[Blind-rollers] outdoor adventure in my power chair

Wed Sep 19 05:14:25 UTC 2012

Hi Bibi,

As a blind chair user for most of my life (I'm in my early thirties)
who has used both power and manual chairs (I currently use a manual
because insurance won't buy a power one.) I've used every kind of lift
and ramp there is, in three countries (the U.S., the United Kingdom,
and the Republic of Ireland.) In my experience the lifts used on most
buses in this country are the best, the newer buses which have ramps
that flip out in front of you tend to be too steep to use with a cane
and move yourself up the ramp simultaneously. In the United Kingdom,
the ramp comes out from the undercarriage of the bus and is not nearly
as steep.

Deidre,

The way travel works in Brisbane sounds like travel in Ireland;
accessibility is made by way of portable aluminum ramps that have to
be reserved a day ahead. I have to say though, that considering that
their transport infrastructure is mostly from the 1950's everyone went
out of their way to help me.

Off topic, what kinds of canes are used in Australia? I use a long
white carbon-fiber , non-folding cane with a flat rubber/aluminum tip,
these are fairly common in North America.

Best,

Paul

On 9/18/12, Deidre Drysdale <Deidre.Drysdale at visionaustralia.org> wrote:
> Hi Bibi
>
> It is always inspiring to hear about your independence and trials with Odie
> and your new wheelchair --- and also  of your bus travels - I am glad to
> hear your husband Dale travels with you .
> I am an O&M S working in Brisbane Australia - only some of our buses have
> wheelchair lift access ----  however the Cities are in the process of having
> them accessibly upgraded so currently clients wanting to use public
> transport ( bus travel - trains have a portable ramp access ) - need to book
> with the Council responsible 1 day in advance
> I hope all goes well for you in applying for an O&M assessment/training--
> and sounds very worthwhile - Us O&M's are usually very safety conscious so
> cautious but creative
> All the best
>
> Deidre O&M S Australia
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Criminal Justice
> Major
> Sent: Wednesday, 19 September 2012 2:23 PM
> To: ;
> Subject: [Blind-rollers] outdoor adventure in my power chair
>
> Hi, all,
> This evening, I asked my husband Dale to come along with me to the library
> so I could return a couple of Adventure In Odyssey audio books.
> I wound up having a seizure yesterday as the fire alarm went off in our
> apartment complex for twenty minutes.
> I was actually in a deep sleep when it happened.
> I was also hurting today, so it was necessary for me to use my power chair
> so I could get to the library by bus.
> I'll admit that despite I'm getting good practice inside the building here,
> I definitely need to update my DVR (Denver Vocational Rehabilitation) file
> in the hopes my doctor can get me cleared for O&M.
> yes, it was tricking getting on and off the bus, especially the 5000 series
> where the bus has a ramp that slides out and it can also lower toward the
> ground.
> I still have to get used to sitting down and doing things differently than
> what I was used to while standing up.
> At one point, my husband suggested I speed up my chair some when I'd have to
> cross over alleys and streets.
> We came back on the route52 bus and I asked the driver if he wouldn't mind
> securing my chair to be on the safe side.
> I honestly told him I didn't feel like experiencing being thrown or sliding
> forward.
> When I was on the route9 bus on the way to the library, I decided to try and
> secure myself which definitely slowed things down.
> Therefore, I felt it was better off to ask the driver to do the securing
> when I was coming back.
> Once we disembarked the bus, my power chair and I along with my husband
> Dale, we started to head away from the bus stop.
> I suddenly had to stop and turn the power off on my chair as the fire truck
> began to pull out of the station on to Lawrence Street.
> I can admit I wasn't too happy with that sudden quick reaction as I didn't
> have too much time to react of where I could have turned my head away from
> red and blue lights that were going at the same  time the siren was starting
> up.
> My left eye sure didn't feel so great after feeling the red and blue
> glares.
> I jokenly told my husband Dale that I'd have to take Odie with me and go
> over to our firemen friends so I could tease and torture them which I always
> do anyway.
> They always know when I'm giving them a hard time.
> Since Dale was the one who gave me the suggestion of speeding up my chair to
> move faster across the street, he said it made him run, having to keep up
> with me.
> When we got to Larimer street, he repeated the same thing.
> I told him that he was at fault for suggesting I speed up my chair to move
> faster across the street and alleys when it came to trafic.
> Soon, next challenge with my power chair will be on the bus again, the RTD
> (Regional Transportation District) light rail commutor train and another
> bus.
> I do hope to come across the 2000 series buses when I do make my trip down
> to DVR in the beginning of October since those have an actual lift that I
> would have to back up on to.
> Will let everyone know how all of that goes.
> Bibi, husband Dale and son Odie
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