[Blind-rollers] hello.

dmgina dmgina at qwest.net
Thu Jul 26 20:22:19 CDT 2007 

Now that would scare me, and I know with the talent I have huh,
I would have tipped over.
Thanks so much for sharing.

--Dar
www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
Every Saint has a past
Every Sinner has a future

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jennifer Aberdeen" <freespirit328 at gmail.com>
To: "Blind wheelchair users list" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] hello.


> 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
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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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>>
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