[Blind-rollers] I'm new

Sun Jul 19 15:05:03 UTC 2015

Lauren, I just took the foot peddles off and rested my feet when still on
the floor. Remember to pick them up when people are pushing you. 
To propel yourself my left arm was pushing the chair forward and my right
foot was heeping the chair straight. It was a kind of sideways, to
compensate for the natural movement of the chair to go right, and forward to
make that right side catch up with the left. Once you get the hang of it it
is effortless unless you are on carpet and then you have to work harder
pushing with the arm and foot together.   So the right foot is pushing
counter balance left and back then hopping forward for the next roll of the
left arm. It is easier then I am writing. Practice with your office chair..
it isn't the same but you will feel how you propel forward. You just won't
get the kind of plant and push counter balance like you will in the chair. 

My chair weighs forty pounds and folds up fairly easily. A little oil helped
make it fold easier. I could put it behind my seat in the car, which is
easier to get out, or like you said in the trunk. If you have a car it will
fit in the back seat, just bring a sheet to lay down first then the person's
car won't get dirty from the wheels. 

And please folks remember to wash the chair. They do get dirty and smelly
from grime on the streets, vans, accidents. 

Becky and Jake 
-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Lauren Merryfield via Blind-rollers
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2015 11:19 PM
To: 'Blind wheelchair users list'
Cc: Lauren Merryfield
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] I'm new

Hi, again,
How do you propel yourself now? Do you use a cane? My feet are not very
strong, which is part of why I need to ride some of the time. My sister, who
is also blind, tried pushing me but she needed direction from someone who
was in front of me, so it took 3 of us to get me around that way. One high
partial member of my affiliate helped me before and after the banquet. 

I realize I have two feet, which could be helpful,  but it seems like I
could make myself go backwards easier than forwards. I can steer myself
better when the foot rests are off, too. To bad there isn't a way to stowe
them on the wheelchair. I suppose one could hang them on the back??? 

There was a lady at convention who had a chair that had a slot in the back
where she could put papers or something. That was neat.

How do you get your chair into cars/cabs/vans? 
Thanks,
 Lauren
Blessings in Jesus' name
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus."
My digital evangelism blog is at:
W w w . ask in Jesus name . o r g
My book, in audio format, is at:
W w w . audible . c o m
Cats Are Terrifically Superb:
W w w . catlInes . c o m
(take the spaces out to go to the above links)

-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Becky Frankeberger via Blind-rollers
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2015 8:37 AM
To: 'Blind wheelchair users list'
Cc: Becky Frankeberger
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] I'm new

Lauren, nope, no one here you know, giggle. How are you lovely lady, warm
smile.

Here's my story. I smashed my foot in 2009. The doctor, and this is still
hard to write, wasn't sure if I could keep my foot. So I learned from these
wonderful folks how to survive and even thrive sitting in my "joy wheels." I
was in a manual as well. They lowered my chair so my good foot could propel
me. That is how you, or I, was able to shop independently using a long white
cane. Now I couldn't propel far as guiding the chair with one hand and one
foot was exhausting, so I had to plan and break up my trips. On the streets
I had someone push me as cement is harder than tile floors. Rug floors tire
me a great deal.   

I just want to be an encouragement to others. 

Love you, huggles,

Becky and Jake 
-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Lauren Merryfield via Blind-rollers
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2015 8:00 AM
To: blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
Cc: Lauren Merryfield
Subject: [Blind-rollers] I'm new

Hi,

My name is Lauren Merryfield. I am a long-time Federationist and the
secretary of the Davis Canes and Tails chapter in the Bay area in
California. 

I happened onto this list this morning and I am new. I have had difficulty
walking and even more difficulty standing for years. My feet are problematic
and, as a dr. put it, my tibias don't have a floor to stand on. And now my
legs and feet are swollen due to the effects of congestive heart failure.

I have had difficulty with some people who are only blind, or those with
much stamina, who do not understand why sometimes I have to back out on some
activities. Right now, I never know how far I can walk or if I'll get stuck
somewhere standing, so this year I used a wheelchair for the first time at
national convention. It was interesting because I am not very strong to
wheel it myself and I could not use both hands on the wheels and hold my
cane out and use it. A couple times, a blind person pushed me with someone
ahead of us giving directions. This was somewhat workable. However, most of
the time, I had hotel staff or UPS volunteers wheel me around. The problem
with that was availability or lack thereof and sometimes being late for
somewhere unless I purposefully went early, which is what I usually did. 

I am interested in how others function this way. My chair is manual. So far,
I haven't used it anywhere except national convention, but one never knows
when I might need it again. It is hard to get in someone's car and most of
the time, they don't have the room or the energy to put it in.

For years I've wondered if there might become a division in the NFB for
those who are multidisabled blind. But PURRhaps this list is it. (I spelled
PURRhaps that way on PURRpose because I am a cat PURRson.  Cats always know
when I am not doing well. They are very intuitive.

Sorry to ramble.

Thanks

Lauren, who was really surprised to find this group. I wonder if there's
anyone here that I would know. 

Blessings in Jesus' name

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

My digital evangelism blog is at:

W w w . ask in Jesus name . o r g

My book, in audio format, is at:

W w w . audible . c o m 

Cats Are Terrifically Superb:

W w w . catlInes . c o m

(take the spaces out to go to the above links)

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