Category Archives: wheelchairs

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January 28, 2012

Home > Season for Caring > Archives > 2012 > January > 11 > Entry

Victor Hutchinson, 47, got the biggest gift he could imagine: an ultralight competition wheelchair. Hutchinson, who has had kidney failure since he was a college freshman and has been in a wheelchair since 2006, would love to race in the Statesman Capitol 10,000. He’d like a gym membership, an iPod and athletic gear. Readers have made his life easier with a lift chair and an adjustable bed. He still needs a walk-in shower. Donated airline miles are being evaluated to see if he can use them to visit his family. Dentist Michael Lessner has agreed to see him. Hutchinson would like a new or refurbished 150cc scooter, special transit service tickets, an ionizing air filter, gift cards for clothing, pots and pans, cable service and an electronic drum kit. Nominated by Foundation Communities, 610-4020.

The season is not over. Donations will be accepted through Jan. 31, either online at statesman.com/go/seasonforcaring or by mail with the coupon in the paper. Giving a monetary donation not only helps the 10 featured families but also helps hundreds of other families with such necessities as food, rent, utilities and medical care all year through the 10 nonprofit agencies that nominated the featured families.

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Pediatric Wheelchair

November 24, 2011

Kids with disabilities and debilitating ailments need not be deprived of the normal joys of childhood if you will be able to wisely choose a pediatric wheelchair to enhance their mobility. however, choosing the right one would entail looking into a spectrum of issues and the different variable that come into play in the use of pediatric wheelchair. The primary consideration would be transportation. While there are a lot of kids who greatly favor the use of power chairs, unless the issue on transportation can be resolved, this should not be considered as the ultimate solution.

The care for a disabled child may include carrying and transferring him from one chair to another, which can advertently cause strain and damage on his back and yours too. The remedy to this dilemma would be to choose a lightweight pediatric wheelchair with a detachable hardware. other issues that need to be taken into account are the lifestyle and environment. ask yourself if the wheelchair you are contemplating on purchasing would be suitable for school setting and would it be able to meet the requirements the doctors have set for his particular case. The practical choice would be to choose a pediatric wheelchair that grows with your child or the one size fits all variety. There are a lot of wheelchairs available in the market today that are expandable to accommodate added weight and bulk. this can be done by simply altering the cross balance found at the bottom of the chair. if it needs to be lengthened, other wheelchairs allow you the option to replace the front frame that holds the support for the legs. By deftly considering all this aspects, you are looking forward to a well-chosen investment that can last on an average of 10-12 years of use.

Of course, you also need to consider the comfort of your child. Choose cushions that are not too soft or coarse for your child to be able to sit comfortably in extended periods of time. The rule of the thumb here is to choose one than does not take up no more than three fingers worth on room. this is quite an important factor since choosing a wrong seat will make sitting a little awkward for your child and choosing a thinner cushion will not adequately provide the required support for the leg.

When looking through a number of pediatric wheelchairs, choose a footrest that is low enough to allow the seat to have full contact with the whole thigh. as you can see, there are actually more factors to consider than one would normally anticipate in buying a wheelchair for your child. Instead of merely settling on the most expensive one you can find, go to such length as to checking every aspect before actually making the investment. after all, this is your child’s welfare at stake here and you would naturally want to provide him the very best you can afford.

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Is it easier for someone disabled to have section 8 on get an apartment?

September 12, 2011

i am wheelchair bound and cant do to much for myself. i have a boyfriend and a daughter and we want our own place to live instead of with my mom. i get ssi and im 18 but i never see any cent of it. is there any chance that i can apply for section 8 or some type of housing so it can be less rent paid and so he can take care of me and the baby in our own place. we want to move because my mom constantly tell us what to do like the baby is hers and like we're stupid and im very intellegent and hes smarter than me. i just need to know if i can get assistance fast because im disabled and how to find an apartment or a room thats big enough for a bed, play pen/crib, two wheelchairs, carriage and carrier, not to mention three bags of clothes, and other small things. please i need help because all my life i've dreamed of living on my own without my mom or people saying i cant do it because im disabled. i already go my one dream since i was 12 and thats to have a guy who loves me regardless of what i cant do and to have a child. (he do have a son from another girl a year younger than me but he also wanted a daughter not a son so im happy that i gave him something he wanted like he did for me) i love this guy more than love itself and im doing everything i can to keep him with me and our baby so if someone can help or get helpful adive we would appreciate it greatly, thank you.

