SarahC asked:


As sports have become more inclusive to disabled people, standard wheelchairs are no longer good enough in competitions, and lightweight sports wheelchairs have become the standard. You only need to look at the pictures from the Paralympics to see the wide variation in wheelchair designs. These chairs are lightweight, and have been designed specifically for one sport, taking feedback from users in how the chair can be improved for a specific sport.

Sporty modern lightweight chairs for daily use, for all types of sport, both fun and serious competition. Over 25 years we have developed a reputation for providing the very best levels of advice, support and value to every customer. Our team delivers one on one, individual service that our customers really appreciate, and every chair is designed and tested by me personally. Wheelchairs for daily use sports and racing. Get out in the fresh air, and speed around the countryside at great speed.

Fabulous machines with 27 gears that enable you to keep up with pedal cyclists.   Get out in the fresh air, and speed around the countryside at great speed. Fabulous machines with 27 gears that enable you to keep up with pedal cyclists with racing handcycles UK.  We want to start a fully inclusive 'downhill racing community' here in the UK, to help us to spread the knowledge and different experiences of the various people involved.

As our membership grows we hope to create enough interest to open a dialogue with the relevant organisations with a view to developing more accessible fourcross friendly sites across the country.



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Kalpana Purushothaman asked:


World Elders’ Day at Karunashraya

One year old. That’s how old my daughter, Maansi, has turned today. We kept thinking of what we should do to celebrate this first and major milestone in her life. Music has been so much a part of my life that it only seemed natural that there should be lots of it on this special day too. I spoke to a few other friends who are part of Sonata’s Josh band to check out if we could do a music show together. We decided to do a simple show for the inmates of Karunashraya, a hospice on Airport Road, Bangalore. In fact, this was a program that we had been planning for several months now, but we finally decided to go ahead and do it on Oct 1st – incidentally the World Elders’ Day too.

Karunashraya, for those who have not been there, is a beautiful place with an amazing blend of simplicity and serenity. We were welcomed by Mr. Kishore Rao, the Managing Trustee, who gave us a brief introduction about Karunashraya and the work being done there.

The Karunashraya team, along with my dear friend Anna of iVolunteer, had organized everything beautifully and we had a lovely stage by the side of a beautiful stone pool with fishes. We had our audience all around the pool – most of them in wheelchairs, some of them on their beds and the staff sitting on the steps. I can’t describe what it feels to see a tired face light up in recognition when a favourite song is played or the joy that I felt when I saw an old lady lying on her bed clapping her hands in time to the music. Our entire Josh band enjoyed singing and performing for this truly special audience. We had requests for old Raj Kumar songs as well as the latest hip numbers and the band obliged them all. Our joy was doubled when a few inmates came up and sang for us too!

Behind all the laughter and the music, one could sense the presence of that unspoken something too. Pain… Almost every inmate at Karunashraya lives with pain in some form or the other and yet, what we felt after spending time with them was not despair. What we felt, was deep thankfulness for the lives we have. For the health we have and take for granted. For our loved ones who are there for us through the good and not-so-good times. Gratitude and admiration for the goodness in human beings that makes people at Karunashraya reach out to other suffering people in such simple, yet profound ways. To help individuals live their last days with dignity as Mr. Kishore Rao so simply and succinctly put in. What a cause to dedicate one’s career and life to!

We came away completely humbled by these brave people who smiled and applauded our show through their own pain. Also thought–provoking was the attitude of the entire Karunashraya staff who are so cheerful despite being in such close quarters to death and so much pain. The selflessness and patience that the entire Karunashraya team has, is admirable and all of us in the corporate world would do well to learn a thing or two about commitment and dedication to one’s work from them.

The Karunashraya staff had prepared a simple and delicious lunch topped off by some yummy fruit cake given by the parents of one of the patients. We were really touched when he shared that his son who had not been responding for several days had shown some positive signs and was responding after our show! The cake was his gift to the entire Josh band. On that sweet and happy note, all of us went home – enriched and blessed by what we had shared and experienced. I couldn’t have asked for more for my daughter on her special day.

Kalpana Purushothaman, Bangalore

October '05



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Www.scootamart.com Staff asked:


Who Could Benefit From A Mobility Scooter?

Anyone who struggles to walk or gets tired after walking a short distance could benefit from using a mobility scooter. Using an electric scooter is not an admission of defeat and can make a great deal of difference to your quality of life, and can even provide a new lease of life and a new found independence. If you are thinking about getting a mobility scooter, it is probably past time to do it. However, the sooner you start using an electric scooter, the longer you might retain the ability to walk.

