greg-sealey
Forum Replies Created
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I use a lap belt that comes with the wheelchair. That is solely for security though. I also use a Velcro strap around my lower chest and abdomen area. This helps keep me from falling forward to far. I have the lateral supports along both of my ribs under my arms. This keeps me from falling left or right. I also use a headrest when needed (usually when I’m outside the house). The headrest simply provides security and prevents me from falling backwards to far when I am in my van or on rough terrain.
I have used a Velcro chest trap for many years and have never had any skin issues.
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Yes. I finally had to convert to a micro joystick and a tray to rest my hand on. Now my hand remains stable. I just have my thumb resting on top of the tiny joystick that requires almost no force to use.
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Where’s the link to the video?
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I’m reading, “The Choice: Embrace the Possible.” It’s an excellent book about the life of Edith Egar, a Holocaust survivor. There are many inspiring quotes throughout the book. Here’s a favorite of mine, “Survivors don’t have time to ask, “Why me?” For survivors, the only relevant question is, “What now?”
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Congratulations DeAnn. I know the journey is long. You mentioned that you hated mid-wheel drive chairs. I was wondering why. I went from rear wheel drive to mid-wheel a few chairs ago and have loved it. To me, in my experience, mid-wheels are the most maneuverable and can negotiate tight turns better than either rear or front-wheel drive chairs. I tried a front-wheel drive chair once and agree with you about the “fish tail” sensation. I’m sure that gets better though over time.
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Glad to hear you got the hand warmer. Mine has been a huge help.
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The first one (3 chairs ago), yes. Insurance deemed it unnecessary for daily living. But, my last 2 chairs with elevators were approved by insurance (one was private Insurance, the second was Medicare).
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My experience is that Insurance typically denies coverage initially. Your doctor then appeals. Insurance usually then approves.
Even with approval, your out-of-pocket/copay may still be astronomical. No worries though, Genentech can connect you with copay assistance providers, if needed. This may bring your actual copay to $0, or nearly $0.
Get to know your PAL at Genentech. They will be a tremendous help in this somewhat scary process.
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Hi DeeAnn,
Switches seem to be a necessary part of mobility living. For me, I have limited strength and limited range of motion. So, I need switches close to my joystick so I can reach them without moving my hand. I have 2 physical switches on my chair (Quantum Edge-3). One switch turns my chair on and off as well as toggles through the four modes of the chair. The second switch is unique in that through that one button I am able to control my phone, my hand warmer, and the headlights and taillights on my chair.
Yes, a switch can be used to control a laptop. For Apple products (iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro) there is a feature Calle Switch Control. A switch (button) on your wheelchair can be attached to a Bluetooth controller that is paired with your laptop. With Switch Control enabled, you can do nearly anything on a laptop by simply pressing the button.
There are really endless types of buttons available. Here’s a link to an Australian website that gives a good overview of what’s out there: http://www.tecsol.com.au/SwitchMicrolight.htm
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I have had good success with Ram Mounts. They are very capable and offer so many configuration options to meet your specific needs. Check it out: https://www.rammount.com/consumer/at-home/accessibility
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Yes, you absolutely can have a full and meaningful career while living with a Disability.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>The first key step is to have a strong desire to do so.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>Sure, there are more hurdles to cross than most others have to deal with.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>I was fortunate to be able to be mainstreamed most of my grade school years.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>This exposed me to the world and lit a desire in me to participate as much as possible in that new world.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>I am now retired, but worked my whole career in the IT industry after getting my degree in Information Systems Technology.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>The first half of my career was spent in a few small companies as a software engineer.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>Then I began working for Home Depot in their IT Department.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>I started as a Software Engineer there as well.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>While working there I also worked on my Masters Degree in IT Management.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>This helped me grow my career into management where I served in the roll as Senior Manager over a group of 30 people responsible for many multi-million dollar projects.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>
I have found most companies are willing to make accommodations for you in order for you to succeed. This is especially true for Home Depot.<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>Co-workers are also willing to help whenever needed. <span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>
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Hi, I just upgraded earlier this year. I went with the Pride Mobility Quantum Q6 Edge 3. From initial meeting until delivery to me was about 6 months. Even then it took another month or two to refine all of the adjustments. So, don’t plan to give up on your old chair for a while.
I made some changes in my new chair’s configuration compared to my old chair due to the progression of my SMA over the years. I converted from the standard joystick to to the Mo-Vis Micro joystick. This new joystick requires almost no force to drive (8.5gf compared to 250gf for a standard joystick). Needless to say, driving my chair is a breeze now.
I also added the Mo-Vis hand warmer. I’m not sure if any of you have the same problem. But, my hands get cold easily. And, when they do, I loose what little strength I have, making driving the chair next to impossible. The hand warmer has be a terrific add to my configuration, enabling warm air to be blown on my hand at the press of a button.
The third addition is the most helpful of all. On my old chair, I needed 3 buttons in extremely close proximity to my hand in order to control my chair. One button was needed to turn the chair on/off. A second one was needed to change the modes on the chair. The third was needed to control a bluetooth switch for my phone. With the new hand warmer on the new chair a forth switch would potentially be needed. Also, the Quantum QS Edge 3 comes standard with headlights and taillights. So, potentially a fifth switch would be needed to control the lights. With limited range of motion in my hand, I couldn’t see how I could place up to five switches close enough together for me to use. Besides that, it would have become a tangled mess of wires running all around my hand, much like a bowl full of spaghetti.
So, I found another device from Mo-Vis called a Multi-Switch. The Multi-Switch can be configured to allow one switch to control up to four different devices. This has been an incredible help to me. I highly recommend it if you are experiencing similar problems needing to navigate through too many switches on your chair.
Mo-Vis (http://www.mo-vis.com/en) is a Belgium based company. Their products are distributed here in the US by Stealth Products (https://stealthproducts.com). They will work on all of the major wheelchair brands (Pride, Invacare, and Permobil). I will say that the Multi-Switch is not currently listed by Stealth in their product offerings. I worked with Stealth to become their evaluator of the Multi-Switch before they offer it across the country. I have given it glowing reviews. They should be adding it to their product offerings soon. Your ATP should have an account rep with Stealth that he/she works with regularly to find out more about these three products.
Let me know if you want to know more.
Life is Good,
Greg
gregsealey.com -
Either will probably meet the need. But, I believe iPhone is truly the best solution for anyone needing Assistive controls. Apple seems to truly have a keen eye on building their products to help the disabled community. Checkout this video from Apple marketing the upcoming release of iOS and MacOS for their iPhones, iPads, and MacBook computers that will include a feature called VoiceOver. If you also want seamless integration between you phone and laptop, then Apple products are the best choice, hands down.
Life is Good,
Greg
GregSealey.com -
I have not seen that one before. But, based on the picture, it is definitely aesthetically pleasing. The large wheels may make it difficult to negotiate tight spaces. I have used the Invacare Mariner Shower Chair for many years. It folds up easily and travels well. http://www.invacare.com/cgi-bin/imhqprd/inv_catalog/prod_cat_detail.jsp?s=0&prodID=6891&catOID=-536885317