[Blind-rollers] hello.

Thu Jul 26 16:14:39 CDT 2007

Hi Dar,

I have had experience getting down a curb...well when I had sight.

Basically I would down it back wards. I had to line my back wheels up with 
the curb and then just push my chair back off the curb quickly. My chair 
(manual) always landed on the ground ok without tipping over or anything. I 
don't know how someone would do that with a power chair though, sighted or 
not. To be honest though, I never liked backing off a curb and always looked 
for the declines in the sidewalk.

Jen
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "dmgina" <dmgina at qwest.net>
To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] hello.

> Hi Dan,
> I want to learn as much as I can.
> I still don't know how you folks know what to do if you have an area that
> has a step down curb.
> You go up to the curb and back to the alley?
> am I correct on this one?
> but I would be afraid I would hit my face going on the side of the curb, 
> and
> I would be afraid to be in the street.
> I want to learn as much as I can, so if I am with the same situation I 
> know
> I can still travel.
> I also would like to see the list encourage the Medical.
> But to make sure you can control your chair down a hill.
> things like this.
> Thanks,
>
> --Dar
> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
> Every Saint has a past
> Every Sinner has a future
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dan" <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 2:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] hello.
>
>
>> Hello Dar,
>> This is Dan.
>> I know that some people like going really fast and that's OK.
>> Personally, my chair does just under 4 MPH and that's about as fast
>> as I normally walked while using a cane before switching to the
>> wheelchair. I am happy at this speed. No it's not the 11 MPH that
>> some units can run at, but it works for me.
>> However, having said that, sometimes I wish it ran around 5 MPH when
>> crossing streets. But even at that things have worked real well for me.
>> You know, it's really interesting to read about and discuss all the
>> different things that those of us who use wheelchairs face every day.
>> Also, in time, I hope this list will really prove to be a good place
>> for tips and other worthwhile advice.
>> One other thing that I would like to say is this. Contrary to what
>> some might think, and that includes professionals in the field, blind
>> people really can successfully use wheelchairs and it really helps us
>> just as much as it'd help any other person needing a manual or power
>> chair.
>> I bring this up because one professional told me in no uncertain
>> terms that a blind person should never be allowed to use a wheelchair
>> without sighted assistance. Well, several times in the last year,
>> I've had occasion to be in the same building where this professional
>> works. A few weeks ago, she finally said to me, "I guess it really
>> can be done."
>> That's enough of my rambling for now.
>> Dan
>> On Jul 26, 2007, at 10:18 AM, dmgina wrote:
>>
>>> Hi this is Dar,
>>> I use a walking cane with my guide dog.
>>> Did this off and on for years.
>>> Now it is on again.
>>> Dealing with vertigo, as well as falling from time to time, I felt
>>> it better
>>> to do the cane.
>>> I admire that you want to go this fast in your chair.
>>> Do you live in an area where you have only ramp curbs?
>>>
>>> --Dar
>>> www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
>>> Every Saint has a past
>>> Every Sinner has a future
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Carrie Ann Lucas" <clucas at disabilitypride.com>
>>> To: "'Blind wheelchair users list'" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:28 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] hello.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hello all,
>>>>
>>>> Right now, about half the time, and when it is light, I have
>>>> enough vision
>>>> to navigate without my cane in familiar territory.  I use my cane in
>>>> unfamiliar territory, and in the dark.  At times my vision is
>>>> little more
>>>> than light and movement perception, and I have a much harder time in
>>>> unfamiliar territory during those times.  The rest of the time I
>>>> can see
>>>> some in good light.
>>>>
>>>> I use a 21st Century Scientific Bounder chair, which is rear wheel
>>>> drive
>>>> and
>>>> built like a tank.  I used to have my chair set VERY fast, 11 mph
>>>> or so.
>>>> Now I run at 6 - 6.5 mph top speed.  I use a telescoping cane with
>>>> a metal
>>>> tip.  I stabbed myself in the stomach too many times with a
>>>> folding cane.
>>>> If the cane catches and I can't stop in time, this one just
>>>> telescopes
>>>> onto
>>>> itself, rather than stabbing me or breaking.  My problem is that a
>>>> lot of
>>>> times I then drop my cane, and I can't always find it.
>>>>
>>>> As for how I navigate, I just use my cane.  I do rely a great deal
>>>> on my
>>>> residual vision, especially for crossing streets, except in those
>>>> areas
>>>> where I am lucky enough to have vibrotactle pedestrian signals.
>>>>
>>>> I have a progressive neuromuscular disease, and don't have the arm
>>>> function
>>>> to use a manual chair.  My vision, hearing and mobility issues are
>>>> all
>>>> unrelated, I just hit some weird genetic jackpot, but all my kids
>>>> were
>>>> adopted, so their disabilities are also unrelated (the oldest has a
>>>> genetic
>>>> syndrome, one was a micro-preemie and now has cerebral palsy, and the
>>>> other's disabilities are the result of abuse and neglect).
>>>>
>>>> Carrie
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> Hi Carrie --
>>>> Wow, you do have the load of challenges!  I am not deaf but do need
>>>> hearing
>>>> aids as my hearing is 50% without them, but my vision is down to
>>>> light and
>>>> color perception nowadays.  I ask you the same question I asked
>>>> Dan -- how
>>>> on earth do you use a power chair to navigate, especially in
>>>> unfamiliar
>>>> territory? Or do you avoid unfamiliar terrain without a travel
>>>> companion?
>>>> Great that you're working.  Sorry to hear your children have to
>>>> battle
>>>> some
>>>> of the same challenges.  That is one reason I never had kids --
>>>> not that I
>>>> judge anyone who does have them, but I was afraid of passing along
>>>> those
>>>> annoying little genes that have caused me so much trouble...
>>>> But I'm a very proud and doting aunt...
>>>> I should probably introduce myself -- I am a computer programmer --
>>>> degrees
>>>> in math and computer science -- who worked 12 years after grad
>>>> school and
>>>> then had to go on disability due to a "perfect storm" of setbacks.
>>>> I have been home now for about 10 years but keeping busy with various
>>>> things
>>>> and trying to find useful ways of spending my time.
>>>> My employer's disability insurance made it possible to get by without
>>>> working for a while -- I live with Mom. We are a team.  She takes
>>>> care of
>>>> the house, and when I was working I paid all the bills, but now
>>>> she and I
>>>> share the finances.  She is 83. I will be 50 this year.
>>>> I keep my ear to the job opportunities out there, but have been
>>>> spending
>>>> my
>>>> time in volunteer activities and projects for the time being.
>>>> Well, hope to hear more from you as it sounds like you'd have a
>>>> lot of
>>>> interesting things to share.
>>>> Take care.
>>>> --le
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>> 1:16 AM
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>>>>
>>>
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>>
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>>
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>
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