Many Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have special Section 8 vouchers, called set-asides, for people with disabilities. Also, many PHAs have preferences for specific categories of eligible individuals. some have preferences for people with disabilities. You should call your local PHA to see if their are any disability set-asides or preferences available in your area. if available, these will speed up the process for getting Section 8 housing.

I live in college dorm. it is ok.

I don't know if the policy differs among different apartments, but the one I lived in gave apartments on a first-come, first-serve basis. the requirement is that you have to be below a certain income level but you also must have some sort of income to prove that you can pay for your utilities and whatever rent they give you (usually rent is very low, mine was $100, and they will count your SSI, student financial aid, family contribution, etc. as income; I had a 1/2 time job and still qualified).

Section 8 is for any low income person, not just disabled people, but if you are physically disabled some complexes may have accessible apartments reserved for only physically disabled residents. this could mean a shorter wait time. Typically you will have to wait quite awhile though. we had to wait 6 months to get a 1 bedroom for two people. some complexes also put families ahead of singles so that could improve your chances as well. if you live in a college town you will have a longer wait.

Here is the link to where you can search for an apartment in your area:
hud.gov/apps/section8/

You should call any eligible complexes in your area and set up a time to fill out an application as soon as possible. once you are approved, they will put you on the waiting list and call you when they have a vacancy.

You should be aware when you live in subsidized housing that the rules are different than renting a private residence. They will inspect your home often, and they can do this without your knowledge. Pay attention to whatever rules they tell you because they sometimes have some weird ones (like no furniture in front of windows, no hanging curtains other than the blinds that came with the unit) and they will fine you if you break the rules. They will want you to keep the unit clean and are way more picky than private renters because they have to operate on a tighter budget.

Oh, and when you sign your rental agreement, if you are not married and moving from your parents' residence, you also sign a paper that basically states your parents have no more claim to you as a dependent – can't claim you on their taxes, etc. but, you say you never see a cent of your SSI – if that means your parent is your payee then that could prevent you from getting an aparment of any kind. if you are legally an adult it isn't right of your mom to keep your money.

The qualification is income, meaning .. you must be low-income. Your disability has little if any bearing on you qualifying. so no, being disabled does not make qualifying easier.

edit: why are you thumbing me down? everything I stated is a fact.

Yes many Section 8 apartments and housing give preference to disabled people but only if they are on SSI or SSDI. I know that from experience.

you really need to fidn a PROFESSIONALsupport person

some of your statements are very concerning–you are 18…and seem to be tryign to find teh love you didn't get from your mother…i am concerned taht you got pregnant on purpose —to give him what he wanted….(but he didn't want a son)and this guy is really irresponsible since he alread has anotehr child with an even younger woman–how old were they when tehy got pregnant…

you need to learn to depend on yourslef too–not just teh guy–no matter how much he loves you…

you need to learn to manage your life better to survive—

continuing to stay with your mother is unhealthy–but you haven't learned to amke good choices for yourslef yet..

i am guessing you are unable to take care of yourslef independently–you say you can't do much—who takes care of you now? have you looked into getting home care if you need it

are you planning on job training, are you registered with vocational rehab

you apparently have decent academic skills–why can't you work……do you have limited use of your arms too?

canhe work?

if your mobility limits your job prospects–vocatioanl rehab may pay for college education so you cna get a job (and you can continue to collect SSI while going to college under tehse circumsatnces)

what do you mean you never see a cent of teh money….did your mom get listed as teh payee–you can change that…

in some areas people with disabilities are given priority for section 8—at ;least get on the list…

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Wheelchairs – What Are They and What Types?

August 25, 2011

A lightweight wheelchair is a wheeled mobility device in which the user sits. the wheelchair can be propelled by either manually or via various automated systems( e.g. electric, battery). Wheelchairs are used by people for whom walking has become difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, , or a disability. People with both sitting and walking disability often need to use a wheelbench. the earliest record of the wheelchair in use go back to England dating from the 1670s.

Wheelchair also has another popular use and is a popular drug combination comprising cocaine, ketamine and MDMA.

A basic simple standard manual wheelchair comprises of the following items:

* Seat and back,

* Two small front (caster) wheels and two large wheels, one on each side,

* and a foot rest.

Wheelchairs are often made with various combinations of the basic type, currently there are many types of lightweight wheelchairs, and they come highly customized wheelchairs for the individual user’s needs. the footrests/leg rests,the seat size (width and depth), seat-to-floor height, front caster outriggers, adjustable backrests, controls, and many other features can be customized on, or added to, many basic models, while some users, often those with specialized needs, may have wheelchairs custom-built. there is endless formations and combo’s for a wheelchair.

