[Blind-rollers] Blind-rollers Digest, Vol 1, Issue 9
Dan
JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net
Thu Aug 2 14:13:12 CDT 2007
Hello,
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best.
Dan
On Aug 2, 2007, at 11:35 AM, Jennifer Aberdeen wrote:
> Thanks, I'm glad I don't have to choose just one. When I was at the
> Carroll
> Center for my two week evaluation, the mobility teacher had called
> Adelco in
> Connecticut, but the person she spoke to there said they didn't
> have any
> experience training blind persons with other disabilities and
> suggested
> Southeastern.
>
> I guess it's not really something I have to rush into right now though
> anyway. We have an American Eskimo who doesn't get along with other
> dogs. I
> know we could get rid of him, but I would be heart broken if we
> ever had to
> do that. I'll seriously consider getting a dog when I move out though.
>
> Jen
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan" <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 1:46 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Blind-rollers Digest, Vol 1, Issue 9
>
>
>> Hello Jennifer,
>> From my own experiences.
>> First of all, you are the one who chooses the school you want, unless
>> someone is assisting you with any payments or transportation costs.
>> Then if that school has what you need, of course that's all for the
>> better.
>> There is no law that says you can only go to The Seeing Eye.
>> For example, if I wanted to get another Dog Guide, I'd examine the
>> different schools and decide which one I wanted to go to. Then I'd
>> fill out an application. Then after I was accepted and got my medical
>> physical, I'd be off to get a dog. Supposing every school trained
>> those who use wheelchairs, then I'd just pick what ever school I
>> want.
>> I could pick almost any school in the country.
>> I've been to Leader Dog, supported by Lions Clubs. Other than that
>> one, I was able to pick any school I wanted. So the next several dogs
>> were from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Even though I didn't live in
>> California or Oregon. They could have been from The Seeing Eye or any
>> other school for that matter.
>> While I'm not endorsing any particular brand of chair, I believe that
>> Southeastern was training people to use dogs with a Hover Round
>> chair. I read this a few years ago.
>>
>> Dan
>> On Aug 2, 2007, at 9:51 AM, Jennifer Aberdeen wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Dan and listers,
>>>
>>> In regards to schools that train dogs for the blind, I had read
>>> about
>>> Southeastern in Florida. I had hopes to perhaps someday get a dog
>>> there
>>> because they have experience training dogs for people who have other
>>> disabilities besides blindness. However, someone told me just the
>>> other day
>>> that if I wanted to get a dog, I would go to the one in New Jersey.
>>> I have
>>> nothing against New Jersey, especially if I can get the dog for
>>> free, but
>>> the school in Florida sounds really good. They even have an out-
>>> reach
>>> program for people like me who can't travel...well, I guess I Can't
>>> travel...but from what I understand, the dog is free from the
>>> school in
>>> Florida too.
>>>
>>> Jen
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Dan" <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 12:29 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Blind-rollers Digest, Vol 1, Issue 9
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi marcel and list,
>>>> Way to go!
>>>> I've been told many times throughout my life, "But you cant do that
>>>> because you're blind." Or sometimes, "You cant do that." In either
>>>> case the meaning is the same.
>>>> I suppose that as a blind person we all have to pick our
>>>> battles. But
>>>> then again, everyone, blind or not, has to pick his or her own
>>>> battles.
>>>> Perhaps, that's what helps to make life interesting.
>>>>
>>>> I feel that every little inroad that is made in terms of success
>>>> by a
>>>> blind person is extremely valuable.
>>>> I wonder what I'll have to face the next time I get a new
>>>> wheelchair?
>>>> But of course, I hope this one lasts a long time.
>>>> I am really pleased to learn about others using chairs and ofcourse
>>>> this list is certainly doing that! While I was doing research prior
>>>> to my approaching my medical people about a chair, I found only 1
>>>> article written by a blind wheelchair user and that was from the
>>>> mid
>>>> 90s. I also found some references to some Dog Guide schools who
>>>> were
>>>> training blind wheelchair users to use a dog.
>>>> Well, that's enough of my going on and on.
>>>> Later,
>>>> Dan
>>>> On Aug 2, 2007, at 8:11 AM, marcel wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi all
>>>>> this is Marcel the blind rolling northerner. Reading your
>>>>> discussions about
>>>>> the professionals not thinking it possible for blind people to use
>>>>> wheel
>>>>> chairs, I am a little discouraged because I thought only here in
>>>>> Canada
>>>>> could be so behind in their thinking. I see now that it is wide
>>>>> spread so I
>>>>> guess every tine we convince a professional it can be done, is
>>>>> another
>>>>> notch in our belts. Keep proving them wrong people , I know I am
>>>>> doing just
>>>>> that and every opportunity I get to get in their faces I am right
>>>>> there.
>>>>> Keep on rolling..
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: <blind-rollers-request at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> To: <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 1:00 PM
>>>>> Subject: Blind-rollers Digest, Vol 1, Issue 9
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Send Blind-rollers mailing list submissions to
>>>>>> blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>>>> blind-rollers-request at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>>>> blind-rollers-owner at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more
>>>>>> specific
>>>>>> than "Re: Contents of Blind-rollers digest..."
