Shop2Wheels

Adam Hefner asked:

You should talk with your doctor or physical therapist before buying an electric wheelchair and make sure all your questions are answered. A new wheelchair cannot simply be returned if it doesn't meet your needs, so compare your options and shop around. Insurance companies and Medicare do not replace power wheelchairs for several years after purchase unless your physical condition has changed.

Does a Power Wheelchair Meet Your Mobility Needs?

A power wheelchair may not be right for your mobility needs; ask your doctor. If you have no trouble pushing yourself in a manual wheelchair, Medicare or your insurance may not want to pay for a power wheelchair. If you normally have to access areas which manual wheelchairs have trouble with then a power wheelchair may be useful. You can get a power wheelchair which is capable of clearing thresholds up to three inches high.

If you are capable of walking with a cane and can get around your own home, you may not be a candidate for a power wheelchair. A power scooter is more economical and can provide added mobility outside or in larger areas. Because of their bulkier frame, they have a turning radius which makes them hard to use in small spaces. Heavy duty scooters can support weights of up to 500 pounds.

If you cannot use a power scooter or a manual wheelchair, because your physical condition makes it difficult to push yourself or enter or exit a scooter, you will need a power wheelchair. You may also need a power wheelchair if your mobility problem is permanent, or caused by a medical condition which may further reduce movement in the future.

What Kind of Power Wheelchair Is Right for You?

Motorized wheelchairs come in two main types, the motorized version of a manual wheelchair or power wheelchair, and the power-base wheelchair, a base mechanism to which a chair is attached.

If you like the manual wheelchair but want an electric motor, a power wheelchair is based on the same design. A power-base wheelchair has a more advanced mechanism but lacks the portability of the light-weight power wheelchair.

The power-base wheelchair offers adaptability and strength. The seat is attached to a sturdy wheel base; you can disassemble the machine and install a new seat if your physical condition requires one in the future. Heavy duty wheelchairs are available, the largest offering a maximum weight capacity of up to 675 pounds. Power-base wheelchairs are heavier and lifting machines are available for getting them into your automobile.

Your doctor can help you make a decision as to which electric wheelchair is best for you. You can order a customized wheelchair, catering your preferences as well as your physical necessities.

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Rory H. Hawkins asked:


You would know the restrictions of a wheelchair if some one you know, or yourself, is wheelchair bound. There are so many difficulties to contend with – it is problematic to take the wheelchair uphill all by oneself, doors are too narrow to pass, and in the process you may end up with wounds on your fingers and painful arms. Now welcome the electric wheelchairs. These novel chairs are adjusted with electric motors that are put in the place of the hand bound tire rotation that you may be used to. With these wheelchairs a person who was restricted by manual wheelchairs will experience a freedom and comfort for the first time ever. But it is always preferable that you choose the right wheelchair, one that answers your personal requirement.

Tip #1

At the time of choosing the right wheelchair that is suited to your personal need, it is crucial to know the cost that you would need to incur. Your medical insurance provider would be one of the right persons for answering your query. You will also be required to ponder on how much your own money will be there to add to the insurance company's coverage. When you are out purchasing your electric wheelchair, just bear in mind that the regular electric chair can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $30,000.

Tip #2

Other considerations would include such elements like the height and support of the back that you require. This would depend on your own physical limitations, for instance, if you have meager or no strength on upper body muscle. For this condition it is advised that the back be sloped at a 45 degree angle. Consult with a physiologist or with your personal doctor to know the right angle for you.

Tip #3

The control panel that you select will also be determined by your body restrictions. There are many methods available to select from, a joystick is very famous and operates in a similar manner like a video game. However if you have problem with arm control, then you may want a chair that carries a control system controlled by the head, the trunk of the body or through propulsion. Here also your physician will know which system would work best for you.

