[Blind-rollers] hello.

dmgina dmgina at qwest.net
Thu Jul 26 23:02:14 CDT 2007 

Hi there,
I would work with my school.
Since they train guide dogs to guide you in the chairs.
They would know how to help me out.
Dar
----- source message -----
from: Dan <JazzyDan at sbcglobal.net>
to: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
date: thursday Jul 26 2007, 18:47:11
subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] hello.

>
>
> Hello,
> Have I ever fell over? In the wheelchair, no. In fact, honestly, I  
> feel so much safer when using the wheelchair than when I'm walking  
> when I can while inside the house. While I was sure the wheelchair  
> would help me, I must say that that is really an understatement. I  
> feel more like getting out now than I have for many years.
> I don't regret having the wheelchair at all.
> In terms of how I do it, I don't really know how to answer that. I  
> guess I decided that I was going to give it everything I could to  
> succeed with the chair. Other than the representative from the  
> company who put the chair together and explained it to me, I never  
> had any formal training. Even the nurse that came to approve my using  
> the chair said that he wouldn't know where to start with teaching a  
> blind person how to use a wheelchair. I just don't know how to  
> explain it to you. I guess that it's one of those things that is  
> understood at a visceral level, I don't know. Several people have  
> asked similar questions and I don't really know how to answer them,  
> other than this. Come along with me for a few blocks and see.
> So Dar, I would really encourage you to look at the situation if you  
> need to. Several of the wheelchair manufacturers and dealers offer  
> free in-home test drives. This might be one way for you to see first  
> hand how you feel about it. Also, perhaps others on the list might be  
> willing to give you some other suggestions on how you might go about  
> looking into it. And I'm sure you're not the only person considering  
> a wheelchair as a possible solution to any problems you might be  
> having. It sure has improved my life!
> HTH,
> Dan
> On Jul 26, 2007, at 6:21 PM, dmgina wrote:
> 
> > Never take it personal,
> > I just want to know how you do it.
> > Have you ever fallen over yet?
> > I hope it doesn't happen.
> >
> > --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 5:26 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] hello.
> >
> >
> >> Hi,
> >> Where I live we have bike paths, sidewalks with curb cuts, in most
> >> places.
> >> Where the bike paths exist, sometimes right along the road, I take
> >> them. Sometimes I use the sidewalks. Other times I trail the edge of
> >> the road in places where there are no walks.
> >> Where I worked, the whole crazy campus was on nothing but hills and I
> >> do mean hills. I was able to safely control the wheelchair both on
> >> going up or down hills. This was also one of the reasons my doctor
> >> thought a power chair would work better than a manual chair. The
> >> biggest problem I faced there was all the new construction and
> >> revamping of older buildings that was and is still going on. For at
> >> least 5 more years.
> >> As far as I'm concerned, I can safely use a chair just about anywhere
> >> my dogs could have safely worked.
> >> Later,
> >> Dan
> >> On Jul 26, 2007, at 2:01 PM, dmgina wrote:
> >>
> >>> 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
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> ----comOriginal 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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> >>>>>> 7/25/2007
> >>>>>> 1:16 AM
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>>>
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> >>>>
> >>>
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> >>
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> >>
> >>
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> >>
> >>
> >
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Dar
www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/5779
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future

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