A disabled scooter can give you more energy because you won't be using all your energy in trying to walk, or push a traditional wheelchair. Using an electric scooter will help to relieve the strain on shoulder muscles and wrist and elbow joints that are used when pushing yourself in a self propelled wheelchair or someone else in a traditional transit wheelchair. An electric scooter can help to provide you with the freedom to go where ever you want, whenever you want. Some models are capable of travelling up to 35 miles between charges, so the distance you can cover is much greater than in a traditional wheelchair.

A large number of supermarkets and DIY stores as well as other shops offer customers the use of a mobility scooter whilst shopping. If you are not sure if you would benefit from one, why not try one and see if it makes shopping any easier. Some places such as large shopping centres or town centres offer Shopmobility, which is a scheme that lends or hires mobility equipment based on the user's requirements, and then provides brief training on using the equipment. If you go on holiday why not arrange to hire a mobility scooter instead of taking your wheelchair, and see if it makes a difference.

By getting an electric scooter, you can open many doors that have been previously closed, perhaps because of a disability or illness - such as going shopping, going out for the day, going for a "walk" with the children or grandchildren. You can go up and down steep hills in comfort and without fear of rolling down the hill, and without being worn out for days afterwards. You can visit friends and relatives at your convenience, without needing to rely on public transport. Most mobility scooters have a key to start them, and so if the key is removed the scooter cannot be driven. This means that the scooter can be left outside a shop, for example, and it can be "locked" like a car.

If you think that you, a friend or relative could benefit from a mobility scooter or a powerchair, why not try some and find one that you like. If you know somebody with a mobility scooter, ask them about it, and what improvements it has brought them. Mobility scooters can mean the difference between managing to live at home independently, and having to rely on others.

For more information about mobility scooters, please visit www.scootamart.com



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Angelo Johnson asked:


People with chronic fatigue syndrome face many troubling issues. First, they must cope with the symptoms of the syndrome. Second, they have to deal with an illness whose cause remains mystifying. Third, their illness has no specific tests. Fourth, it doesn't have specific treatment. chronic fatigue syndrome, therefore, is a great burden to those who have it.

As the name implies, it's fatigue, not the ordinary tiredness that comes from not sleeping or working too long and too hard. It's an overwhelming fatigue that makes any effort a gigantic challenge, and it's a fatigue that rest and sleep do not resolve.

In addition to fatigue, people have disturbed sleep. They might have joint and muscle pain, their memory is often not as good as it was, lymph nodes frequently enlarge and become tender and headaches are common.

I find that if you are unable to sleep at night because of the more uncomfortable symptoms, laying down in a warm and dark room helps. Lay on your back and relax your whole body. If you are having trouble with this, tense every muscle one by one, and then completely relax. Breath through your mouth deeply, but concentrate more on breathing out. Maybe listen to a relaxation tape? Rain always helps!

- If you absolutely have to go out (such as if you are a single parent looking after young children, or maybe it's a celebration and you are dreading the many birthdays there are to come in the months ahead!) do NOT be afraid of purchasing a wheelchair! These help alot of patients get out and about when they are too tired or in too much discomfort to walk, and I have heard it is extremely amusing seeing the look on peoples faces in a grocery store when you casually pop out of your wheelchair to reach the high shelf with the milk on it!

There will be times when you feel alot better, even if its just for an hour or two. Use this time to go for a walk in the park, or shopping, or even just enjoying a sit down in your garden. This really will make you better in the long run and you will find these 'feeling well' times repeating themselves more often.

- If you are feeling sick, or have similar discomfort in your stomach, do not be tempted to stop eating. I find a piece of toast with peanut butter helps no end! Your stomach may just be feeling abit more sensitive to being empty now, so a small (plain!) snack will calm it right down. Remember though, watch your weight and don't always eat toast with peanut butter, I did this for a long while and it isn't really the most nutritious of diets! Despite feeling ill, eat your normal diet regardless. (I always keep a packet of ant-acid/indigestion tablets with me too, these can be very helpful with digestive discomfort)

- Do not be afraid to sleep as much as you want if you can, this will only do you good.

Some experts theorize that the syndrome might come from a disruption of the normal coordination that exists between the pituitary and adrenal glands. Others feel it's an inappropriate activation of the immune system. No one knows for sure what the cause is.