Tip #4

Once these fundamental choices are done with regarding your wheelchair, it is time to design it for you specifically. You can select the type of leg and foot supports, the extent of padding at the back of the chair together with its color and fabric, and the height of the chair. Whether these options elevate the final price of the wheelchair would depend on the manufacturer's offers.

Tip #5

It is very crucial to take the electric wheelchair for a test drive before you clinch the deal. Some companies would offer a test drive for a couple of hours and some would allow you to try it for one or two days. This kid of advantage would make it easier for you to make the right purchase.



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Maureen Brownell asked:


Dogs over the years have become a very integral part of our lives. They are our loyal companions. They do not talk back, they do not judge us, they are there when we need their companionship and their help.

Today we use dogs for a wide range of tasks. There are dogs to lead the blind, help people in wheelchairs, visit sick people in hospitals, sniff out drugs and so much more.

Of course for a dog to get to this point, extensive training is necessary. For some dogs they are specifically bred for some of these tasks. For example the Seeing Eye breeds their own German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden retrievers and Labrador/Golden crosses. These dogs spend time with a foster family until they are old enough to return for training.

It is the foster family's responsibility to love, care for and give gentle guidance to this possible future Seeing Eye dog. This dog will allow somehow who is visually impaired lead a normal independent life.

The foster family plays a very important part in the training process. They will be building the foundation for the intense training that these dog will go through.

They need to show this puppy as much of the outside world as possible. For example they need exposure to things such as traveling in a car, sounds, sudden noises, other animals, crowds etc. These dogs can not be spooked by these things when they are working as a Seeing Eye Dog.

If for some reason these dogs do not pass their training they are offered back to the foster family as a pet or are placed in a home or possibly another agency that will use the dog such as a police department.

Even though many of us that have dogs will never train our dog to this extent it is very important that we at least teach our dog the basics of obedience.

Our dogs need to learn how to walk on a leash, sit, lay down and come when called. Of course they also need to be housebroken. This training as I have said before starts the day we bring them home. You can't let that puppy run amuck for three months and then expect them to pick up on the training right away. You need to build the foundation blocks for future training.

One thing that people do seem to let a new puppy get away with is nipping. Some people seem to think since they still have their baby teeth it is no big deal. The nip just seems like a little love bite. What happens when your puppy outgrows those baby teeth and is still nipping? Well if you have a large breed dog I would say that someone could get seriously hurt. Even a small breed can do a lot of damage.

Would it not have been easier when the puppy first started this to correct it and refocus his biting over to an acceptable toy? Yes, I know, it is just so cute when they are biting your hand and growling when they are so small but it is not cute when they grow up and those jaws have enough force to not only break the skin but possibly break a bone.

Another thing that people tend to do when their puppy is small is to play rough with the puppy. The rough play does tire them out but unfortunately you are teaching them that this is acceptable behaviour. As they grow and become stronger they are going to be harder to handle. Wouldn't it be better to walk them or teach them to fetch a ball or a frisbee? This will also tire them out.

Even though you have introduced some bad habits right away these dogs are still very trainable. It may take a little longer, so remember to be patient when you are training. If you have the time and the patience you can teach you dog many things. Just training the basics is a good start but you can have so much fun teaching them other things as well. Not only will it tire them out but it will help you also.

Winter can be a miserable time of the year for those of us that get cold weather and snow. However I find it a great time to be out in the yard with the dogs. Their first snow has to be the funniest. Nothing to me is funnier than watching a dog catch a snowball and wondering where it went. The look on there face is priceless.



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Ricky Lim asked:


Most human beings can move about effortlessly. However, there are many of us who have no such freedom and are confined to the wheelchair for the rest of our lives. For those of us, the vertical wheelchair lift is like a savior.

Everyone knows how easy it is for one to climb stairs when their legs and feet are intact, but what about those disabled? We have to take help from others. They carry us up the flight if stairs and we feel insignificant because our friends look upon us with pity. The vertical wheelchair lift has changed all of this and now, we are free to support ourselves without taking help from others.