Various optional accessories are available in the market, adjustable backrests, such as anti-tip bars or wheels, safety belts, tilt and/or recline features,support for limbs, mounts or carrying devices for crutches, walkers or oxygen tanks, drink holders, and clothing protectors.

Experiments have also been made with unusual variant wheels, like the omniwheel or the mecanum wheel. These allow more directional movement options, so technology is continuing to move forward.

Manual wheelchairs are the type that require people to move them, there is three types of manual wheelchairs namely self-propelled, attendant-propelled, and wheelbase. Many manual chairs can be folded wheelchairs for storage or movement into a vehicle.

Manual or self-propelled wheelchairs are propelled by the occupant, be pushing the large wheels at the rear, the chair is moved by pushing on the hand rims which are made of hollow tube attached to the large wheel, typically of a smaller size than the wheel it self. a skilled operator can pull wheelies on the back wheels which is key to climbing down kerbs etc.

Attendant-propelled chairs are designed to be propelled by an care giver or friend who will push the wheelchair using the handles, and thus the back wheels are rimless and often smaller. These chairs are typically used as transfer chairs to move patients around like in hospitals or airports.

Wheelbase chairs are wheeled platforms with specially-molded seating systems interfaced with them for users with a more complicated posture. a molded seating system involves taking a cast of a person’s best achievable seated position and the either carving the shape from memory foam or forming a plastic mesh around it. This seat is then covered, framed, and attached to a wheelbase this becomes more of a custom wheelchair then a standard type.

Light weight and high cost are related in the manual wheelchairs market. At the low-cost end, heavy, tubular steel chairs with sling seats and little adaptability dominate. in a higher price range, and more commonly used by persons with long-term disabilities, are lightweight wheelchairs with more options and the top end of the market contains ultralight wheelchairs which have extensive seating options and accessories, all-terrain features, and so.
Electric Powered Wheelchairs

Three general styles of electric powered chairs are center,rear and front wheel driven. Each style has particular handling characteristics. Electric wheelchairs can also be divided by seat type; some models resemble manual chairs, with a sling-style seat and frame, whereas others have ‘captain’s chair’ seating like that of an automobile.

Electric powered wheelchairs can for indoor and outdoor use and are generally given for people who cant move their own wheelchair. a person with full function of the arms and upper torso will generally be prescribed a manual chair, or find that their insurance will not cover.

Other wheelchair variants

A standing wheelchair is one that supports the user in a standing position. They can be used as both a wheelchair and a standing frame, allowing the user to sit or stand in the wheelchair. They will move from sitting to standing with a hydraulic pump or electric-powered assist.

A mobility scooter is a motorized assist device quite the same as a electric powered wheel chair but with a bar instead of a joystick. Mobility scooters are available from large, powerful models to lightweight folding ones intended for travel use.

A bariatric wheelchair is one designed to support larger weights as most standard wheelchairs are designed to support lesser weights.
Sport wheelchairs

Disabled athletes use streamlined sport wheelchairs for disabled sports that require speed and agility and cant use the typical wheelchair, such as basketball, rugby, tennis and racing. Each wheelchair sport tends to usecustom wheeelchairs that wont be the same between sports. They are usually non-folding to increase its solidity, with a pronounced angle for the wheels which helps its turning and made of special composite, lightweight materials. Sport wheelchairs are not generally for everyday use, and are often a ‘second’ chair specifically for sport use.

This type of wheelchair will allow the users to enter the water and provide a better mobility in the sand. now there is many types of these beach wheelchairs in the market.

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Sorry In advance…… ;-)?

