[Blind-rollers] Power wheelchairs

[AgapeDEW at aol.com]

A mobility specialist is very effective to help teach a person in a  
wheelchair with visual challenges learn to scope out using a guided cane with a  ball 
roller.  These are available here in Texas area contracted by the  blind 
association (free to blind or low vision clients) through a private  organization 
called Dallas Lighthouse for Blind.  She taught me how to use  my white cane 
with a ball to establish my perimeters and keep track of the  surface and 
obstructions that may be placed in front of me.  She taught me  to rely on "points" 
in which I can get my bearings on where I am on a campus or  store.  For 
example, my campus directions are all around an egress of a  ramp so I know where 
all my campus buildings are.  She taught me to use the  area between thumb and 
pointer finger at the base to hold the controller.   Never use the higher 
speeds in unfamiliar areas or highly populated areas.   She taught my family to be 
"guides" in areas that the cane would not be  feasible.  I am even going 
through airport security and travel alone with  my guided cane. She taught me how 
to load the chair forward on transit and turn  into the area in which to get 
secured in by security straps.  This meant  riding along and networking with 
the local transit service. I got my chair in  Nov 2007 and am now breezing along 
any place I go.  The wheels are  different then the scooter I used before 
because they have to line up to work  correctly and be able to pivot like they 
do.  I had problem with a small 2  inch lip on my doorstep.  We figured out that 
two thick matted outdoor rugs  allowed me to transition into the house 
without expensive conversions.  I  also modified my house to allow free access of 
the chair to pivot easily without  playing bumper cars with the furniture.  That 
was a denial on my part to  have everything status quo of before I lost 
vision and got MS.  My ramp was  built by my church and must have a lip on both 
sides for the cane to be able to  feel the perimeters for the chair to navigate.  
A arm rail on one side also  is great because at times the chair does have 
traction problems which can  be eliminated by non skid strips I can purchase at 
home improvement  store.  A mobility specialist can show you in your house 
what barriers  are causing you difficulty and why.  She actually got into my 
chair and  rode through my home and showed me...it was not me..it was the floor  
surface in my home.  We are now replacing the floor with the help of  another 
state agency in which she was instrumental in advocating for  financial 
assistance for us to get this floor.  Our church is putting the  floor in.  REACH OUT 
and get the help you need.  That is how you gain  skill and confidence....by 
using your resources available.  DEB aka  agapedew at aol.com 



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A mobility specialist is very effective to help teach a person in a wheelchair with visual challenges learn to scope out using a guided cane with a ball roller.  These are available here in Texas area contracted by the blind association (free to blind or low vision clients) through a private organization called Dallas Lighthouse for Blind.  She taught me how to use my white cane with a ball to establish my perimeters and keep track of the surface and obstructions that may be placed in front of me.  She taught me to rely on "points" in which I can get my bearings on where I am on a campus or store.  For example, my campus directions are all around an egress of a ramp so I know where all my campus buildings are.  She taught me to use the area between thumb and pointer finger at the base to hold the controller.  Never use the higher speeds in unfamiliar areas or highly populated areas.  She taught my family to be "guides" in areas that the cane would not be feasible.  I am even going through airport security and travel alone with my guided cane. She taught me how to load the chair forward on transit and turn into the area in which to get secured in by security straps.  This meant riding along and networking with the local transit service. I got my chair in Nov 2007 and am now breezing along any place I go.  The wheels are different then the scooter I used before because they have to line up to work correctly and be able to pivot like they do.  I had problem with a small 2 inch lip on my doorstep.  We figured out that two thick matted outdoor rugs allowed me to transition into the house without expensive conversions.  I also modified my house to allow free access of the chair to pivot easily without playing bumper cars with the furniture.  That was a denial on my part to have everything status quo of before I lost vision and got MS.  My ramp was built by my church and must have a lip on both sides for the cane to be able to feel the perimeters for the chair to navigate.  A arm rail on one side also is great because at times the chair does have traction problems which can be eliminated by non skid strips I can purchase at home improvement store.  A mobility specialist can show you in your house what barriers are causing you difficulty and why.  She actually got into my chair and rode through my home and showed me...it was not me..it was the floor surface in my home.  We are now replacing the floor with the help of another state agency in which she was instrumental in advocating for financial assistance for us to get this floor.  Our church is putting the floor in.  REACH OUT and get the help you need.  That is how you gain skill and confidence....by using your resources available.  DEB aka agapedew at aol.com 
Planning your summer road trip? Check out http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016 AOL Travel Guides
.