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Today's Topics:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 1. Re: On driving lessons, was, RE: hello. (Dan)
>>>>>> 2. Re: Just wanted to say Hello (Rob Kaiser)
>>>>>> 3. Re: Just wanted to say Hello (Dan)
>>>>>> 4. Re: On driving lessons, was, RE: hello. (Petra van Driel)
>>>>>> 5. Re: On driving lessons, was, RE: hello. (Dan)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> -
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Message: 1
>>>>>> Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:39:42 -0700
>>>>>> From: Dan <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] On driving lessons, was, RE: hello.
>>>>>> To: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Message-ID: <B2C7FB6A-F83A-48B6-B8C5-A9E3372A7575 at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes;
>>>>>> format=flowed
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>> Thanks for sharing your experiences with everyone.
>>>>>> I like a center-wheel drive because of the stability. I have a
>>>>>> Jassy
>>>>>> 610 and I love it.
>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>> On Jul 27, 2007, at 6:29 AM, Petra van Driel wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When I decided to function more independently, the only thing
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> could
>>>>>>> work for me in onfamiliar places was a guidedog. And because I
>>>>>>> love
>>>>>>> to have
>>>>>>> a dog, that just was something to look forward to. I tried to
>>>>>>> use a
>>>>>>> thing
>>>>>>> that in dutch is called a rollator. I don't know if their is an
>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>> english word for a kind of walker on wheels. But I didn't learn
>>>>>>> routes by
>>>>>>> than and got so tired of walking we decided on a scootmobile.
>>>>>>> But a
>>>>>>> powerchair seemed to work better, because it has nothing
>>>>>>> infront of
>>>>>>> you,
>>>>>>> where the other thing had a little steering thing infront and
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> third
>>>>>>> wheel. I learned how to drive hand in hand with my boyfriend.
>>>>>>> And
>>>>>>> after the
>>>>>>> dog came we chased each other in the big hall of our apartement.
>>>>>>> When
>>>>>>> searching for a good manual chair compair the weights of
>>>>>>> different
>>>>>>> types.
>>>>>>> And trie to read about it on the web. I'll fill in the gaps
>>>>>>> of my
>>>>>>> english
>>>>>>> some more and than translate my dutch webpages on
>>>>>>> wheelchairguiding
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> wheelchair use for vips. (vips, visual impaired persons)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Not just the camber was an important detail when getting this
>>>>>>> wheelchair,
>>>>>>> for me the small reerweals are placed a little infront of my
>>>>>>> feet.
>>>>>>> So I can
>>>>>>> never axidently hurt my feet, can put the chair in the right way
>>>>>>> for taking
>>>>>>> curbes and the biggest advantage, I can't tip over that way. The
>>>>>>> day this
>>>>>>> chair came, again, whe started out using hand in hand, and
>>>>>>> when I
>>>>>>> could
>>>>>>> drive, Beau was happy to work with it.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Best regards Petra
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Message: 2
>>>>>> Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:41:13 -0700
>>>>>> From: "Rob Kaiser" <rkaiser4 at socal.rr.com>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Message-ID: <007001c7d053$ccf99480$6ea54a42 at robxp>
>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>>>>>> reply-type=original
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello again. As you all know, I sent a message about my
>>>>>> neuropathy, and
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> I may have to go to a wheelchair soon especially if they have to
>>>>>> put in a
>>>>>> morafeen catheter in my leg. in anyone's experiences, how do most
>>>>>> employers
>>>>>> feel about having a blind worker in a wheelchair? Do a lot of
>>>>>> safety
>>>>>> questions come up. I am suppose to start a new job with Verizon
>>>>>> Wireless
>>>>>> call center in Irvine, CA on August 6th.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>>> PRESIDENT, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF CALIFORNIA ORANGE
>>>>>> COUNTY
>>>>>> CHAPTER
>>>>>> HOME PHONE (714)289-9114
>>>>>> CELL PHONE (714)323-5203
>>>>>> EMAIL ADDRESS: rkaiser4 at socal.rr.com
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "dmgina" <dmgina at qwest.net>
>>>>>> To: <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 8:58 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Dan,
>>>>>>> Didn't you get down on one knee to ask your wife for marriage?
>>>>>>> Ha, well now doing it again is romantic but don't work so hard
>>>>>>> at it
>>>>>>> smile.
>>>>>>> Hehehehehe.
>>>>>>> Dar ----- source message -----
>>>>>>> from: Dan <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>>> to: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> date: thursday Jul 26 2007, 18:52:56
>>>>>>> subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hey Dar,
>>>>>>>> I really would suggest that you walk as long as you can. Even
>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>> I'm in my house, where I can follow the walls, I walk some
>>>>>>>> every
>>>>>>>> day.
>>>>>>>> But one time while doing this, I fell down, right in front of
>>>>>>>> some
>>>>>>>> friends we had over for dinner. And you know what? They laughed
>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>> me, not at me, even my Wife and Son got in on the act. They
>>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>>> suggested that I might take my situation a little more
>>>>>>>> seriously. I
>>>>>>>> guess they are right. But still, when I can, I try to walk
>>>>>>>> some.
