[Blind-rollers] Just wanted to say Hello

[Laura Eaves]

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, *very* 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" <freespirit328 at gmail.com>
To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
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" <leaves1 at carolina.rr.com>
To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
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" <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
> To: <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
> 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
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