[Blind-Rollers] a turn for the... not sure

[Heather]

You can report her if you feel that she is using unfounded bias against you because of your blindness. I would call the nfb or acb to back you up! 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: Lauren Merryfield via Blind-Rollers
Sent: Friday, July 5, 2019 3:51 AM
To: 'Blind wheelchair users list'
Cc: Lauren Merryfield
Subject: [Blind-Rollers] a turn for the... not sure

Hi,

The physical therapist, who has more clout than I realized, is still
panicking about my using a power chair as a blind person.  So much so that
she is now recommending Power Assist.  She thinks I need to be reevaluated
for this type of chair.  

 

I did fine on the power loaner except for it being way too big for me. I
could only sit on the edge of the seat, which was hard to reach. 

 

So I felt like I was going to fly off at any moment. 

 

I guess some of the residents (and who know, possibly staff) have been
worried about how I might run into people who don't have very good bearings
themselves. And then, there's the elevator.  

 

I feel that the residents could get used to me on a power chair in time. 

 

She says that a manual chair with a motor is what she believes I really
need. 

 

So she's overriding my doctor and the evaluating staff.  It probably won't
take much to win them over to this new idea.  

 

So I went ahead a purchased a manual chair because my current one has many
issues.  I may not be able to pay all of my rent this month but I'll have a
wheelchair!  I mean, to reevaluate me means more months on top of the four
months that have already gone by.  So I'm not waiting on them. The chair I'm
getting is probably not near the quality the new one will be through my
insurance, but hopefully it will get me through the long wait. 

 

I have mixed feelings. Part of me agrees with the physical therapist on the
power assist compromise. But I  sure don't think she should sabotage or
railroad my getting a power chair just on fear.  

Thanks,

Lauren Merryfield

 

  Consider the flowers of a garden:  though differing in kind, color, form
and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring,
revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one sun, this
diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty.  ....
'Abdu'l-Baha 

Advice from my cats:meow when you feel like it. My audiobook is available on
Audible.com.

 

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