>>>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>>>> On Jul 26, 2007, at 6:24 PM, dmgina wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hi there,
>>>>>>>>> I think it is grate.
>>>>>>>>> I don't need a chair yet,
>>>>>>>>> and hope that I can walk for as long as I can.
>>>>>>>>> Good for you.
>>>>>>>>> I don't understand terms of a chair, so if I ask, don't
>>>>>>>>> feel you
>>>>>>>>> are doing
>>>>>>>>> something wrong.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --Dar
>>>>>>>>> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
>>>>>>>>> Every Saint has a past
>>>>>>>>> Every Sinner has a future
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>> From: "Kim & Sophie" <kim_and_sophie at yahoo.ca>
>>>>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:04 PM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I knew through trial and error. The first one I had didn't
>>>>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>>>>> for me at
>>>>>>>>>> all! It was too big, the seat was almost flat so I kept
>>>>>>>>>> falling
>>>>>>>>>> forward
>>>>>>>>>> because I have no trunk control, and every part of it was
>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>> wrong. I
>>>>>>>>>> had worked with 5 "seating speacialists" when I had this
>>>>>>>>>> chair. I
>>>>>>>>>> got
>>>>>>>>>> measured by one and the other 4 tried to make things work
>>>>>>>>>> for me
>>>>>>>>>> but they
>>>>>>>>>> never did.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The next chair I got was measured by myself and my
>>>>>>>>>> boyfriend and
>>>>>>>>>> it fits
>>>>>>>>>> me perfectly. I took 2 inches off of the seat width, had
>>>>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>>>>> "dump" in
>>>>>>>>>> the seat so I could sit up without always having to lean
>>>>>>>>>> on one
>>>>>>>>>> arm, and
>>>>>>>>>> changed every single measurement right down to the wheels. I
>>>>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>>>>> got
>>>>>>>>>> more camber on my wheels because I knew I would be more
>>>>>>>>>> stable on
>>>>>>>>>> slanted
>>>>>>>>>> sidewalks and wouldn't get my fingers caught like I use to.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I guess it all comes down to finding out what works or don't
>>>>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>>>>> for you
>>>>>>>>>> by trying things and making adjustments. My first chair
>>>>>>>>>> was a
>>>>>>>>>> Quickie GT
>>>>>>>>>> so everything on it was adjustable. I kept tweaking it
>>>>>>>>>> until I
>>>>>>>>>> knew what
>>>>>>>>>> I needed. It still didn't work for me, but I knew from the
>>>>>>>>>> things
>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>> didn't work what would work.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> My new chair is a Invacare Top End Titanium and it has no
>>>>>>>>>> adjustments at
>>>>>>>>>> all besides the rear axle. I love it because nothing comes
>>>>>>>>>> loose
>>>>>>>>>> and it
>>>>>>>>>> takes a lot of weight off of the chair. There are less
>>>>>>>>>> things to
>>>>>>>>>> worry
>>>>>>>>>> about breaking and it only weighs 18fulbs including cushion,
>>>>>>>>>> wheels,
>>>>>>>>>> backrest etc.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Try some differnt things out and don't let a "seating
>>>>>>>>>> speacialist" force
>>>>>>>>>> you into something without having a chance to test it out
>>>>>>>>>> and see
>>>>>>>>>> if it
>>>>>>>>>> works for yourself. If I had listened to everyone I would
>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>> been in a
>>>>>>>>>> power chair in a nursing home with my guide dog taken
>>>>>>>>>> away, but
>>>>>>>>>> instead
>>>>>>>>>> I'm living on my own half of the time (my boyfriend travels a
>>>>>>>>>> lot for
>>>>>>>>>> work), I still have my guide dog and I use a manual chair,
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> own
>>>>>>>>>> my own
>>>>>>>>>> buisness. I've also started wheelchair racing. All
>>>>>>>>>> because I
>>>>>>>>>> made it
>>>>>>>>>> perfectly clear from the beginning that it's my life and I
>>>>>>>>>> wasn't
>>>>>>>>>> about to
>>>>>>>>>> give in to whatever I was told before trying things out.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Kim & Sophie
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> dmgina <dmgina at qwest.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> How did you know what to add to your chair to work for you?
>>>>>>>>>> Or did you get professional help?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> --Dar
>>>>>>>>>> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
>>>>>>>>>> Every Saint has a past
>>>>>>>>>> Every Sinner has a future
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>> From: "Kim & Sophie"
>>>>>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list"
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 11:55 AM
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I had this problem with my old wheelchair because I only
>>>>>>>>>>> had 3
>>>>>>>>>>> degrees of
>>>>>>>>>>> camber on my wheels. I would get my hand caught between
>>>>>>>>>>> doorways
>>>>>>>>>>> a lot and
>>>>>>>>>>> because I have no feeling in my hands I wouldn't realize
>>>>>>>>>>> until I
>>>>>>>>>>> couldn't
>>>>>>>>>>> move forward, or I couldn't pull my arm away from my wheel.