There has been no break through in treatment. Supervised exercise with a gradual increase in its intensity is important. Chronic fatigue patients find exertion difficult. therefore, they become deconditioned, and that adds to the problems of the syndrome. That's why exercise is important. Medicines such as Elavil can restore refreshing sleep to some patients. Patients should not take long naps during the day. Those naps can make nighttime sleep more fragmented. Chronic fatigue syndrome is disruptive, but it is not fatal. That's one upside to the syndrome.



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anthonyrobbins asked:


A handicap wheelchair lift is an excellent accessibility device for persons with disabilities for accessing different levels of their homes or other buildings. This lift provides them greater mobility, ensuring overall independence and freedom.

Today, there are mainly two types of handicap wheelchair lifts – hydraulic wheel chair lifts and electric wheel chair lifts. The hydraulic lift system uses hydraulic fluid for smooth and safe movement. These lifts work even during a power outage. Compared to hydraulic wheel chair stair lifts, electric wheelchair lifts are cheaper and easy to maintain. These lifts can even work during power outages with an emergency battery lowering device. Additional features such as telephone jacks and automatic door openers can also be custom fitted as per users’ requirements.

A wheelchair lift, also known by different names such as a wheelchair stair lift or a wheelchair platform lift are similar products, but come with different functions. A vertical platform lift is a cost effective alternative to an elevator. This lift is more visually appealing, flexible in style and performance. The key must-have features of a vertical platform lift are ease of rolling up and down, an anti-slip platform for maximum safety, and safety railings.

Wheelchair platform lifts have proven to be useful when there is no scope of adding a ramp to an existing building. Handicap wheel chair lifts are a great help to lift physically disabled people from a raised level to a lower level and vice versa. Inclined platform lifts are handicap wheelchair lifts perfect for moving up stairways. These can be mounted straight to an existing wall or tower-mounted to the staircase.

Portable wheel chair lifts are ideal where lifts aren’t needed all the time and need to be used for multiple locations. These can provide instant and affordable accessibility. These lifts can be set up in a matter of minutes. They can be easily folded up and stored when not in use and no installation is required.

The major manufacturers of wheel chair stair lifts in the American market are ThyssenKrupp Access, Savaria Concord, Adaptive Engineering and Garaventa. These companies trade wheel chair lifts under different names. Their lifts are available in almost all sizes to fit all body types, colors, finishes and weight capacities. The prices of these wheelchair platform lifts vary according to their structure and features. 

If you want a vertical lift for your home or office, then choose wisely according to your specific needs. Make sure that the device you purchase meets ADA compliance and possesses all the features that you need.



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Virginia Bola asked:


We are inundated by exhortations to lose weight - from the media, from our friends, from our family. As the richest, fattest, nation on earth, we idealize the impossibly thin supermodels who smile (or smirk?) at us from every magazine cover. We spend a fortune on trying to lose weight and despair when we don't.

Enough of the diet gurus, the nutritionists, and the weight loss experts (including me), let's enjoy ourselves for a while. The diabetes and clogged arteries will overtake us all too quickly. For today, let's feast freely at the banquet of life.

1. Ordering in a restaurant is incredible fun.

Your dining companions may be limiting their selections, counting carbs and fats and calories but you are free of all that. You can pick the creamiest, juiciest item on the menu without a single twinge of guilt. Go ahead, have the baked potato with extra butter and sour cream. Chew the divine crispy bread with your creamed soup or artichoke dip appetizer. Go exotic with beef Wellington in its flaky crust shell or dive into that impeccably marbled steak. And while your companions sip coffee, order peach pie - a la mode, no less. Now, weren't you the one who made the most of the evening?

2. Enjoy the company picnic.

Let your coworkers make fools of themselves running three-legged races and playing very bad touch football. They will have sore muscles and bruises for a week. While they are moaning and groaning on Monday morning, you'll be comfortable and serene, enjoying your memories of being the first, and the last, in line at the buffet table and how much fun it was to graze uninterrupted on those marvelous desserts.

3. Appreciate your daughter's school play.

All those skinny, active mothers have been working for weeks to get everything prepared. The benefits of obesity became crystal clear when you were not even asked to paint scenery, hang curtains, set up chairs, or walk the neighborhood to solicit contributions. You can limit your involvement to showing up for the performance, fresh and unstressed, gratefully eying the tasty snacks set out for afterwards.

4. Make the amusement park comfortable.

The wheelchairs provided for the disabled and the obese are a heavenly way to see the entire park. Every other adult becomes exhausted as the day wears on, tired of waiting in lines and walking miles to get to the rides the kids want. You are cool and comfortable as they wheel you around. As the others get grumpier, the kids flock to you and lament that their parents don't maintain your interest and encouragement of everything they want to do. And on the long drive home, when others are too tired to eat, you still have energy left for a burger and fries. 5. Make your vacation complete.