Ramps and elevators

Ramps and elevators are another option for us. You do not have to face the difficulties these machines cause. However, these machines are not everywhere. And you have to restrict yourself from going to a bar or any other place just because you have no freedom of movement. Even when you are in your house, the scenario is the same. As such, you need to get the vertical wheelchair lift.

There are many models of the vertical wheel chair lift which you can choose from. There is the electrically run lift and the hydraulically pulled up type. You may choose any. If you feel that the lift will consume too much electricity, then go for the hydraulic one but if you have no problem then the electric one is the best.

There are other advantages of the lift which we have overlooked. See, when the lift is already installed, the other family members can also use it. For example, if everyone is going to dine on the terrace or the porch then you could use this lift to take food and cutlery to that place. It will take less labor.

Many vertical wheel chair lifts models are also available in shaft types and totally enclosed types. But you will have to keep in mind what you want. If you are happy with only a platform lift then go for it. Otherwise if you are looking for a bit more safety, then take up the enclosed type which has four walls and a platform.

The enclosed one is the best because if you install the lift outside, then certain problems may arise. Say, the weather is very bad, it’s raining, or a dust wind is bowing, the person will face difficulties in such situations. So an enclosed vertical wheelchair lift is the best.



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anthonyrobbins asked:


Handicap wheelchair lifts designed with comfort and safety are ideal options for physically disabled people who find it an arduous task to climb and descend the steep stairways in their homes or offices. These wheel chair stair lifts are designed to carry people up and down the stairs safely, comfortably, and effortlessly.

A wheelchair lift may also be referred to as a vertical platform lift, wheelchair platform lift, wheelchair stair lift, or vertical lift. Nowadays, several models of handicap wheelchair lifts are available in the market for both commercial and residential use. The major manufacturers of wheel chair stair lifts are Savaria Concord, Adaptive Engineering, ThyssenKrupp Access, and Garaventa. They offer vertical lifts for both indoor and outdoor use. In addition, you can use these to carry heavy weights. Only branded handicap wheelchair lifts should be purchased for long lasting use.

Two types of handicap wheel chair lifts are available in the market - electric wheelchair lifts and hydraulic wheel chair lifts. Electric wheel chair stair lifts run on electricity. These lifts also work during power outages with the support of emergency battery. Hydraulic wheelchair platform lifts are more costly than electric wheel chair lifts. Hydraulic models use hydraulic fluid for a smooth ride. They have the capacity to adjust to any speed fluctuations and changes on the surface level. When compared to hydraulic wheelchair platform lifts, the electric models are cheaper. The cost of these handicap wheelchair lifts varies according to their structures and features.

Applications:

•    Airport

•    Railway station

•    Schools

•    Hospitals

Vertical lifts can be used in houses and commercial buildings; in both locations these devices guarantee comfort and safety for the users. Non-commercial and commercial wheel chair lifts differ in their sizes and features as they are designed to match different situations. A commercial stair lift has a motor driven platform that can easily access different floor levels. These lifts are equipped with lots of safety features such as under platform sensors, emergency stop switch, call-send controls, and more which provide comfortable and valuable support for the users with impaired mobility.

They are designed to be installed in a variety of building architectures. Most manufacturers provide wheel chair stair lifts in a variety of models tailored to your budget and needs. They also offer installation and maintenance services at affordable cost.



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Paul Link asked:


Access ramps for wheelchairs and scooters

A suitcase ramp is an innovation in mobility for users of wheelchairs, power chairs and mobility scooters. Although the concept of using access ramps is a familiar one, it is not always convenient and practical to transport a bulky ramp around with you. After all, ramps are usually a metre and a half to two metres wide and made of metal – you can’t just slip them under one arm as you move through a shopping area.

What’s the solution?

