Category: Health and Wellness
Hi all,
Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I'll give it a shot.
I'm a wheelchair user, and am wondering if there are any blind people that use power chairs? I currently use a manual, but am wondering how blind people find the experience of using a power chair, any benefits, drawbacks, how is it done? Do you agree with the adage that you can't see, you don't know where you're going as a result, therefore you wouldn't be able to use one? How do you get around this statement and convince people that you can in fact use it even though you can't see?
Thanks, I greatly appreciate it.
Josh
I use one. It's heck, trying to prove it's possible.
I had to figure it out on my own, at first. However, the manual chairs, no matter how I tried, were awful with hills. When my doctor saw I was learning with donation chairs, she insisted that I get one through insurance. They want to see how you do, for sure.
Now, to address the cane:
The chair needs only one hand to operate. I use the sliding method, so my tip doesn't leave the ground. The trick, is you need a long cane. It will take time to get used to.
I think, but am not sure, one of the centers trains for wheelchairs that are power. I am not sure which it is, and if the rumor is true.
Have you ever tried using a power wheelchair, before? I also know another blind person that uses one. I find it frees me to do other things, but the power wheelchair has lots of energy, and takes getting used to.
As to the best one, Pride offers "The Foot Blate," as apposed to the leg-and-foot rest. Footplates are better. You just fold them up, and they are out of the way. And they are easy to bring back down.
Next time you are on, and I am, I will PQN my number. I want to help you, any way I can.
Take care, till we can talk. I'lll be out here, when I can. Hope we can talk soon.
Blessings,
Sarah
I'm not a wheelchair user but I have seen it.
I was working an event in our community and a guy came up to my station, wheeling with the motorized wheelchair, and tapping with his cane. As he put it, you just "Use one hand for the controls, and the other to do your tappin'."
This guy said he hadn't been blind very long. And yet he was doing it. So looks like you're in luck, though it seems like it would be tricky.
It's Medicaid that freaks out. Trust me. I must Video all the time, when I resubmit, for each chair.
Only problem, was a bad doctor. He was subsequently urm, not working where I see doctors, now. He needs a brain, but, he will get what he deserves.
GTG.
TTFN!
Blessings,
The girl with no sight, who do just fine!
Hi all,
Wasn't getting updates for this post, sorry for late reply...
So it is at least possible. Yes it would be good to talk to someone that knows a bit more about it than I. I do have a friend that uses one but she's sighted. No, I personally never have used one.
Hot Wheels I'll PM you or something and see about updating my email here as I think that might be part of the problem. Anyone with more input is always welcome. Thanks!
Best,
Josh