[Blind-rollers] knew wheelchair user

Sat Aug 4 20:29:44 UTC 2018

When I use a power chair, I do not switch hands. I just keep my control on the same side. I am right-handed, so that is the side that I prefer to use the joystick because I feel like I have more control over that hand. My left arm is stronger, so it makes it work well to use the cane in that hand.
 When I am using my manual chair, I do occasionally switch cane hands depending on what I am doing. Also, with my manual chair, I have  use of my left foot, so I take off the foot rest. I tell people as long as you’re pushing yourself, and as long as you can make your foot move with the chair, you don’t necessarily have to have a foot rest. Obviously, every situation is different.
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> On Aug 4, 2018, at 4:20 PM, Heather via Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Manual chairs make me depend on someone to push me everywhere and that just is not practical for me to go out and still do things independently! 
> Group 1 chairs are the ones you see at hospitals and  stores, a basic chair with wheels and attached foot holders. Sometimes they can be ultra light chairs with detachable arms, foot rest, seats etc. A group 2, from what I have been told, is a chair that you control with ajoy stick or a controler. They can come with one or two batteries under the chair or the back of the chair.
> They have lots that are all digital but, I cant see as they are flat paneled. 
> So I am requesting a chair with the joy stick for the controller as I do not have the arm strength to push myself around. 
> A group 3 is a 24 seven chair that can be controlled by the head, by a straw, it has a place for medical equipment one has to carry with them. 
> My friends showed me how to use my cane and my chair as they had the smart drive that was controlled by a watch. 
> But it takes longer for the chair to stop than a power chair where you let go of the controls and the chair comes to a complete stop.
> She was thrown in to the street as The chair did not stop andshe flipped over the curb.  
> Her sister was run in to a brick wall because her chair did not stop.
> So when my friends used their smart drives, they would only do walking speed. It was knew to them so we decided to sure line on the side walks and the mall instead of going down the middle.
> Now they are trying to get power chairs because it is not safe with the smart drive system. 
> The idea is to use the controls of the power chair  with one hand and use your cane with the other.
> My question  has to be what if your cane arm gets tired, can you switch? 
> I used to switch when I walked with my cane.
> So are there any chairs that have controls on both sies of the chair or can you move the panel to the other side?
> I wanted to see if there is a power chair user on the list to see if that is what they do; control on one side and use their cane on the other!
> Thanks Heather 
> 
> 
> 
> "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
> 
> From: Becky Frankeberger via Blind-Rollers
> Sent: Saturday, August 4, 2018 2:18 PM
> To: 'Blind wheelchair users list'
> Cc: Becky Frankeberger
> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] knew wheelchair user
> 
> Lauren, question. How were you when walking as a cane user. Wer you all over the sidewalk or could you pretty much keep a straight line.
> 
> True I don't know either what a group 2 chair is. 
> Becky 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Lauren Merryfield via Blind-Rollers
> Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2018 11:52 AM
> To: 'Blind wheelchair users list' <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Lauren Merryfield <lauren at catlines.com>
> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] knew wheelchair user
> 
> 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,
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "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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