[Blind-rollers] some good news to share

Fri Aug 17 00:39:45 UTC 2012

a thoughtful analysis.  I'm marking this for reference.
Happy rolling!
--le

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <AgapeDEW at aol.com>
To: <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 3:07 PM
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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