[Blind-rollers] Blind-Rollers Digest, Vol 96, Issue 5

Tue Oct 25 13:06:27 UTC 2016

Hi I went from a walker to manual chair to power then lost sight completely eight years ago . I use a white cane most of the time I also use a ultra cane some of the time which is good as I get the cane on the ground while the sensors tell me what a cane won't overhangs ect . I would not go straight sensors as drop offs are even more dangerous in a chair and a power one with all that weight behind you is not what I want to end up under . I would use the ultra more often but I tire very quickly and it is not a light cane . For me even the lightest white canes can sometimes be just to much if this is not an issue then I recommend it or some other combination of sensor and cane that works for you . 
As for control of chair it self it is something that takes practice but I honestly don't know how anyone manages with a manual and a cane the times my chair is needed to be repaired I can't even get round my unit without crashing into everything and become totally dependant on being pushed . Something I'm not fond of with my power chair I can catch buses trains taxis go to shopping centres and conferences provided I have learnt my way around . 
Ask to trial equipment see if you can visit some expos find a good Oand M instructor and Ot who is happy to think outside the square . Don't be bullied into something that's not right for you the majority of consumers of disability equipment are given or buy the first thing that some dealer has recommended not becouse it's the most suitable but becouse they don't have enough info , don't want to make a fuss it's easier on time poor staff ect . I recommend being really choosy and doing your own research . The other sad thing that is happening is blind people are being told they can not have power chairs that it's not safe now in some cases that's true but it's also true of the power chair users who can see . Give it a go if you decide your not safe ok but don't let some one tell you simply because your blind you automatically are not safe . I would however caution learn away from busy areas and take it slow as you can hurt someone badly with that much power if you hit them .
Yes most power chairs are very heavy scooters are not practical with a cane there are some chairs and scooters that can be folded and some that can be broken into parts but are still pretty heavy another alternative is a combination manual / power chair that can be folded pushed and has a small power add on with joystick .
Battery's are all heavy and for most chairs except the folding stay in chair and you are supplied with a charger that is simply plugged in wall I plug mine overnight next to bed that way should I need to get up I simply unplug and plug back in . 
Side drop offs are the most dangerous and apparently there is a new blindness that's caused by mobile phones can also cause people to go deaf and chase imaginary creatures while the rest of us have to duck and we've to get out of there way but apparently I'm not safe because I go out on my own with a vision impairment hope this is a help keep on rolling Sarah

Sent from my iPad

> On 25 Oct 2016, at 10:00 PM, blind-rollers-request at nfbnet.org wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. Re: Power Wheelchairs and Blind People (Joshua Gregory)
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2016 08:31:34 -0400
> From: Joshua Gregory <joshtgreg at gmail.com>
> To: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Power Wheelchairs and Blind People
> Message-ID:
>    <CAPHsUDYO976a_ewL6i026pgLw=VVtgxeYPwEA7AvD6J8M7FhfQ at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
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> Awesome, so it could be done with a lot of patience/practice. Thanks!
> 
> On 10/23/16, Maureen Pranghofer via Blind-Rollers
> <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi Joshua
>> I have been using a power wheelchair since the mid 1990's.  I am also
>> totally blind.  I can't imagine life without it.  For me a mannual chair
>> would be most difficult because I have difficulty pushing it.  I handle the
>> 
>> joy stick with my right hand and hold and use the white cane with my left
>> hand.  My chair does have attendant control on the back so a sighted helper
>> 
>> can drive it.  I also use a service dog, he's brand new and wonderful.  He
>> doesn't do any guiding but picks things up for me, helps me off wit me coat
>> 
>> and carries things.  It is especially having him because he picks up my cane
>> 
>> which drops frequently.
>> Maureen
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Joshua Gregory via Blind-Rollers
>> Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 12:49 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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> End of Blind-Rollers Digest, Vol 96, Issue 5
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