The suitcase ramp as the name suggests, is transported in a handy case. What’s more, the case is of a manageable size and weight. Ramps of this kind are available in handy telescopic form as well as plain. The wheelchair ramps are so light because they are made of fibreglass and graphite. Although aluminium ramps are light, fibreglass and graphite suitcase ramps are so light that they can be picked up using just one finger! For a portable ramp, the benefit of this speaks for itself.

Another benefit of the fibreglass and graphite mix is that it is very strong, and even at lengths of two metres plus, these ramps can support weights of 325kg.

Smaller versions of the suitcase ramps are of such a conveniently small size that they can be simply transported on the back of wheelchairs. The handy carry bag or ‘suitcase’ makes this easily possible. Attention to detail means that although the bag with ramp inside can be lifted up by one finger, the handle has still been made especially comfortable.

Other features of the suitcase ramp include an extra safe no skid surface, which is of real practical help when you consider the ever changing UK weather conditions. Highly visible yellow safety lines on either side of the ramp make using it even safer still.

The telescopic version of the ramp is designed to unfold easily and smoothly so there’s no danger of pinching your fingers.

Where can you get a “suitcase ramp”

These strong, light, terrifically portable, and surprisingly affordable ramps are available from specialist access / mobility ramp retailers in the UK.



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David Faulkner asked:


Wheelchair wheels pay a dual role in the operation of a wheelchair; they both act as shock absorbers both increasing the comfort of the wheelchair user, and decreasing the stress on the wheelchair to reduce the level of future maintenance it will need.

Many wheelchair users, however, see their wheelchair wheels as one of their chair's most important stylistic features, decorating them with designer hand rims and spoke guards. This is in spite of the fact than most wheelchair wheels are constructed of gray rubber, which has been treated to prevent it from scuffing floor finishes. And many of them share their pneumatic construction with ordinary bicycles.

Pneumatic Tires

Those wheelchair wheels which contain inflatable tubes like those found in bicycles cushion the wheelchairs' users' rides and enable the wheelchairs to maneuver through past closely situated obstacles and tight areas. But pneumatic tires puncture easily on broken glass, nails, or even sharp stones. This is especially true for motorized wheelchairs, which are heavier than manual ones. Having a flat tire with no spare when on a solitary outing is no wheelchair user's idea of a good time.

Solid Tires

Wheelchair tires of solid rubber are a terrific alternative to pneumatically clad wheelchair wheels, because their rubber is sturdy enough to handle event the roughest terrain. Solid rubber will not wear out and need replacing as quickly as pneumatic tires, and unlike the pneumatic tires, rarely become deflated.

But, like all good things, solid rubber does have it s flaws; it will, for instance, let you experience every jarring jolt when you are traveling on unpaved terrain. This discomfort, however, is insignificant given that those wheelchair users who have pneumatic tires who and use their wheelchairs frequently normally have to replace their wheelchair wheels every two to three months.

There has been a recent advance in wheelchair wheel technology, which offers users both a comfortable ride and amore durable tire. Some solid rubber tires are designed to hold a rubber insert which substitutes for the pneumatic tube. This new tire needs no inflating, meaning that it will never become deflated.

Disabled people who have manually operated wheelchairs have reported that this new solid rubber tire with the tube insert provides them with a more cushioned ride, and motorized wheelchair users have also made favorable comments about it. If you are a wheelchair user who is tired of jarring rides and flat tires, this new tire may be the answer for which you've been waiting.

People who are able to get out and about might want to buy a collapsible transport wheel chair which can be used for excursions and will fit in a car's trunk. The transport wheel chair must either be pushed, or maneuvered by the user's feet. Power wheelchairs are not collapsible, and people who use them usually travel by van with specially designed wheel chair lifts.

Before you buy a wheel chair, measure all the tight spaces in the user's environment through which it will have to fit; widen the necessary doorway and move what furniture you need to.



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Helene Turnbull asked:


The Planning Stage:  Before leaving home you need to be organized and a few minutes of planning will pay dividends when you get to the show.  You need to pack to go to a show, especially a large show.