>>>>>>>>>>> When
>>>>>>>>>>> I got my
>>>>>>>>>>> new wheelchair I got 9 degrees of camber on my wheels and
>>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>>> gives me
>>>>>>>>>>> enough room so my hands don't touch door frames etc.
>>>>>>>>>>> because the
>>>>>>>>>>> bottom of
>>>>>>>>>>> my wheels can only touch the door frame leaving room
>>>>>>>>>>> between the
>>>>>>>>>>> top of
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> wheel for my hand.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> If you decide to add more camber to your chair you really
>>>>>>>>>>> should
>>>>>>>>>>> consider
>>>>>>>>>>> the width yoru chair will be at the base though. You don't
>>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>>> to do it
>>>>>>>>>>> and be too wide to fit through some doorways! It also adds a
>>>>>>>>>>> lot of
>>>>>>>>>>> stability from side to side to your chair.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Kim & Sophie
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Laura Eaves wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Jen --
>>>>>>>>>>> I crash into things with the manual chair too, but I have
>>>>>>>>>>> control
>>>>>>>>>>> enough
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> stop. Perhaps with practice, the same would be true with a
>>>>>>>>>>> power
>>>>>>>>>>> chair.
>>>>>>>>>>> One annoying thing about using the manual chair is that I
>>>>>>>>>>> frequently --
>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>> is, ininv* frequently -- get my hand caught between the
>>>>>>>>>>> chair
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> furniture and so my hands and fingers are constantly
>>>>>>>>>>> bruised and
>>>>>>>>>>> swollen
>>>>>>>>>>> from little injuries, not to mention painful as heck.
>>>>>>>>>>> Does anyone else have this problem?
>>>>>>>>>>> I am fortunate in that I have full use of my arms -- I
>>>>>>>>>>> suppose
>>>>>>>>>>> there are
>>>>>>>>>>> some on the list that are more limited. I am also able to
>>>>>>>>>>> stand and
>>>>>>>>>>> pivot,
>>>>>>>>>>> but not walk.
>>>>>>>>>>> As for how I stear, I just push with one arm and feel
>>>>>>>>>>> with my
>>>>>>>>>>> feet and
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> other arm. I only carry the cane strapped to my chair for
>>>>>>>>>>> identification
>>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>>> people know I'm blind. If I used a power chair I suppose I
>>>>>>>>>>> could
>>>>>>>>>>> use the
>>>>>>>>>>> cane for mobility more easily.
>>>>>>>>>>> Comments welcome.
>>>>>>>>>>> --le
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Jennifer Aberdeen"
>>>>>>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list"
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 10:12 AM
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Laura,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I know your question was to Dan, and I don't want to high-
>>>>>>>>>>> jack
>>>>>>>>>>> the email
>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> any way, but I just wanted to ask you how you got around in
>>>>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>>>>> manual
>>>>>>>>>>> chair? I have a manual chair right now, and I have a really
>>>>>>>>>>> hard
>>>>>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>>>>>> getting around unfamiliar places, which is just about
>>>>>>>>>>> everywhere
>>>>>>>>>>> except
>>>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>>> house. I have a one-armed gear manual chair, but I don't
>>>>>>>>>>> use it
>>>>>>>>>>> the way
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>>>>>>> supposed to because I almost broke my wrist trying to steer
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> chair
>>>>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> was learning how to use it. I'm hoping that my mobility
>>>>>>>>>>> will be
>>>>>>>>>>> easier
>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>> the power chair, but if for some reason I can't drive it
>>>>>>>>>>> without
>>>>>>>>>>> crashing
>>>>>>>>>>> into things, I don't know what I'll do. I really need to be
>>>>>>>>>>> able
>>>>>>>>>>> to get
>>>>>>>>>>> around without people helping me.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Jen
>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Laura Eaves"
>>>>>>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list"
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 2:42 AM
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Dan -- Welcome to the list!
>>>>>>>>>>>> I am blind and use a manual chair.
>>>>>>>>>>>> I tried a power chair at one point just to see how well it
>>>>>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>>>>>> work,
>>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>> pretty much demolished the furniture and took some paint
>>>>>>>>>>>> off
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> wall. I
>>>>>>>>>>>> suppose for a one-day trial with no experience that was
>>>>>>>>>>>> to be
>>>>>>>>>>>> expected,
>>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>>> I decided that for various reasons I preferred the
>>>>>>>>>>>> manual --
>>>>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> least
>>>>>>>>>>>> of which is that I don't need a van to travel, and if I
>>>>>>>>>>>> need
>>>>>>>>>>>> a ride
>>>>>>>>>>>> somewhere, my friend can throw my light weight folding
>>>>>>>>>>>> chair
>>>>>>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>>>>>>> trunk
>>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>> any car quite easily.
>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a question -- are you total or do you have some
>>>>>>>>>>>> vision?
>>>>>>>>>>>> and if
>>>>>>>>>>>> so,
>>>>>>>>>>>> how much?
