[Blind-rollers] Power Wheelchairs and Blind People

Thu Oct 20 19:28:40 UTC 2016

Joshua, I have no idea how power chairs are charged. I assume they plug into
a station or have a power cord you plug in your wall. The batteries are very
heavy, so I should think impractical to take off the chair to plug in.

Becky  

-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-Rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Joshua Gregory via Blind-Rollers
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 12:13 PM
To: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Joshua Gregory <joshtgreg at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Power Wheelchairs and Blind People

Hi Becky, yes very true about the manual chairs and shoulders, I'm assuming
a power chair has a joystick and all that, at least the ones I've seen that
friends have do. And also very true about the exercise.
I have heard of some of the equipment you mention, almost all this stuff
sounds like something from a sci-fi movie fifty years ago LOL.

Also one more thing, and sorry for the multiple emails as I think of things
after the fact, for charging, do certain models have where you can plug in
the chair without removing the battery, or is that not a thing? Thanks for
all the help, really appreciate it!

On 10/20/16, Becky Frankeberger via Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> Joshua, Check with your disability foundation. I know mine has grants 
> for things like lifts for vehicles, since many of us  are in manual or 
> power chairs. So check to see if a grant can buy you a power chair or 
> scooter plus the lift for your van.
>
> Power chairs are generally several hundred pounds, plus your weight.
> Scooters can be lighter. Go to Sam's Club or Costco to take a look.
>
> Becky singing in the rain
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blind-Rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Joshua Gregory via Blind-Rollers
> Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 11:31 AM
> To: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Joshua Gregory <joshtgreg at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Power Wheelchairs and Blind People
>
> Hi Jen and all,
>
> Right, so I'd be stuck with a power chair. That's fine if it works 
> out, would suck if it didn't though.
>
> Do you, or anyone else, know how much they are and/or how much they 
> tend to weigh? Always heard they were heavy and cost a lot but am not 
> sure nowadays.
> I ask about the weight because it'd probably need to be lifted into a 
> van and am wondering how possible that would be. Thanks!
>
> Josh
>
> On 10/20/16, Jennifer Aberdeen via Blind-Rollers 
> <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> Hi Joshua,
>>
>> I think it all depends on the person, I did not have a positive 
>> experience with a power wheelchair
>>
>> Actually I did ok in-doors; it was outside that was dangerous for me.
>> No matter how slow I tried to go, I always ended up falling off the 
>> sidewalk. I
>>
>> had a cane too, but it didn't help when it came to outside. I 
>> generally don't have a problem with coordination in my hands, so I 
>> don't know what my
>>
>> problem was...I know of other blind people who don't have a problem.
>>
>> Anyway, good luck in whatever you decide to do. In case you don't 
>> know however, once you transition to a power wheelchair, your 
>> insurance won't let
>>
>> you get another manual chair later.
>>
>> Jen
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Joshua Gregory via Blind-Rollers
>> Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 1:49 PM
>> To: blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Joshua Gregory
>> Subject: [Blind-rollers] Power Wheelchairs and Blind People
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> My name is Joshua Gregory. I am blind and have Cerebral Palsy, so am 
>> in a wheelchair. I currently use a manual chair, however am probably 
>> going to need a new one soon, so I'm wondering about the efficiency 
>> of a power chair for a blind person? If any blind people here use 
>> one, what benefits do you see, what challenges do you encounter as 
>> compared to a manual setup? Is any special equipment needed to 
>> navigate, such as a cane?
>>
>> Thanks very much, I greatly appreciate it.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Joshua
>>
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