 

Shopping List:  Before you go to any show or fair, sit down in the comfort of your own home and write out a shopping list.  Gift for Auntie Dorothy, doggie booties for Toto … you get the idea.  Add how much you want to spend for each gift.

 

Parking:  What is the parking situation?  Is it possible to take public transit?  Maybe a commuter train into town?  Is the parking close by the fair venue?  Even after following all the advice here, you are going to be tired by the end of the day and you’ll be glad you’re just steps away from your mode of transportation.

 

Comfy Shoes and Socks:  Wear your walking boots or shoes;  especially for the large shows.  There will be a lot of walking and the right footwear will make your more comfortable.

 

Also, make sure your socks fit:  if they are too small they will bind up your toes and that will affect your back – want more pain?  Wear tight socks.

 

Water:  Freeze a bottle of water.  Put in your lunch bucket as a cold pack to keep your other bottles cold.  Take several bottles of water per person.  It’s hot in those shows.  And you become dehydrated quickly.  Water will answer perfectly the need for fluids.  I know they are heavy, but as you drink each bottle, the weight decreases.

 

Remember to recycle those tins and plastic bottles:  the venues supply recycling bins so use them.

 

Lunch:  In that cooler bag full of water, add something nourishing to eat.  The venue offers food services but you can save yourself a LOT of money taking your own.  Think of it as picnicking indoors.  Include any cutlery you need and some pretty napkins, too.

 

Fan:  Specifically, a battery operated hand held fan.  Mine comes from the dollar store.  This is especially important for menopausal ladies of all ages.  Show your love for your mother and bring along a fan for her to use.  Trust me on this one; you will need a fan.

Tote Bag:  This holds all the paper and samples you are going to lay your hands on at the show.  Depending on the show you are attending, plastic bags may be offered to do this job.  Here is an opportunity to decrease the amount of plastic in our landfills.  And your own tote bag will hold more than what those plastic bags hold.  Do your bit for the environment.

 

Bundle Buggy:  Along the same lines as a tote bag, if you are attending this fair during the fall and winter, even the spring, you will be wearing a coat.  Make sure the weight of the coat is consistent with the weather:  don’t sacrifice your comfort here.

 

But, do take a bundle buggy to put your coats into, along with your tote bag.  After all, you are planning on shipping at the fair, aren’t you?!  A buggy of some sort goes a long way to making your trip more comfortable.

 

Don’t bring your baby stroller, baby and all, and think of using the stroller as your bundle buggy:  all you are doing is filling your hands with baby when the point is that you don’t carry anything.  Including baby.

 

Baby Care:  **  If you decide to bring along baby and/or children, think of their comfort, to.  They get dehydrated, too.  Their legs are shorter so they are taking more steps than you.  They are surrounded by taller people and they can’t see very much at all.

 

They have very short spans of attention and get bored easily.  Bored children will upset the people around them:  anything to offer some diversion.  And that is your fault for bringing them, not the child’s fault.

 

Take frequent sit down breaks.  Bring things to amuse your children.  Involve them in shopping for Grandmama, or teacher, or whatever.

 

The best thing you can do is get them a babysitter.  Any child under 10 isn’t going to learn any lessons or become better socialized at a craft or trade fair.

 

The biggest favour you can give yourself at a large fair is to leave your children at home.  They are exhausting and you will be tired enough without making it worse.

 

The Show Stage:  You made it.  And you are excited to see everything.  Planning is needed at this stage, too. Add a little self discipline.

 

Amenities:  Locate the washroom as soon as you enter the venue.  If there is more than 1 location, keep it in mind.  You will need one to freshen up.  And it’s best to know where to go before you need to.

 

Assistive Devices:  If you sometimes walk with a cane, take it with you.  If it is a walker you use occasionally, take it and use it.  And if you sometimes land yourself in a wheelchair, you’ll need it here.  Use the wheelchair as a walker until you can walk no further.  You wheelchair is there to help you because you had the foresight to bring it.