>>>>>>>>>>>> When I was working, when my vision was better, I could see
>>>>>>>>>>>> enough to
>>>>>>>>>>>> stear
>>>>>>>>>>>> in familiar territory. But now my vision is not good
>>>>>>>>>>>> enough to
>>>>>>>>>>>> navigate
>>>>>>>>>>>> much at all. I do most all navigation by touch, or checking
>>>>>>>>>>>> out the
>>>>>>>>>>>> light
>>>>>>>>>>>> fixtures in the room (I have light vision) to know where I
>>>>>>>>>>>> am.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Take care.
>>>>>>>>>>>> --le
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Dan"
>>>>>>>>>>>> To:
>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 12:26 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>>>>> I am a totally blind person who has been successfully
>>>>>>>>>>>> using an
>>>>>>>>>>>> electric wheelchair for over a year.
>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a Jazzy-610 with a PG VSI 50 Amp controller mounted
>>>>>>>>>>>> on the
>>>>>>>>>>>> left arm rest. This is a Center-wheel drive with Active
>>>>>>>>>>>> Track
>>>>>>>>>>>> Suspension and I absolutely love the Six-Wheels on the
>>>>>>>>>>>> ground at
>>>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>>>> times. It really does give me tremendous stability.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I didn't need Rehab Seating. However I do have a High-
>>>>>>>>>>>> Backed
>>>>>>>>>>>> seat
>>>>>>>>>>>> with a Headrest and it also Reclines.
>>>>>>>>>>>> While I can still walk some, I feel much safer in the
>>>>>>>>>>>> wheelchair.
>>>>>>>>>>>> For guidance I use an extremely lightweight carbon fiber
>>>>>>>>>>>> folding
>>>>>>>>>>>> cane with a roller tip and it works great.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> ---------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>> Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving
>>>>>>>>>>> junk
>>>>>>>>>>> email the
>>>>>>>>>>> boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> ----
>>>>>>>>>> -----------
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> ----
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>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>> Version: 7.5.476 still Virus Database: 269.10.19/917 --
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>>>>>>>>>> 7/25/2007
>>>>>>>>>> 1:16 AM
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ---------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on
>>>>>>>>>> the web
>>>>>>>>>> and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> ----
>>>>>>>>> ----------
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
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>>>>>>>>> Date:
>>>>>>>>> 7/25/2007
>>>>>>>>> 1:16 AM
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Dar
>>>>>>> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
>>>>>>> every saint has a past
>>>>>>> every sinner has a future
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Message: 3
>>>>>> Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 07:45:10 -0700
>>>>>> From: Dan <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>> To: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Message-ID: <8252E442-0014-4A2D-925F-8AA2F083903C at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes;
>>>>>> format=flowed
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>> I recently retired. But before I retired, my employer was quite
>>>>>> open
>>>>>> to my having a wheelchair on the campus. If anything negative was
>>>>>> ever said, I never heard of it.
>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>> On Jul 27, 2007, at 6:41 AM, Rob Kaiser wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hello again. As you all know, I sent a message about my
>>>>>>> neuropathy,
>>>>>>> and that
>>>>>>> I may have to go to a wheelchair soon especially if they have to
>>>>>>> put in a
>>>>>>> morafeen catheter in my leg. in anyone's experiences, how do
>>>>>>> most
>>>>>>> employers
>>>>>>> feel about having a blind worker in a wheelchair? Do a lot of
>>>>>>> safety
>>>>>>> questions come up. I am suppose to start a new job with Verizon
>>>>>>> Wireless
>>>>>>> call center in Irvine, CA on August 6th.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>> PRESIDENT, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF CALIFORNIA ORANGE
>>>>>>> COUNTY
>>>>>>> CHAPTER
>>>>>>> HOME PHONE (714)289-9114
>>>>>>> CELL PHONE (714)323-5203
>>>>>>> EMAIL ADDRESS: rkaiser4 at socal.rr.com
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "dmgina" <dmgina at qwest.net>
>>>>>>> To: <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 8:58 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dan,
>>>>>>>> Didn't you get down on one knee to ask your wife for marriage?
>>>>>>>> Ha, well now doing it again is romantic but don't work so hard
>>>>>>>> at it
>>>>>>>> smile.
>>>>>>>> Hehehehehe.
>>>>>>>> Dar ----- source message -----
>>>>>>>> from: Dan <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>>>> to: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> date: thursday Jul 26 2007, 18:52:56
>>>>>>>> subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hey Dar,
>>>>>>>>> I really would suggest that you walk as long as you can. Even
>>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>>> I'm in my house, where I can follow the walls, I walk some
>>>>>>>>> every
>>>>>>>>> day.
>>>>>>>>> But one time while doing this, I fell down, right in front of
>>>>>>>>> some
>>>>>>>>> friends we had over for dinner. And you know what? They
>>>>>>>>> laughed
>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>> me, not at me, even my Wife and Son got in on the act. They
>>>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>>>> suggested that I might take my situation a little more
>>>>>>>>> seriously. I
>>>>>>>>> guess they are right. But still, when I can, I try to walk
>>>>>>>>> some.
>>>>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>>>>> On Jul 26, 2007, at 6:24 PM, dmgina wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi there,
>>>>>>>>>> I think it is grate.
