[Blind-rollers] knew wheelchair user

Sat Aug 4 20:10:13 UTC 2018

Hi,
I have used a power chair and a cane, and I still do occasionally. It works well. I got training at the Louisiana Center for the blind and using a cane with sleep shades. While I was in training, I used a power chair. I have had some mishaps, but when I got used to it, it was fine. I started off on very slow speeds. I think it’s a matter of just practicing. I think saying that no one wants to see a blind person using a power chair puts more fear into people. We want to show others that blind people can use power chairs that is our choice.  My advice for getting insurance companies to pay for a power chair is just to continue advocating. It is discrimination if they tell you you can’t use a power chair because you’re blind. Also, my advice to all of you on this list is to get training using a long cane. That is the way I have learned how to travel independently. Training builds confidence! If you need help advocating, talk to your state NFB president. It is so important that we show ourselves,
 Other blind people in wheelchairs, and other people who don’t use chairs that Blindness does not have to be an obstacle to travel. It takes a lot of practice, a lot of work, and perseverance, but we should all be able to reach a level of independence with our wheelchairs. It may look a little different than it does for people who are blind and don’t use wheelchairs, but blindness should not get in our way!

Treva
Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 4, 2018, at 2:52 PM, Lauren Merryfield via Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> What is a group 2 chair? 
> 
> I tried a power chair last year but it went too fast for me even when they slowed it down.
> I wonder if there is a certain type that would be better. I am using a manual chair or a walker now. The walker isn't too bad if it hits something because the part that comes in contact with things is padded. I never did learn how to use a cane with the power chair. I about broke my cane trying. Nobody I know wants to see a blind person in a power chair; way too much fear around it.
> Thanks,
> Lauren
> Blessings in Jesus’ name! 
> "This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 
> Joshua 1:9 
> My evangelism blog is at ask in jesus name . org Visit us at catlines . com with our store coming soon.  (remove the spaces.) Advice from my cats:”Meow when you feel like it.” 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Becky Frankeberger via Blind-Rollers
> Sent: Saturday, August 4, 2018 9:39 AM
> To: 'Blind wheelchair users list' <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Becky Frankeberger <b.butterfly at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] knew wheelchair user
> 
> Do they need a dog and pony show. Tell them to slowly push you in the manual and they have to stop or turn as you command. Men hate this part, snort. You won't be perfect and they shouldn't expect you to be perfect as fully sighted have rolled over people's toes, knocked over displays etc and they know this is true.
> 
> If the cane is to heavy or whatever there is a frame made of PVC pipe with two wheels you just push ahead of you. You have choices on what works best with you. 
> 
> The doctor should know there is a very low speed the power chair can be set on, so your long cane can know what is around you and react before you knock over a display.
> 
> If you have a male PCA helping you to the bathroom, men are so much nicer then women and will let you in the men's room. Found this out when my husband was helping me and we were out, if no family bathrooms are readily available.  
> 
> Go back to that same practice and get an appointment with the P.A. or Nurse Practitioner working with that same doctor and do the dog and pony show in the building. That is BS we have to keep educating, but that is reality for the blind. 
> 
> Also, there are vibrating devices that augment the cane for when we get to close to something and the cane doesn't pick it up. There are Glasses that vibrate. Something called a Buzz Clip, and Mini Guide when you get rick enough to afford that one the Mini one. The glasses and the Buzz clip are over a hundred dollars. The Mini is like three four hundred.  
> 
> Also if you are a rehab client they can advocate with you that there is indeed other blind in power chairs that get around well especially in familiar areas in a power chair. 
> The Center for Independent Living is also there for you if you are not currently a rehab customer. They will advocate with you. 
> 
> There are pluses and minuses with power chairs if you plan to go in say a car. You will need a manual chair. Is your home turning radius wide enough for a power chair.    
> 
> Hi I am Becky, I am in and out of a manual. Now I am in as I ruptured my Achilles Tendon. Naturally I just healed from foot surgery on the other foot, and that healed foot is taking all the punishment. Scares me to tell you the truth, as I also have a bad shoulder and she is taking a lot of punishment from the manual chair. My house can't handle a full out power chair. I did see several power chairs that have the motor under the seat. That is the only kind I could use in this home. We remodeled in case, for a manual wheelchair. I have a bone disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. With this being in and out of a wheelchair is pretty normal. 
> 
> Becky      
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Heather via Blind-Rollers
> Sent: Friday, August 03, 2018 3:43 PM
> To: blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Heather <kd5cbl at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Blind-rollers] knew wheelchair user
> 
> Hello, I am glad I found this list, my friend told me about it because, my rehab specialist and both my neurologists want me to use a wheelchair because of my MS! 
> I have a manual chair as a friend gave it to me to use till I get my chair.
> So I think they said I need a group 2 power chair. 
> However, the places I have come in contact with do not think it was practical for a blind person to use a power chair and they gave me what the thought I neded instead of following my doctor’s script. 
> So I already had to contact my insureance so they, the wheelchair company could come and take the chair back. 
> Now I am trying this again with a different doctor as my other doctor will not rewrite the script again, I guess three times was to much!
> And that particular company gave them such a hard time.
> Any advice to know where to go to see these power chairs. I went to two places but, they would not show me anything when I said I was just looking and the other said my insureance will never give me a power chair because I am blind.
> My friends already have chairs and she showed me how to use my cane and the chair at the same time.
> She had a smart drive she is using till she gets her power chair. 
> The smart drive is just not safe, it threw her on the street and her sister was thrown in to a brick wall as the chair did not stop fast enough. SO actually we are looking for power chairs as we do not have the mussle strength to push ourselves with a manual!
> It think it was pure luck to meet my friends and we all have similar conditions and take some of the same meds too!
> Any advice on on power group 2 chairs?
> Thank you,
> 
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> 
> "Blindness is a characteristic, not a handicap!" Dr. Kenneth Jernigan 
> e-mail:
> kd5cbl at gmail.com
> sites:
> National Federation of The Blind:
> www.nfb.org
> An Accessible Online Library:
> www.bookshare.org
> 
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