 

Sit Down:  This is the all time hardest thing to do.  Don’t think you can push through the whole show and go home with lots of energy left.  Shows of all kinds and sizes are extremely draining and if you don’t carve out some time to relax, you will be in trouble later in your day.

 

Sit down before you fall down.  You need real stamina to get through a large show and the best way to the end is by pacing yourself.  Athletes know all about pacing and you, too, are an athlete.  The difference is in the sport – yours is shopping.

 

Shop Around:  Get the business card of every vendor who is selling something you want:  mark on the business card what grabbed your attention and where the booth is located (Aisle and Booth number).  Don’t buy yet unless you know there are no other vendors selling a similar product.  When you have finished visiting all the show has to offer, sit down and relax.  Sort through all those business cards and decide where you will spend your money.  Now go back and make your purchases in the knowledge that you got the best item for the best price.

 

Home Time Stage:  Your day still isn’t over because you have so many demands for your time and attention.  Your Home Time Stage will be easier on you if you took the time to plan and precautions against tiring yourself too much.

 

More to Do:  If you have children of any age, their needs must be attended to.  If you have a husband, the same attention must be given.  There is dinner to prepare, baths and beds for the wee-uns.  Finally, you can sit down.  Do you ‘white knuckle’ it and just work through it?  Do you seek the help of your partner?  Do you get a take-away meal?  Do whatever it takes to make this part of your day easier on you.  Remind yourself you can’t help others if you can’t help yourself.

 

AHHH:  Now just sit down and relax.  If you have been to a large show, you ache.  You ache even more if you ignored the planning stage, or took your baby/children along.  Enjoy the silence.

 

Your Time:  Have that bubble bath or steamy shower you promised yourself.  Spray yourself with your favourite scent.  Get into a clean nightie.  And get into bed.  You will rest well knowing you’ve got some lovely things to use and to give as gifts.  Congratulate yourself for having survived your marathon shopping day.

 

**NOTES:  Baby Care – really belongs in both the Planning Stage and the Show Stage.  That’s just the joy of being a parent.

 

One Final Note:  Take your sense of humour with you to the show:  don’t leave home without it.  There will be crowds where you are going.  And, I’ve yet to learn why, they all want to look at the same thing you want to see and all of them are in your way.  Talk to the people around you; it helps break the tension and you will enjoy the show more.

 

At the Easter shows my sister and I wear rabbit ears and carry a basket of individually wrapped chocolate Easter eggs. At Christmas we wear our antlers and we have a Canadian flag and maple leaf on springs that take the place of the ears and antlers.  It lightens the mood of people who see us and is a great way to start conversations.  Those who are young at heart are the people who stop us to chat.  It does make the day more pleasant to get through and less stressful.

 



wheelchair tires

Adam Hefner asked:


Take the time to compare options when buying a power wheelchair; it is an important purchase and you need to take several factors into account. Different models are best for different disabilities, different spaces through which the user normally moves, and different budgets, including contributions from insurance or Medicare.

Electric wheelchairs offer mobility for the disabled without the strain of pushing a wheelchair. If you are unable to use a manual wheelchair because of your disability, an electric wheelchair may be the only option to achieve independent mobility. Many models of electric wheelchair come with a certain level of clearance, and are capable of crossing thresholds of up to three inches, permitting you to pass through raised doorways and making these products more useful than manual wheelchairs.

Travel wheelchairs make traveling more convenient, especially if you travel frequently. These lightweight models can be taken by car or airplane, disassembling or folding to save space. You can purchase a loading mechanism to put a heavier wheelchair in the back of a vehicle. A travel wheelchair may not be right for you if you do not travel frequently, or if you need a larger wheelchair for your weight, but wheelchair rental services are available for travelers.