>>>>>>>>>> I don't need a chair yet,
>>>>>>>>>> and hope that I can walk for as long as I can.
>>>>>>>>>> Good for you.
>>>>>>>>>> I don't understand terms of a chair, so if I ask, don't feel
>>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>>> are doing
>>>>>>>>>> something wrong.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> --Dar
>>>>>>>>>> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
>>>>>>>>>> Every Saint has a past
>>>>>>>>>> Every Sinner has a future
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>> From: "Kim & Sophie" <kim_and_sophie at yahoo.ca>
>>>>>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:04 PM
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I knew through trial and error. The first one I had didn't
>>>>>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>>>>>> for me at
>>>>>>>>>>> all! It was too big, the seat was almost flat so I kept
>>>>>>>>>>> falling
>>>>>>>>>>> forward
>>>>>>>>>>> because I have no trunk control, and every part of it was
>>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>>> wrong. I
>>>>>>>>>>> had worked with 5 "seating speacialists" when I had this
>>>>>>>>>>> chair. I
>>>>>>>>>>> got
>>>>>>>>>>> measured by one and the other 4 tried to make things work
>>>>>>>>>>> for me
>>>>>>>>>>> but they
>>>>>>>>>>> never did.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> The next chair I got was measured by myself and my
>>>>>>>>>>> boyfriend
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> it fits
>>>>>>>>>>> me perfectly. I took 2 inches off of the seat width, had
>>>>>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>>>>>> "dump" in
>>>>>>>>>>> the seat so I could sit up without always having to lean on
>>>>>>>>>>> one
>>>>>>>>>>> arm, and
>>>>>>>>>>> changed every single measurement right down to the
>>>>>>>>>>> wheels. I
>>>>>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>>>>>> got
>>>>>>>>>>> more camber on my wheels because I knew I would be more
>>>>>>>>>>> stable on
>>>>>>>>>>> slanted
>>>>>>>>>>> sidewalks and wouldn't get my fingers caught like I use to.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I guess it all comes down to finding out what works or
>>>>>>>>>>> don't
>>>>>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>>>>>> for you
>>>>>>>>>>> by trying things and making adjustments. My first chair
>>>>>>>>>>> was a
>>>>>>>>>>> Quickie GT
>>>>>>>>>>> so everything on it was adjustable. I kept tweaking it
>>>>>>>>>>> until I
>>>>>>>>>>> knew what
>>>>>>>>>>> I needed. It still didn't work for me, but I knew from the
>>>>>>>>>>> things
>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>> didn't work what would work.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> My new chair is a Invacare Top End Titanium and it has no
>>>>>>>>>>> adjustments at
>>>>>>>>>>> all besides the rear axle. I love it because nothing comes
>>>>>>>>>>> loose
>>>>>>>>>>> and it
>>>>>>>>>>> takes a lot of weight off of the chair. There are less
>>>>>>>>>>> things to
>>>>>>>>>>> worry
>>>>>>>>>>> about breaking and it only weighs 18fulbs including cushion,
>>>>>>>>>>> wheels,
>>>>>>>>>>> backrest etc.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Try some differnt things out and don't let a "seating
>>>>>>>>>>> speacialist" force
>>>>>>>>>>> you into something without having a chance to test it out
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> see
>>>>>>>>>>> if it
>>>>>>>>>>> works for yourself. If I had listened to everyone I would
>>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>>> been in a
>>>>>>>>>>> power chair in a nursing home with my guide dog taken away,
>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>> instead
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm living on my own half of the time (my boyfriend
>>>>>>>>>>> travels a
>>>>>>>>>>> lot for
>>>>>>>>>>> work), I still have my guide dog and I use a manual chair,
>>>>>>>>>>> and own
>>>>>>>>>>> my own
>>>>>>>>>>> buisness. I've also started wheelchair racing. All
>>>>>>>>>>> because I
>>>>>>>>>>> made it
>>>>>>>>>>> perfectly clear from the beginning that it's my life and I
>>>>>>>>>>> wasn't
>>>>>>>>>>> about to
>>>>>>>>>>> give in to whatever I was told before trying things out.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Kim & Sophie
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> dmgina <dmgina at qwest.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> How did you know what to add to your chair to work for you?
>>>>>>>>>>> Or did you get professional help?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> --Dar
>>>>>>>>>>> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
>>>>>>>>>>> Every Saint has a past
>>>>>>>>>>> Every Sinner has a future
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Kim & Sophie"
>>>>>>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list"
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 11:55 AM
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I had this problem with my old wheelchair because I only
>>>>>>>>>>>> had 3
>>>>>>>>>>>> degrees of
>>>>>>>>>>>> camber on my wheels. I would get my hand caught between
>>>>>>>>>>>> doorways
>>>>>>>>>>>> a lot and
>>>>>>>>>>>> because I have no feeling in my hands I wouldn't realize
>>>>>>>>>>>> until I
>>>>>>>>>>>> couldn't
>>>>>>>>>>>> move forward, or I couldn't pull my arm away from my wheel.
