[Nfb-seniors] it's happening!/I need help!

Wed Feb 20 15:08:57 UTC 2019

Hi,
I would probably want the controls in my left hand so I could use a cane in
my right, as usual. I wonder what length I should have and what type of
cane? I would thing a sturdier one would be better so if you poke it at
something it won't bend and snap.
Thanks,
Miss Lauren

Yea! the audiobook version of "Jesus makes the difference:a collection of
stories for young people" is now available on iTunes and at audible . com
(delete the spaces). 
As my cats would say:"Meow when you feel like it!"

-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Seniors <nfb-seniors-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Robert
Leslie Newman via NFB-Seniors
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 6:38 AM
To: 'NFB Senior Division list' <nfb-seniors at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Robert Leslie Newman <robertleslienewman at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-seniors] it's happening!/I need help!

Miss Lauren

I've tried this very thing out! As in, used the cane in one hand and the
chair-controller in the other; in this case, the controller lever was on the
right side, and so used a cane in the left hand. And, a shorter cane was
easier to use than my normal 65 inch length cane. You do the two-point touch
technique as usual. Just watch the speed! Slow until you get used to it. And
yes, if you have to back up, get your cane out back there to see what is
close; chair travel is not any different than if you were up on your feet
(Look before you leap/move!). 

So hey, not too much to write on this, it's just doing your same old
thing... looking with the cane, reading the info the shaft gives you
(finding obstacles and/or drop-offs, and the sound that gives you info on
the upcoming surface type.

Oh yeah, one more thing... maybe a clip or place on your chair to hold your
cane erect when you are not needing to use it, but want it there to grab
when you want to move on. One last thing... if you drop the cane, can you
easily reach down or get out of the chair to find and pick it up? Consider a
wrist-loop and possibly a light line/string tied onto the canes wrist-loop
to pull the cane back to you if it does get away from you.

Hope this helps
Respectfully yours,
Robert Leslie Newman
NFBN Senior Division, President

-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Seniors [mailto:nfb-seniors-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Lauren Merryfield via NFB-Seniors
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 8:19 AM
To: 'NFB Senior Division list' <nfb-seniors at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Lauren Merryfield <lauren at catlines.com>
Subject: [Nfb-seniors] it's happening!/I need help!

Hi,

I am now in a situation of being primarily a wheelchair-user. I am using a
manual chair which came from the airlines a few years ago when they broke
the cheapo one I had. 

I am trying to get Medicare to provide me with a new chair. 

My Dr., and others, feel that a motorized chair would be safer and more
efficient for me. 

However:

Some of those involved, including the guy who would be evaluating me is
wondering

"How does a totally blind person use a motorized wheelchair safely and
effectively?"

Sooooo, is there anyone out there who can tell me? I believe it can be done,
of course, but I do not have the skills as of yet.  

My knees and hips are shot from osteoarthritis and I can only hobble to the
bathroom and back and it is excruciatingly painful-as in bone on bone.  

I am on the blind rollers group and have posed this same question. However,
I have not yet received a reply. 

I need someone who would be willing to actually talk to these people, to
advocate for and with me. Is there anyone out there with the experience
and/or expertise to do this?

Thanks,

Lauren Merryfield

Yea! the audiobook version of "Jesus makes the difference:a collection of
stories for young people" is now available on iTunes and at audible . com
(delete the spaces). 

As my cats would say:"Meow when you feel like it!"

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