How to Choose a Wheelchair

https://youtu.be/Xc1aDJgdzzk

Published on Aug 12, 2013

Welcome to Episode 1 of a How To video series presented by NCHPAD with the help of Mary Allison Cook, a wheelchair user for the past 23 years. She will lead us through a number of How To's for the wheelchair user. In this video you will learn the important aspects of how to choose a wheelchair that is right for you.

New York City to update symbol

New York City to adopt new updated symbol
(Courtesy:  accessibleicon.org)

Wednesday's Rant

Whee goes my chair

Health I am grateful for

Energy to propel my body

Enough my muscles ache

Laughing with my daughter as I "crash and burn"

So thankful for my life!

WHEELING Downtown Verifiable Evidence

Harper's Magazine, January 2015, "Easy Chair, Universal Use" John Crowley

EPSOM SALTS NEEDED!

Epsom salts were my best friend Wednesday night!  My trip downtown made me thankful that I was not having to rely on a wheelchair to get around.  I appreciate the opportunity to explore the streets of Moscow, Idaho, by wheelchair in good weather.  It would have been harder in snow and ice, too.

It took my daughter and I a few tries to work out a system for moving without crashing.  We practiced the brakes, and used the wheels for turning right or left.  Practice before taking off is my "motto."  I found out the hard way as we crossed the streets and maneuvered the sidewalks.

My perspective has changed.  I now have a better idea of having to travel by a manual wheelchair.  The sidewalks have cracks, breaks, drainages, unevenness, and are hard to go from the parking lot onto the concrete.  The parking lot near the city which is a nice one is hilly, and I had a hard time getting on to the sidewalk.  The transition was horrible.  There was a 2+" ridge that prevented me from going from parking lot to sidewalk.

Most people on the sidewalks were friendly and considerate.  My backpack was hung over the back of the chair so I would not have to carry it on my lap.  There was a gentlemen who kept creeping closer to us as if he wanted to grab my bag.  I told my daughter to stay close, and to keep an eye on him.  He looked as though he wanted to try to grab it.  I thought to myself, "how sad."  We stayed alert and moved to another section of the sidewalk.

I realized that you have to move quickly across the road.  The countdown is fast, and it takes awhile to safely get through the crosswalks.  Tip:  make sure the wheels hit the yellow "bumpy" portion of  the crossing; otherwise, you may get hurt.

It would be nice if all the businesses downtown have a button for wheelchair access.  I had a partner, but if you were solo it would make it difficult to enter businesses throughout town.  I may go and speak to the mayor about the issue.

DOWNTOWN REVIEW

Bucers

Where is the wheelchair button?  none

Don't come in the front!  Hard to push wheelchair over the doorway obstacle

Ramp location is the back alley & there was a doorway obstacle

Lighting - dark so hard to see 

Narrow aisles - can run into customers

front to back - divider on the floor was hard to "wheel over"

Staff:  friendly, good eye contact, offered us water to drink

NIAC

Where is the wheelchair button?  none

Entryway - easy to enter

Tour guide - excellent explanations

Access to 2nd floor for spin cycles - no elevator only stairs

Staff:  friendly, good eye contact, answered my questions

Hyperspud

Where is the wheelchair button?  none

 Front entryway - hard to "wheel" up small ramp & access store

Upstairs - access by stairs

Staff:  Jade answered my running questions and directed me to White Pines

 (across the street for the 2nd hand items); good eye contact

Hodgins Drug & Hobbie

Where is the wheelchair button?  none

Front entry - ramp hard to "wheel" up and over

Downstairs is accessed by stairs so I was not able to find a model, game or train gift

One open main aisle for wheelchairs, walkers, etc.

side toy aisles - blocked

Can't image trying to Christmas shop and the items on top are hard to reach

Staff:  friendly, answered my toy questions, and held the door to exit

Mikey's Gyros

Where is the wheelchair button?  none 

Dark hall for the bathroom

Staff:  friendly, asked if I wanted to take time to eat
did not come over right away to see if I needed anything

Moscow Bagel & Deli

Great access - no wheelchair button

very friendly staff - hard to see me as the counter was a barrier

Moscow Food Coop

very friendly, asked constantly if I needed help while shopping

ramp entry HARD, but did have a button to push to open the door

bathroom stall - easy to get in & out; sink & soap dispenser - good height; 

paper towels - had to reach

Customer Service rep - concerned that the door buttons would be blocked by carts/

info board/baskets so she asked for my input 

Howard Hughes Movies

Where is the wheelchair button?  none

Front entryway - little hard to get over the obstacle

floors easy to move around

small steps throughout the store - hard to get to certain movie sections

staff - great, good eye contact

back entrance - same as front

City Hall

yes - button for entry

ramp - challenge to get up and exit was like an amusement ride!  

ramp was short & fast so need great brakes

Counter for paying bill - great level for a wheelchair

staff - friendly