>>>>>>>>>>>> When
>>>>>>>>>>>> I got my
>>>>>>>>>>>> new wheelchair I got 9 degrees of camber on my wheels and
>>>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>>>> gives me
>>>>>>>>>>>> enough room so my hands don't touch door frames etc.
>>>>>>>>>>>> because
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> bottom of
>>>>>>>>>>>> my wheels can only touch the door frame leaving room
>>>>>>>>>>>> between
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> top of
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> wheel for my hand.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> If you decide to add more camber to your chair you really
>>>>>>>>>>>> should
>>>>>>>>>>>> consider
>>>>>>>>>>>> the width yoru chair will be at the base though. You don't
>>>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>>>> to do it
>>>>>>>>>>>> and be too wide to fit through some doorways! It also
>>>>>>>>>>>> adds a
>>>>>>>>>>>> lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>> stability from side to side to your chair.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Kim & Sophie
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Laura Eaves wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Jen --
>>>>>>>>>>>> I crash into things with the manual chair too, but I have
>>>>>>>>>>>> control
>>>>>>>>>>>> enough
>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>> stop. Perhaps with practice, the same would be true with a
>>>>>>>>>>>> power
>>>>>>>>>>>> chair.
>>>>>>>>>>>> One annoying thing about using the manual chair is that I
>>>>>>>>>>>> frequently --
>>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>>> is, ininv* frequently -- get my hand caught between the
>>>>>>>>>>>> chair and
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> furniture and so my hands and fingers are constantly
>>>>>>>>>>>> bruised
>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>> swollen
>>>>>>>>>>>> from little injuries, not to mention painful as heck.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Does anyone else have this problem?
>>>>>>>>>>>> I am fortunate in that I have full use of my arms -- I
>>>>>>>>>>>> suppose
>>>>>>>>>>>> there are
>>>>>>>>>>>> some on the list that are more limited. I am also able to
>>>>>>>>>>>> stand and
>>>>>>>>>>>> pivot,
>>>>>>>>>>>> but not walk.
>>>>>>>>>>>> As for how I stear, I just push with one arm and feel
>>>>>>>>>>>> with my
>>>>>>>>>>>> feet and
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> other arm. I only carry the cane strapped to my chair for
>>>>>>>>>>>> identification
>>>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>>>> people know I'm blind. If I used a power chair I suppose I
>>>>>>>>>>>> could
>>>>>>>>>>>> use the
>>>>>>>>>>>> cane for mobility more easily.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Comments welcome.
>>>>>>>>>>>> --le
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Jennifer Aberdeen"
>>>>>>>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list"
>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 10:12 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Laura,
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I know your question was to Dan, and I don't want to high-
>>>>>>>>>>>> jack
>>>>>>>>>>>> the email
>>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>>> any way, but I just wanted to ask you how you got around in
>>>>>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>>>>>> manual
>>>>>>>>>>>> chair? I have a manual chair right now, and I have a really
>>>>>>>>>>>> hard
>>>>>>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>>>>>>> getting around unfamiliar places, which is just about
>>>>>>>>>>>> everywhere
>>>>>>>>>>>> except
>>>>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>>>> house. I have a one-armed gear manual chair, but I don't
>>>>>>>>>>>> use it
>>>>>>>>>>>> the way
>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>>>>>>>> supposed to because I almost broke my wrist trying to
>>>>>>>>>>>> steer the
>>>>>>>>>>>> chair
>>>>>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>> was learning how to use it. I'm hoping that my mobility
>>>>>>>>>>>> will be
>>>>>>>>>>>> easier
>>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>>> the power chair, but if for some reason I can't drive it
>>>>>>>>>>>> without
>>>>>>>>>>>> crashing
>>>>>>>>>>>> into things, I don't know what I'll do. I really need to be
>>>>>>>>>>>> able
>>>>>>>>>>>> to get
>>>>>>>>>>>> around without people helping me.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Jen
>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Laura Eaves"
>>>>>>>>>>>> To: "Blind wheelchair users list"
>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 2:42 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Dan -- Welcome to the list!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I am blind and use a manual chair.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I tried a power chair at one point just to see how well it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>>>>>>> work,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> pretty much demolished the furniture and took some paint
>>>>>>>>>>>>> off the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> wall. I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> suppose for a one-day trial with no experience that was
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to be
>>>>>>>>>>>>> expected,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I decided that for various reasons I preferred the manual
>>>>>>>>>>>>> -- not
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> least
>>>>>>>>>>>>> of which is that I don't need a van to travel, and if I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> need
>>>>>>>>>>>>> a ride
>>>>>>>>>>>>> somewhere, my friend can throw my light weight folding
>>>>>>>>>>>>> chair
>>>>>>>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> trunk
>>>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>>> any car quite easily.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a question -- are you total or do you have some
>>>>>>>>>>>>> vision?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and if
>>>>>>>>>>>>> so,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> how much?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I was working, when my vision was better, I could see
>>>>>>>>>>>>> enough to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> stear
>>>>>>>>>>>>> in familiar territory. But now my vision is not good
>>>>>>>>>>>>> enough to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> navigate
>>>>>>>>>>>>> much at all. I do most all navigation by touch, or
>>>>>>>>>>>>> checking
>>>>>>>>>>>>> out the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> light
>>>>>>>>>>>>> fixtures in the room (I have light vision) to know where
