Tag: power wheelchair

Never do this to anyone using an electric wheelchair

A couple of weeks ago, my mom and I enjoyed a matinee performance of swan lake from the wheelchair section of the theater, which is the back row, by the doors. As is our usual practice, we started to leave just as the audience began applauding. I was using my portable electric wheelchair and was already into the aisle when the usher opened the doors of the still darkened theater. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a woman was in front of me, and unfortunately, I bumped into her with my wheelchair . She said sorry twice, and I said, ” You should be.”

This isn’t about me being in the wrong. It’s about the fact that you should NEVER think that you can just quickly get in front of a power wheelchair user. Every power wheelchair is different, and the user may not be able to stop as quickly as you may think.  Luckily for the woman I bumped into, I have good reflexes. But I don’t have great eyesight,which should be obvious by my glasses.

This woman was lucky that I was in my portable chair that weighs 60 pounds and not a chair weighing over 200 pounds, or I could have done some real damage instead of some mild bruising.

Before this incident happened, I used to joke with my husband to speed up when I would follow him in my wheelchair ,that he’d end up in my lap if he wasn’t careful. But that’s not the worst thing that can happen if you stop suddenly in front of me, or if you just want to quickly get in front of me. And I’m okay with it. Because people need to learn to NEVER DO IT.

I’m a PERSON who uses a wheelchair

I’m not here to disgust you as I live my life and I don’t want to hear that you feel disgusted by my wheelchair because it sounds like a YOU problem and I’ve got plenty of my own issues thank you. I’m a PERSON who uses a wheelchair.

Also, it’s not my job to be your inspiration from the seat of my power wheelchair. I don’t want your thumbs up as I transfer from the passenger seat of my car to my wheelchair. Or worse, you telling me that some nonexistent deity loves me to make yourself feel like you’re a good person all while conveniently forgetting that I’m a PERSON who uses a wheelchair and not every person believes what you believe.

I’m not a child. I’m a 57 year old stroke survivor, and I don’t appreciate being talked down to like I’m 5. I’m a fully grown, educated PERSON who uses a wheelchair

Just because it’s a power wheelchair doesn’t mean that I can’t speak. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is when people assume that I can’t speak just because I’m sitting in a power wheelchair. Ask me if you’re not sure, and I’ll happily tell you in paragraph form that not only can I speak, but you should listen to me when I do because I actually have something to say from my experiences that you might just need to hear. I’m a PERSON who uses a wheelchair.

So treat me like a PERSON. The wheelchair is not me. I’m the PERSON sitting in the wheelchair so treat me as you would any PERSON. Or better yet, treat me like you would want to be treated.

If you have issues with people who use wheelchairs you’d better make sure that you never end up in one because I can guarantee that you’re not emotionally strong enough to handle it.

Scewo bro wheelchair is available to test drive in the USA…

The stair climbing wheelchair from Switzerland has finally made it across the pond to the USA 🇺🇸. My question is how much longer will I have to wait until I can finally test it out for myself, with an eye towards purchasing, of course. In the video below, Scewo representatives are in Utah for a test 6 it covers everything that the wheelchair does, including fit into the back of an SUV.

Watch “Scewo BRO – Power wheelchair. The new generation.” on YouTube

Holy heckballs, this wheelchair has thought of everything! From reaching a top shelf to climbing and decending stairs this chair literally does it all. From the minds of engineering students in Switzerland, this chair is incredible! Unfortunately, it’s also incredibly high priced at 40,000 US dollars. If you can afford one, I literally can’t think of a reason why you wouldn’t buy one, unless, like me, you live in Canada, because it’s not available here YET.