August 16, 2011

You might be a Handicapped Redneck If,,,,

* Any part of your wheelchair is painted cameo.
* You have a wheelchair up on blocks in your front yard.
* You rigged up a beer cooler powered off your chair batteries.
* You wear cowboy, biker, or work boots, even though they're hard to put on and you can't walk anyway.
* You adjusted your headrest so it'll stop knocking off your hat.
* You installed a gun rack on the back of your wheelchair.
* your joystick [which does not live up to its name] is a billiard ball, car stick shift knob, beer. tap, or similar item.
* You ever thought about jacking your chair up 2 or 3 feet.
* You have knobby mud tires – that never get dirty.
* You installed a sound system so your chair will sound like a truck or hog.
* You installed a whip antenna just so you could fly the stars and bars!
* there is a 'Harley' decal or emblem permanently attached to your chair.
* You installed a CB behind or under your chair.
* You replaced your seat with a Barco Lounger.
* You found the above BarcoLounger at the side of the road.
* You named your chair 'Bubba', 'Junior', 'Daisy', or 'Killer'.
* there is some part of a deer decorating any part of your chair.
* You have ever thought about smuggling moonshine in the tubing or battery compartment of the chair.
* You, while in your wheelchair, ever made any roadkill.
* The accessories hangin' on the chair weigh more than 1/3 what your w/c does.
* You browse truck catalogs looking for ways to soup up your wheelchair.
* You want to add a side-car or a 'sweet little trailer'.
* You wear a 4 pound belt buckle that cuts into your stomach as you sit.
* The fringe of your jacket or strings of your bolo tie have ever gotten caught in your wheels – but you wear it anyway.
* You regularly call up Harley Davidson and ask when they're going to start making wheelchairs.
* You have spent more than an hour trying to figure out how to hang fuzzy dice from your chair.
* Duct tape plays a major role in your repair and maintenance plan.
* You read this list and found yourself thinking, at any point, "now that's a good idea!"

So you should be sorry…that´s a lot to wade through but worth it in the end. use the duct tape to add a star…

crude, but I gave you a star anyway.

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Choosing The Right Pediatric Power Wheelchair

August 12, 2011

All children value their freedom, their ability move around in space while experiencing the many wonders of the world. This is as true for those children who can’t walk as it is for those who can. In the past, being confined to a wheelchair was just that . confining. but today, wheelchairs are technologically advanced and sophisticated enough to allow children who are unable to walk a freedom they were never previously able to experience. the right pediatric wheelchair can allow a variety of positions, including sitting, laying and standing so that the user can move around during the day while still remaining comfortable and functional.

Pediatric power wheelchairs are available in the same basic models as other power wheelchairs. There’s the rear-wheel drive, which move fast but can be difficult to maneuver in tight places; the front-wheel drive, which can make sharper turns and runs only slightly slower than the rear-wheel model; and finally, there’s the mid-wheel drive wheelchair, which has the tightest turn capability but can be unsteady in stops and starts.

However, far more important in choosing the right pediatric power wheelchair for your child is how well it serves your child’s needs. the wheelchair should be a single component in a complete support program designed to serve your child’s needs, strengths and environment.

With this in mind, some hospitals and medical centers go through a complete assessment program to determine the best pediatric power wheelchair for each child. All these factors are taken into consideration in order to build a wheelchair that will suit the specific needs of the child. Some of these considerations include:

o which mobility controls are most appropriate

o the extent of the need of the child for independent mobility

o the child’s physical abilities and functional skills

o the child’s ability to control his or her upper and lower extremities, as well as head and eye movements

o the child’s ability to use activating switches or joysticks

o the child’s needs for posture support and seating

These are all valuable considerations, whether or not you’re in a situation in which your child’s wheelchair needs can receive a complete assessment through a medical facility. In addition, you’ll want to look for a wheelchair that will grow with your child. most pediatric power wheelchairs have adjustable brace supports and frame sections that can expand, so that your child’s chair can be used for ten or twelve years.

In addition, you’ll want to understand that a pediatric power wheelchair will require regular maintenance. Beyond normal cleaning, the hardware, tires, seat, braking system, control system and battery will need to be tested on a regular schedule.

On the social side of your child’s wheelchair needs, take into consideration his or her lifestyle, the temperament of your child, how he or she faces social situations, makes new friends, deals with being different, etc. For instance, how will your child handle the frustrations of first learning to use the controls and maneuver the power wheelchair? will he or she become impatient and quick to give up or will your child be determined? will your child be embarrassed entering new environments and new experiences confined to the wheelchair? or will he or she thrive in these circumstances?

Finally, you’ll also want to consider how you intend to transport your child’s pediatric power wheelchair. For instance, these chairs are far heavier and bulkier than a standard manual chair. Do you have a vehicle that’s big enough to handle the chair? Do you have a lift or a rack that can handle the additional weight? will you need additional help when transporting the wheelchair?

While pediatric power wheelchairs offer greater freedom than ever before, including the ability to allow your child to participate in activities at floor level or table height or even standing in some situations, they also require some important decision making. Choosing the right pediatric power wheelchair is a process of balancing the needs of your child against the practicality of today’s versatile chairs.

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Manual Wheelchairs and the Choices You Have

August 3, 2011

Wheelchairs are essential for people who cannot walk on their own or who need help when they have been hurt for a short period. hospital employs them to carry their patients from one place to another. it is apparent that they are essential to hundreds of people and businesses – which is why there is such a collection of them.

