[Blind-rollers] Hello!

[Sasha Ayres]

Hello!

I've just joined this list and want to say hello to
you all and to introduce myself.  My name's Sasha and
I live in the UK.  I'm deafblind and use a power chair
with a cane.  Or, at least I do when I can.  Sometimes
I don't have the strength in my arm to use a cane in
which case I just go for it and hope.

I'm very glad to have found this list because blind
wheelchair users do have so many unique challenges.  I
had to fight with my local wheelchair service for
years before they'd let me use a power chair.  They
said it was not safe for a blind person to use one. 
Silly, as I couldn't use a manual really at all.  And,
surely it's easier to use a cane with a power chair
than with a manual one anyway.  Or am I wrong?

Actually I would be interested to know how people do
manage using manual chairs with canes.  I have a
friend who has severe difficulty walking and is
looking at getting a wheelchair for longer distances. 
She can't afford a power chair and because she can
walk short distances isn't eligible for any financial
assistance with it.  So she's looking at manuals.  Do
people use one arm drive mechanisms to push with one
hand and then use the cane in the other?  How do
people get on with one arm drive?  Is there another
way of doing it?  I'm sure she'd appreciate any tips.

Well I've rambled on so will stop now but glad to have
found this group and look forward to hearing from you
all.

Sasha


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