[Blind-rollers] needing instruction

Sun Feb 19 01:54:30 UTC 2017

Hi
I have been going to write back to you since I got this but didn't have time 
till now.
>
In my first attempt to go to dinner this evening driving my new "car", I
stood and manipulated the joy stick to get the chair out of my apt. It just
barely fit through the door. >
Oh I'm surprised you could maneuver the chair while standing, you'll be a 
great driver if you can do that.
Even if your chair is normal size and it most probably is going through 
doors is tricky.  My joy stick is on the right so whatever side is not the 
joy stick side I always try and stay as close to that side as possible. 
When I go through doorways II;:
1. feel for both sides of the door jamb with my cane.
2. Aim my chair as close to the left side as possible so to prevent me from 
running the joystick into the right side because if you hit the joystick 
orsquish your fingers you can go in uncontrollable directions which is no 
fun and dangerous.It's almost like I'm sliding my chair along the left side 
of the door jamb to safely exit.
>
Then I sat down and began my trek to dinner. I noticed that sometimes when
you have turned to the left or right, and then want to go straight, you
don't necessarily go straight, because the wheels are still in turning
position. How do you deal with that issue? >
I have not found a way to do anything about that other then knowing where I 
am by using my cane and noticing with the cane that I might be further away 
from a wall then I want to be.  It is frustrating when you think, because of 
the joystick position you are going straight but you are turning especially 
when there is no wall to follow along.  I find that being totally blind in a 
power chair in a wide open area there are no loandmarks and it is virtually 
impossible to know if you are going straight.
>
I didn't use my cane tonight. I mostly used my feet. I will try next time
with my cane and see if that works better. Tonight I feared getting the cane
caught somewhere and bending or breaking it and it's the only cane I have,
my BartholoMEW, a catly name.
>
I would never travel without a cane.  I use a long NFB carbon fiber cane 
which a golf grip for the handle put on by a golf pro because it is easier 
for me to hang on to then the other cane handles.  I never use a folding 
cane because the chair makes you hit things harder then you would walking 
and the canes can unfold and break.  Also I use a very long cane, mine is 62 
inches because this gives me time to hit something and turn or stop.
>
How do you hold steady on the joy stick so that you do actually go straight>
I have a goal post type joy stick so I can lay my hand between the goal 
posts and find that this type of joystick because of the way it is 
positioned makes it a bit more easy to tell if I'm going straight but really 
the main way I know if I'm going straight is to shoreline alone a wall or 
curb or solid object.
>
When you take something as heavy as a power chair on the plane, where do
they put it? Are they careful with it? They were not careful with my manual
chair a couple years ago and I ended up with a better one from them for
their error. >
They put it in the luggage compartment.  And they are not necessarily 
caareful with it.  I take everything possible off the chair that can be 
removed, head rest, foot petals, and put them in a carry on duffle bag.  ANd 
I pray like crazy because I have had chairs damaged about 50% of the time 
when I've flown.

Maureen

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lauren Merryfield via Blind-Rollers
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2017 1:25 AM
To: 'Blind wheelchair users list'
Cc: Lauren Merryfield
Subject: [Blind-rollers] needing instruction

Hi,

Well, I was not able to just sit down and propel myself where I wanted to in
my new power chair. Right now, I need much more practice and possibly some
suggestions/instruction.

In my first attempt to go to dinner this evening driving my new "car", I
stood and manipulated the joy stick to get the chair out of my apt. It just
barely fit through the door.

Then I sat down and began my trek to dinner. I noticed that sometimes when
you have turned to the left or right, and then want to go straight, you
don't necessarily go straight, because the wheels are still in turning
position. How do you deal with that issue?

I did go straight a small amount of the time but mostly zigged and zagged
left and right like some kind of drunk, down the hall.

I ran over my feet a couple times, trapped my hand against the wall one
time, and, in general, was on a ride that was like a roller coaster on a
level surface.

The important fact is that I made it to dinner! But I'm sure anyone watching
me was worried for the walls.

I didn't use my cane tonight. I mostly used my feet. I will try next time
with my cane and see if that works better. Tonight I feared getting the cane
caught somewhere and bending or breaking it and it's the only cane I have,
my BartholoMEW, a catly name.

How do you hold steady on the joy stick so that you do actually go straight
forward or backward. It moves almost too easily. Is there a correct way to
position your fingers/thumb on the joystick that gives you more control over
it?

I'm filling out paperwork for paratransit in the city I'm moving to in a
couple weeks. One question they had is "is your power chair oversize?" I
don't know that. I am guessing it might be because I am.

When you take something as heavy as a power chair on the plane, where do
they put it? Are they careful with it? They were not careful with my manual
chair a couple years ago and I ended up with a better one from them for
their error.

Thanks for now,

Lauren

Blessings in Jesus' name. "But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each
morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my
refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress."

   --Psalm 59:16, NLT

Advice from my cats:"meow when you feel like it."

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