If you weigh more than a certain amount, you may need a heavy-duty wheelchair. Wheelchairs can be purchased with varying maximum weight support; heavy-duty units can carry 400, 500, or even 600-675 pounds. An average electric wheelchair can carry 250-300 pounds. Heavy-duty wheelchairs are more expensive, but Medicare or insurance may cover the cost.

Some higher-end wheelchairs are not covered by Medicare or insurance. You should only buy one of these wheelchairs if you are not covered by Medicare or insurance, if you have the money to buy your favorite higher-end model, or if you physically require a specific model which is not covered. Some businesses will take care of the Medicare paperwork for you at no extra cost, so be sure to ask them which products are covered.

Power scooters are more economical, and can be an excellent choice for people with impaired mobility. These units are bulkier, and you may not be able to navigate them in your home, but if you can get around your own home using a cane, a power scooter can provide greater mobility outside. If you are disabled and are looking for an economic way to travel without having to push a wheelchair, you can use a power scooter and leave the wheelchair at home.

A power wheelchair is an important investment. You can't ask for a replacement from your insurance company or Medicare for several years after purchasing one, so make sure you get the one that best meets your needs. Ask your doctor or physical therapist for help in making this decision.



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K. Davis asked:


If you are reading this, something about the sport of fencing has piqued your curiosity. Maybe it was an epic fencing battle portrayed in a movie or play; maybe your child has expressed an interest in fencing; or maybe you fenced many years ago and the sport is beckoning you back.

Fencing, an Olympic sport, is the art of attack and defense using swords. Its ancestors include cavalrymen in 710 BC, armored fifteenth-century knights, and duelists in the 1500's who symbolized "trial by battle." Swordsmen practicing for duels modified their rapiers so that the points were flat. These practice weapons were the first tools used in the study of fencing as art.

Fencing, which appeared in the original Olympic games in Athens, Greece, is also one of only four sports to have appeared in each modern Olympics since 1896.

Fencing has evolved into three disciplines: foil, sabre, and épée. The foil teaches personal control. It is the most common starter weapon. The sabre evolved from the weapon of choice for cavalry troops, and is the only discipline in which the edge of the sword, in addition to the tip, can result in scores for the fencer. ...pée, a descendant of the dueling sword, is sometimes referred to as "freestyle fencing," because it is not governed by the same conventions as foil and sabre.

Besides understanding the names of the three fencing disciplines, there is lots of "fencing speak" to learn if you are new to the sport. There are many web sites about fencing that include more glossaries. One of the most comprehensive is at http://www.fencing.net/, but here are some examples: "Walking the strip," for example, refers not to Las Vegas but to the electronically grounded surface on which fencers compete. A beat is not something a policeman walks but rather one of three "attacks on the blade" that a fencer may make. An engagement does not involve a diamond ring but rather contact of the fencers' blades. A pool is not a sparkling body of water but rather a grouping of six fencers at a tournament.

Why do fencers choose to fence? In a sport where individualism (tempered by discipline) is valued, there are many possible answers. Some recreational fencers simply enjoy the physical and mental challenges. Competitive fencers thrive on the opportunity to compete. Young people vying for athletic scholarships see an opportunity to compete for scholarships with a far less crowded field than some more common sports. Others plan to parlay their fencing skills into the theatrical arena.

Fencing is a sport in which women can compete on an equal playing field to men. Youngsters who start the sport develop refined analytical and tactical skills rapidly (and learn some life lessons along the way).

Just as the fencer's mask obscures some of their facial expressions, the choice to fence is sometimes inscrutable and mysterious. Famous fencers such as Grace Kelly, actor Jerry O'Connell, Neil Diamond, Jimmy Buffett, and even Winston Churchill found something compelling in the sport. Less public fencers, including the wheelchair fencers participating in Paralympic games, experience a rush of excitement each time they suit up in their protective garb and begin to fence. Undoubtedly you will experience a "thrust" of excitement too when you become involved, as an observer or a participant.



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