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I am.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Take care.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> --le
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Dan"
>>>>>>>>>>>>> To:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 12:26 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I am a totally blind person who has been successfully
>>>>>>>>>>>>> using an
>>>>>>>>>>>>> electric wheelchair for over a year.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a Jazzy-610 with a PG VSI 50 Amp controller
>>>>>>>>>>>>> mounted on
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> left arm rest. This is a Center-wheel drive with Active
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Track
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Suspension and I absolutely love the Six-Wheels on the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ground at
>>>>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>>>>> times. It really does give me tremendous stability.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I didn't need Rehab Seating. However I do have a High-
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Backed
>>>>>>>>>>>>> seat
>>>>>>>>>>>>> with a Headrest and it also Reclines.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> While I can still walk some, I feel much safer in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> wheelchair.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> For guidance I use an extremely lightweight carbon fiber
>>>>>>>>>>>>> folding
>>>>>>>>>>>>> cane with a roller tip and it works great.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> ---------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>> Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving
>>>>>>>>>>>> junk
>>>>>>>>>>>> email the
>>>>>>>>>>>> boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>>>>>> -----------
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>>>>>> -----------
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>>>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>>>>>>>>> Version: 7.5.476 still Virus Database: 269.10.19/917 --
>>>>>>>>>>> Release
>>>>>>>>>>> Date:
>>>>>>>>>>> 7/25/2007
>>>>>>>>>>> 1:16 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> ---------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on
>>>>>>>>>>> the web
>>>>>>>>>>> and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now!
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>>>>> ----------
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>>>>> ----------
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>>>>>>>> Version: 7.5.476 still Virus Database: 269.10.19/917 --
>>>>>>>>>> Release
>>>>>>>>>> Date:
>>>>>>>>>> 7/25/2007
>>>>>>>>>> 1:16 AM
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dar
>>>>>>>> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
>>>>>>>> every saint has a past
>>>>>>>> every sinner has a future
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Message: 4
>>>>>> Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:37:29 +0200
>>>>>> From: "Petra van Driel" <nieuws at challenge-media.com>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] On driving lessons, was, RE: hello.
>>>>>> To: "'Blind wheelchair users list'" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Message-ID: <HPSMTP-EML054VsA6Xk00021829 at hpsmtp-
>>>>>> eml05.kpnxchange.com>
>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Dan,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What's a center-wheel drive? Is that the newer 6 wheel kind of
>>>>>> chair? And
>>>>>> what's the difference between such a chair and a standard one?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best regards Petra
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Message: 5
>>>>>> Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 09:14:10 -0700
>>>>>> From: Dan <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] On driving lessons, was, RE: hello.
>>>>>> To: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Message-ID: <DD2DC508-02AB-4F3F-8051-4FEA980D177D at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes;
>>>>>> format=flowed
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello Petra,
>>>>>> You are correct. A center-wheel chair means that the middle
>>>>>> wheels
>>>>>> are the drive wheels. It also has rear casters and front anti-tip
>>>>>> casters. All the casters are able to swivel. The front casters
>>>>>> are
>>>>>> part of a suspension system. On my chair, as the surface in
>>>>>> front of
>>>>>> me changes the two front casters and both motors adjust for the
>>>>>> ground differentials. This means that all six wheels are
>>>>>> firmly on
>>>>>> the ground at all times. The rear casters are on a heavy bar that
>>>>>> also swivels some to adjust for balance at the center line of the
>>>>>> chair. My drive wheels are 10 inch foam-filled tires not
>>>>>> pneumatic
>>>>>> tires. The rear casters are 6 inch spherical in shape. The front
>>>>>> casters are 5 inch spherical casters. This makes it much
>>>>>> easier for
>>>>>> traversing low curbs. My chair has a 2 inch ground clearance some
>>>>>> have 3 or more inches of clearance. There are many different
>>>>>> configurations of wheels and casters from different
>>>>>> manufacturers.
>>>>>> While my chair is equipped with 10 inch drive wheels, some power
>>>>>> chairs have 12, 14, or 16 inch drive wheels. and the casters are
>>>>>> matched accordingly.
>>>>>> Also, you can have front-wheel drive which is usually a 4 wheel
>>>>>> setup. And of course there is rear-wheel drive as well. The power
>>>>>> chairs that I evaluated were front-wheel and center-wheel
>>>>>> units. I
>>>>>> didn't evaluate rear-wheel drive.
>>>>>> I hope this explains what you are asking.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jul 27, 2007, at 8:37 AM, Petra van Driel wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Dan,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What's a center-wheel drive? Is that the newer 6 wheel kind of
>>>>>>> chair? And
>>>>>>> what's the difference between such a chair and a standard one?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Best regards Petra
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> End of Blind-rollers Digest, Vol 1, Issue 9
>>>>>> *******************************************
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>>>> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date:
>>>>>> 8/1/2007
>>>>>> 4:53 PM
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Blind-rollers mailing list
>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>
> _______________________________________________
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> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
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