Archive for July, 2009
While many people think they understand the challenges of being disabled, the experience is very different when you actually live it. Someone who is on crutches or in a wheelchair for the first time quickly realizes that communities and buildings are planned and constructed under the assumption that most people are physically able to navigate them. For every door that opens automatically or with the push of a button, there are 10 more that do not. A person who needs assistance with basic tasks because of a disability can feel helpless and embarrassed.
Some challenges that confront people with disabilities, especially those who use manual wheelchairs, are nearly invisible to able people, like how difficult it can be to navigate up a steep ramp while powering the wheels by hand. For this reason, electric wheelchairs are not just luxuries; they’re necessary for some people to live fulfilled lives that are not ruled by their disabilities. If you’re a caregiver or friend of someone who has a disability, take a moment to understand what it would feel like to be immobile or dependant on someone or something else to get around. This will help you be a more patient, thoughtful caregiver, and it will also empower you to advocate for your friend to have the proper tools needed to offset his or her disability.
According to the National Safety Council, more than 400 people drown in bathtubs each year. Even more injure themselves by slipping and falling in the tub. This is especially a concern for older adults who have trouble maintaining their balance on slick tub floors. The time most people are prone to slipping is while entering or exiting the tub, when they have only one foot on the ground. Tub transfer benches are enormously helpful for preventing falls; they fit over the edge of the tub and have legs both inside and out of the tub. This allows you to sit on the bench and slide across until you are safely inside the tub.
While tub transfer benches are key for safety, there are several more tips to prevent falls in the tub. First, install a non-slip bath mat inside the tub to get rid of slick surfaces. Allow plenty of time for your bath or shower so you don’t rush and slip. Always be aware of where your feet are so you can maintain your balance; keeping two feet on the ground at all times will help minimize falls. If you’re still wary of falling, ask a friend or family member to stay within voice distance of the bathroom while you bathe. That way they can assist you if you need to call out for help. These precautions and tools can help you enjoy showers and baths without fear of falling.
My Amigo seat seems to be loose. What should I do?
Check your upper seat post by removing the seat and turning it upside down. Inspect the seat post for cracks or other signs of wear and tear at the spot it is welded to the plate under the seat. If a crack is found, you will need to have the upper seat post replaced.
Make sure the bolts attaching the upper seat post to the seat are tightened.
Lastly, if the seat post looks good, put the seat back on the seat post and check the seat lock adjustment. Loosen nut on the tension adjusting screw by turning the screw in quarter turns for more tension. Lock your seat, checking the tension. When it locks and holds the way you prefer, retighten the nut. Caution: Be careful not to move the screw.
For service support, please contact Amigo’s service team at 1-800-248-9131 or e-mail at service@myamigo.com.
Keeping our independence is key to having a more productive life. Powered wheel chairs can be very powerful and make moving about easy. The newer models all use captain’s chairs which provide more comfort and easier steering then the traditional models. Wheel chairs should only be used indoors and can have a very tight turning radius making them very manoeuvrable. The speed of the wheel chair models will vary and can reach speeds of around 20 to 25 mph.
As it relates to traveling to work, school or otherwise, a person who needs a motorized wheelchair and also needs to pack their wheelchair frequently for travel can find a convenient solution in a folding power wheelchair or scooter.