[Blind-rollers] some good news to share

Thu Aug 16 22:23:58 UTC 2012

Your AMT will arrange several chairs brought to the consumer, or should do,
after the PT evaluation is completed. Permobil brought mine after I realized
I could not function with another Jazzy and when I tried a Permobil out the
difference was amazing. However, each person is different, and each chair
within each manufacturer is designed differently, so trying out many of them
is the wisest and best thing to do. If in doubt, go to the Permobil website,
enter USA and view/listen to the options. 
Please change my email address. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Alexander, Lucy, CFB [mailto:Lucy.Alexander at state.nm.us] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 4:38 PM
To: 'Blind wheelchair users list'
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] some good news to share

Deb,

Thanks so much for the information.  Those are excellent questions!  I am
actually the director of the New Mexico Orientation Center.  From time to
time we have students who use wheelchairs.  A student has been using a
INVACARE ATM; however, it is proving difficult to drive well.  Because we
live in the desert and desert scape is popular for homes and businesses,
gravel is often on the sidewalks.  Rolling over just a small piece of gravel
can change the direction of the chair; thus, it is not practical for daily
use outdoors.  Independent travel is the student's goal.  We would like to
help him choose a good wheelchair that will meet his needs.  The information
you have provided will help considerably.  Please send any other ideas to
consider or suggestions or opinions.  I am very glad to hear you are doing
well and enjoying your power chair.

Warmly,
Lucy 

-----Original Message-----
From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of AgapeDEW at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 2:08 PM
To: blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] some good news to share

Lucy, 

Wow, its exciting you got the funding for your chair.  Can I ask if
Medicare, Medicaid or OVR paid for it/other funding because right now many
people are having difficulty getting funding for electric wheelchairs.  I
am having problems getting a different type of wheelchair then the one I got
six years ago.  I had a jazzy chair but I have progressive spinal conditions
that I need more thoracic  and cervical support then previously. I was just
diagnosed with MS and lost my ability to walk during the first part of the
disease.  Having these new problems becoming so severe with spine changes
the type of chair I actually need.  I found out a great deal of the
information I am sharing below from an excellent mobility specialists TEAM
including a physical therapist, mobility specialist. and a Doctor of Rehab
Services of the area hospital.  Here are things I learned from them and my
life experiences with electric wheelchairs.  

There is a whole department at our hospital that does wheelchair
recommendations so just asking every one on the internet might just make you
have to get a different one earlier then expected. 

 Things to consider... 

Are you going to be in the chair the entire day and not able to pivot to
another chair to sit? If so, the seat should not be the hard surfaces but a
soft surface with good lumbar support and a tilt feature that allows you to
go  into a reclining feature  takes pressure off the tailbone and legs. I
personally cannot sit in a Jazzy type chair all day. 

Do you need to stand to teach class, public speaking or reaching high areas
for your job, etc?  Some chairs even go to the standing  position. 

The toggle that operates each electric wheelchair can be put on either the
left or the right arm to allow you to operate the chair.  Do you have any
conditions  such as carpel tunnel or poor muscle coordination etc  or stroke
that would prevent you from operating a toggle switch?  Do you  have any 
upper arm/shoulder issues that will affect your use of the chair?   I do, so

they adjusted my toggle joystick to work easier.  

 Do you need foot petals that will protect your feet from sliding off
(Jazzy's are well known for ankle injuries from people with neuropathy etc
not noticing their feet fell off between the foot petal and the front
spinning
wheel.)  

Do you require support while sitting in the chair as some chairs come with a
standard type seat belt where others come with complete support across your
body? 

 What are your housing accommodations?  Some chairs have a  sharper turn
radius then others and must have certain clearance to get in  bedrooms and
baths.  

Outside use:  No chair is made to be used out in grassy surfaces but  of
course the wheelchairs are our "legs" so we must continue to do what we did
before we became disabled like gardening and family picnics etc.  Jazzy
goes well on grass with traction tires.  

Definitely check out the chair to see when you lean forward, does the chair
tip forward?  That could throw you out of your chair.  Jazzy solved  that
problem by putting front wheels and tip protection underneath your foot
petal.  

Weight and height is also considered as some chairs have a weight capacity.

Many people get the "scooter" type chairs thinking they are "cool" and do
not take in consideration that it is extremely hard to get in and out of
those  scooters if you have back and knee problems.  Also, if any cervical
or thoracic problems, having your arms in extended position for long periods
getting around is extremely hard and painful on your body.  The swivel
chair also is not easily used to eat if you have chronic back pain as you
must literally glide yourself with the chair 45%.  Its perfect to get around
parks, streets, and going from point A and B.  Its not something you would
want if in a wheelchair the majority of the day.  

Will you be using public transit or have a need to use tie-downs to get
yourself to appointments and work, etc.  Wheelchairs actually can be made
specifically to have the tie down hook under the chair for public transport
or van accommodations.  

I probably will think of a whole lot more when I finish sending this email
but I am so happy to hear that you are getting your chair.  Remember to do a
fire drill using the chair at night to assure you can get out of your bed,
into the chair and out of your facility under three minutes.  

Please keep me posted on what you get and why you chose that model.   
Debbie Wells :-)

In a message dated 8/15/2012 3:15:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Lucy.Alexander at state.nm.us writes:

What  type of chair are you getting?  What types of chairs do people  
recommend?  And, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?   Thanks
for 
your help and congratulations!
-----Original  Message-----
From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Criminal Justice
Major
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 1:04 PM
To: ;
Subject:  [Blind-rollers] some good news to share

Hi, all,
Sub says it  all.
The approval went through for my power chair and I'll be getting it at  the
end of August and beginning of September.
I'm happy and excited.
On  the days when I hurt really bad or have just experienced a seizure upon
not  having any physical ability to move around, I can get into my power
chair and  just go, go, go.
Because I've not been able to get anywhere with Denver  Vocational
Rehabilitation here in Denver, Colorado, a physical therapist named  Cindy
Duff at Denver Health Medical is willing to come out and help out with
training if need be.
I've taken up her offer and do welcome it as it will  take me time to get
used to operating a power chair.
Thoguth I'd share the  good news with you'alls.
Bibi, husband Dale and the stubron son Odie
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