There are loads of distinct manual wheelchairs that individuals are able to choose from. Each are constructed differently and for various purposes. But they each help to take the person from one place to another.

These are the biggest and heaviest wheelchairs that are more ordinarily utilized by individuals. They are some of the more low-priced and really reliable. the only trouble with them is that they are so bulky that some individuals have a tricky time summoning their upper body strength to utilize them and they do not move around places very easily.

Lightweight chairs look really close to standard types except that they are partial the weight and bulk and look much smaller. They are made using titanium or aluminum pieces and are simple to move around in. the only trouble with these chairs is that they can only manage with so much weight before they break.

Sport chairs are not as average because they are simply utilized by handicap people who are would want to enter into sports like tennis, basketball, and also running. Each sport wheelchair is produced specifically for the sport the person wishes to take part in and custom made to their body type. Because they are custom made they are some of the most expensive types of chairs you can get your hands on.

Transport wheelchairs are more usually utilised by hospitals and clinics. They are lightweight – but they were not produced to be utilized everyday. Their small shape makes them durable enough to simply be utilised for transport from one place to the other in the general region.

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The ROHO Group Recognized as Illinois Exporter of the Year

July 6, 2011

Belleville, IL (PRWEB) July 05, 2011

the ROHO Group, Inc., an Illinois-based manufacturer of support surface products for medical and consumer applications, has been named the recipient of the Illinois Governor’s Export Award for Exporter of the Year for Medium-Sized Businesses. the annual Illinois Governor’s Export Awards honor Illinois-based businesses for export achievement.

Illinois legislature established the awards to recognize Illinois-based companies which contribute to the health of the Illinois economy by investing in and generating significant revenue from export operations. the awards are announced annually, in a presentation ceremony hosted by the Governor and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Office of Trade and Investment. the awards are based on a variety of criteria including export sales volume, export sales growth, international marketing strategies and multi-lingual and cultural efforts. the Governor’s Export Awards are part of Illinois Export Week that is designed to help companies find answers and advice on exporting.

“While the Illinois Governor’s Export Award for Exporter of the Year award showcases our success in building the ROHO brand on a global scale, it is really a testament to the associates of ROHO,” the ROHO Group President Tom Borcherding said, “They have been the foundation of the company’s success for more than 35 years. Our associates, along with our business partners throughout the world are the true recipients of this exciting award.”

Robert H. Graebe founded the ROHO Group, a family-owned company, in 1973 located in Belleville, Ill. the company’s brand names, ROHO® and AIRHAWK™, are recognized globally as brand leaders in wheelchair and motorcycle seating, respectively. the products are made in the company’s Belleville manufacturing facility.

More than 55 percent of the ROHO Group’s total company revenues are from export sales in more than 60 international markets. In April 2010, the ROHO Group received its largest single order in company history for more than 10,000 ROHO QUADTRO SELECT® Cushions from a Latin American country. the ROHO Group continues to invest heavily in international business development and export activities.

Specializing in shape fitting technology®, the ROHO Group manufactures and distributes a variety of standard and custom-size wheelchair cushions and accessories, back systems, powered and non-powered support surfaces. For more information, visit the ROHO Group’s website at therohogroup.com or contact customer service at (800) 851-3449 or (618) 277-9173 outside the U.S.

Read the full story at prweb.com/releases/2011/7/prweb8617232.htm

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Merits MP3W Electric Wheelchair, is there a sequence of pressing the buttons to get the controller to work?

June 13, 2011

I acquired (for Free) a Merits MP3W Electric Wheelchair, 350 lbs cap. It's in Great shape but been sitting for a couple of years in a garage. I plugged in its charger to charge the batteries and after several hours the chargers Green Light came on signaling the batterys are fully charged. I engaged the rear wheels to run from the hand controller. I pressed the on buttom and the Yellow-Red-Green lights flash back and forth for 10 times and then shut off. Is there a sequence of pressing the ON Button i.e. pressing it twice or three times, to get the controller to work the rear wheels. if I press the ON Button and Horn Buttom the 3 Yellow lights stay on but still no movement of the rear wheels when the toggle lever on the controller is moved. The Horn Button does beep though. could the batteries be toooooo old and can't produce enough charge to move the chair or maybe the magneto motors inerdurds are corroded from setting and can't turn over. looks like a "hauling it" to the dealership for a look-see. I hope it's something I'm not doing to initiate the controller. thanks for looking at my questions. happy Wheeling,,,,,, JACK*

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