Comments on: The Problem with Power Chairs is They Require Power http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/ Your Accessibility Conscience Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:20 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Glenda http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-211604 Glenda Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:58:00 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-211604 Update: Tuesday 11:30 am - Orion scooter and two chargers were delivered a short time ago. I'm charging my inside scooter while I type. Things are back to normal, chair-wise. Whew! Update: Tuesday 11:30 am – Orion scooter and two chargers were delivered a short time ago. I’m charging my inside scooter while I type. Things are back to normal, chair-wise. Whew!

]]> By: Glenda http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-211243 Glenda Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:32:57 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-211243 Karen, it was his life story. I thought of you while watching it! Karen, it was his life story. I thought of you while watching it!

]]> By: Karen Putz / DeafMom http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-211214 Karen Putz / DeafMom Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:11:34 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-211214 ah, what John Denver movie did you watch? ah, what John Denver movie did you watch?

]]> By: Glenda http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-211096 Glenda Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:44:29 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-211096 Update: 3:30pm - Paul called. He has been to several places for the part and batteries, but none are open. They're all doing inventory before the long weekend. WTF? So, I've folded myself into manual wheelchair - the one I've had since elementary school. Very uncomfortable. And very low, so I'm needing to lift up my arm to type. Feels like my arm is about to fall off. Me thinks it is time to go do some reading offline. Working like this ain't going to work. Update: 3:30pm – Paul called. He has been to several places for the part and batteries, but none are open. They’re all doing inventory before the long weekend. WTF?

So, I’ve folded myself into manual wheelchair – the one I’ve had since elementary school. Very uncomfortable. And very low, so I’m needing to lift up my arm to type. Feels like my arm is about to fall off. Me thinks it is time to go do some reading offline. Working like this ain’t going to work.

]]> By: Glenda http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-210917 Glenda Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:25:28 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-210917 Update: 11:15am - our techie friend Paul is coming by this afternoon with new batteries and a replacement part to attempt repairing existing charger. Yeah! I may not need to squeeze into the manual chair after all. Update: 11:15am – our techie friend Paul is coming by this afternoon with new batteries and a replacement part to attempt repairing existing charger. Yeah! I may not need to squeeze into the manual chair after all.

]]> By: Glenda http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-210853 Glenda Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:25:24 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-210853 Update: Monday 10:15am - Darrell called the service department to see about getting a new charger. Yes, they have one and will drop it off with my outside scooter. Great. The bad news: the mechanic hasn't even looked at the Orion scooter yet! I've been without it and the charger since Friday morning for nothing! I won't get it back until tomorrow, at the earliest! My inside chair is essentially dead, so I will need to drag out my manual chair and squeeze into it. I have no choice. Update: Monday 10:15am – Darrell called the service department to see about getting a new charger. Yes, they have one and will drop it off with my outside scooter. Great. The bad news: the mechanic hasn’t even looked at the Orion scooter yet! I’ve been without it and the charger since Friday morning for nothing! I won’t get it back until tomorrow, at the earliest!

My inside chair is essentially dead, so I will need to drag out my manual chair and squeeze into it. I have no choice.

]]> By: Glenda http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-210845 Glenda Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:16:30 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-210845 Amy, that's great that architecture students had that learning experience. I bet it was an eye opener, in term of physical access. Did they do similar simulations for other disability sets? Amy, that’s great that architecture students had that learning experience. I bet it was an eye opener, in term of physical access. Did they do similar simulations for other disability sets?

]]> By: Glenda http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-210844 Glenda Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:10:55 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-210844 Terry, I did end up spending yesterday afternoon and evening in bed, reading O Magazine and watching the closing ceremonies and then a movie about John Denver. Darrell even brought me supper in bed. It was a nice break, but definitely long enough. I hope you find a suitable chair for your daughter soon. Some chairs are great, but some downright suck! Terry, I did end up spending yesterday afternoon and evening in bed, reading O Magazine and watching the closing ceremonies and then a movie about John Denver. Darrell even brought me supper in bed. It was a nice break, but definitely long enough. I hope you find a suitable chair for your daughter soon. Some chairs are great, but some downright suck!

