>
> Holly  Alonzo
>
> www.hollyalonzo.com  <http://www.hollyalonzo.com/>
>
> Holly book cover thumbnail  
>  <http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz42/hollyalonzo/Hollybookcoverthu
>  mb
> nail.jpg> Never Giving Up Hope
>
> You can get a  copy of my book online at 
>  http://stores.lulu.com/hollyalonzo
>
> If you would rather order a  book directly from me, you may send an 
> email to  booksales at hollyalonzo.com and request a copy.  A payment 
> method  can be arranged.  I will do whatever is best for you.
>
> I  have a print copy and an electronic copy.  The print copy is on 
>  solid white paper with 14 point font, easier for low vision people to 
>  read.  I also have accessible electronic copies for those using  screen

> readers.
>
> Print copies are $13 and the  electronic copy is $7.
>
> All profits from books sales will go  toward funding for the Auditory 
> Brainstem Implant.  Please  support and buy a book if you  can.
>
>
>

------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

>  _______________________________________________
> Blind-rollers mailing  list
> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org 
>  http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org
> To  unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>  Blind-rollers:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org/blindamp%
40q.com
>  

_______________________________________________
Blind-rollers  mailing  list
Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org
To  unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info  for
Blind-rollers:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org/mommaholl
y%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
Blind-rollers  mailing  list
Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org
To  unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for  
Blind-rollers:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org/agapedew%40ao
l.com

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221823310x1201398722/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=
JulystepsfooterNO62)