]]> By: Amy Stewart http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-210787 Amy Stewart Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:03:18 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-210787 Wow, Glenda-- I love reading your posts because they really make you think of so many things that wouldn't normally cross my mind. At Rice University where I went to college, all architecture students were required to spend a week in a wheelchair to fully appreciate the needs of the disabled. I think every student would benefit from seeing what life is like when you're totally dependent on your wheelchair. When my wheelchair-bound grandmother comes to visit, I realize how poorly designed so many things are, including antiquated wheelchairs. We ended up buying an ultra-lightweight model so we could hoist that mofo into the trunk of the car without killing ourselves. I also basically boycott restaurants that make narrow aisles, too many steps or poorly designed restrooms. At our daughter's graduation, I saw one student with the coolest automated wheelchair that could go up stairs, and could "stand" up so that you are at head height with everyone else. I even took a video of it-- brilliant feat of engineering. Your daily struggles with things like where you will be when your power runs out really makes me put my own life into perspective. Keep up the one-thumbed posting and enjoy the blog conference! Wow, Glenda– I love reading your posts because they really make you think of so many things that wouldn’t normally cross my mind.

At Rice University where I went to college, all architecture students were required to spend a week in a wheelchair to fully appreciate the needs of the disabled. I think every student would benefit from seeing what life is like when you’re totally dependent on your wheelchair.

When my wheelchair-bound grandmother comes to visit, I realize how poorly designed so many things are, including antiquated wheelchairs. We ended up buying an ultra-lightweight model so we could hoist that mofo into the trunk of the car without killing ourselves. I also basically boycott restaurants that make narrow aisles, too many steps or poorly designed restrooms.

At our daughter’s graduation, I saw one student with the coolest automated wheelchair that could go up stairs, and could “stand” up so that you are at head height with everyone else. I even took a video of it– brilliant feat of engineering.

Your daily struggles with things like where you will be when your power runs out really makes me put my own life into perspective. Keep up the one-thumbed posting and enjoy the blog conference!

]]> By: Terry Green http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/comment-page-1/#comment-210786 Terry Green Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:02:28 +0000 http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/the-problem-with-power-chairs-is-they-require-power/#comment-210786 It's probably too late in the day to give my opinion, but I vote for the bed and reading a magazine. My daughter's wheelchair battery charger sucks ... the company that services her chair gave us a really crappy one, and I truly believe it sucks the life out of the battery if you leave it plugged in. It's a real pia to push a 350lb chair around with a 110lb body in it when the battery is dead. I don't know how many times we've had to replace it, but I know we've exceeded our limit. We have a Barton's chair that will open up and lay flat, so we can put it next to Kelly's bed and pull her over into it by grabbing the bottom sheet - and then sit it back up and tilt it. It's easier to get her in (she's quadriplegic so she's not able to help with the transfer), and while it's a bit squirrelly because it has small wheels, it is very lightweight and easy to push. We're waiting to get a seating assessment for a new chair for her ... one that actually fits her and is set up so she can drive it herself without a lot of trouble or effort. It’s probably too late in the day to give my opinion, but I vote for the bed and reading a magazine. My daughter’s wheelchair battery charger sucks … the company that services her chair gave us a really crappy one, and I truly believe it sucks the life out of the battery if you leave it plugged in. It’s a real pia to push a 350lb chair around with a 110lb body in it when the battery is dead. I don’t know how many times we’ve had to replace it, but I know we’ve exceeded our limit. We have a Barton’s chair that will open up and lay flat, so we can put it next to Kelly’s bed and pull her over into it by grabbing the bottom sheet – and then sit it back up and tilt it. It’s easier to get her in (she’s quadriplegic so she’s not able to help with the transfer), and while it’s a bit squirrelly because it has small wheels, it is very lightweight and easy to push. We’re waiting to get a seating assessment for a new chair for her … one that actually fits her and is set up so she can drive it herself without a lot of trouble or effort.

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