No one even considered suggesting a camping trip or a week at the beach, did they? No, they knew your idea of a treat was a short road trip with stays at deluxe hotels with soft beds, room service, and a concierge at your beck and call. Let the others take a walk around town while you lie down with a good book or television show. When they return and, over dinner, tell you of the sights they've seen, you can listen intently while mentally rating the local cuisine based on your vast gastronomic expertise.

Ah, life's good!

P. S. If you take this seriously, get yourself to a nutritional therapist, toute suite.



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Jane Toombes asked:


Along the British Columbia coast you will find a coastal road called Highway 101. It is the world’s longest highway extending from Castro in Chile to Lund in British Columbia, a total of 15,020 km. The section between Gibsons, north of Vancouver to Lund, some 150 km northwest is known as the Sunshine Coast offering tourist and locals alike stunning scenery and a truly beautiful drive (with a couple of ferry crossings thrown in).

If you are planning on touring the Sunshine Coast you will probably be starting your journey from the Vancouver area, so will need to take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver across to Langdale. The journey will take approximately 40 minutes and will cost around $10 per adult depending on the time of year. Make sure your camera is handy as you sail between islands such a Howe Sound and Bowen Island.

Once you reach Langdale you drive south along Highway 101 to Gibsons which is known as the “Gateway to the Sunshine Coast.” It is also known as the location of the TV series The Beachcombers. Although filming no longer takes place some of the places seen in the series are still there to see such as Molly’s Reach restaurant and the pier. Although not a huge tourist destination it is perhaps worth spending a little time here to explore the harbour front  and take in the views.

The town is home to around 4,000 people and has recently undergone a revitalization which included the downtown area and the harbour as well as creating the Winegarden Waterfront Park which opened in 2001. This area includes ponds, play areas, walkways, boardwalks, wetlands, watercourse and is wheelchair accessible with beautiful views over the coast.

Once back on the 101, your next stop will be Roberts Creek, a quaint town which has become a haven for artists and craftspeople. It is known as the “Gumboot Capital of the World” a symbol adopted by the Gumboot Acoustic Society and the Gumboot Garden Cafe.

Whilst here, apart from visiting the town itself you will want to take a look at Roberts Creek Provincial Park located a couple of kilometres north of the town. The park covers an area of 40 hectares with cedar forests. The park has several trails as well as campsites and is wheelchair accessible. The beach area offers excellent picnic facilities where you can watch the ocean and if you are lucky see seals and whales pass by.

The next place you will come to is Sechelt which itself is not an especially stunning location, however just north of the town is Porpoise Bay Provincial Park which is definitely worth a visit. The park has easy to walk trails and access to Angus Creek known for its salmon population. The park covers an area of 4 hectares and includes campsites, playgrounds, picnic areas and facilities such as toilets and showers.

Once you have taken in the beauty of Porpoise you can continue north to Halfmoon Bay. This bay is protected from the open sea by Thormanby Island making it a peaceful location to watch the world go by. Here you will find a pretty coastline, harbours and wooded shores. This area is known for its arts and crafts and is home to several galleries as well as many home studios that locals open to the public.

The next location on your trip will be the equally romantically named Secret Cove which has become a popular summer destination for tourists. The town offers some of the best fishing available along the coast and this alone attracts many visitors and locals alike.

Smuggler’s Cove Marine Park is also located here and is another favorite. There are several hiking trails which are easy to navigate as well as campsites and other facilities.

Back on the road and your next stop off will be the area known as Pender Harbour, if you can find it! This area consists of many islands and three communities: Madeira Park, Garden Bay and Irvines Landing. Even the locals have trouble getting their bearings in this area as it forms a complex maze of inlets, coves, lakes, islands and reefs. There are freshwater lakes and salt water coves and where one begins and another ends is open to much guess work.

The harbour is home to many boats and yachts which are moored here and the deep clear waters are world renowned for excellent diving and underwater photography opportunities.

This is a great location for kayaking and other water sports as much of the water is sheltered making it ideal for leisurely boating.

If you visit during May be sure to plan your visit round Victoria Day when the area celebrates May Day with games, activities, crafts, music and an outdoor barbecue. Fun for all is guaranteed.

Okay, so if you did manage to find Pender Harbour you can now return to Highway 101 which now travels inland and heads towards Earl’s Cove. Here you will need your sea legs again as another ferry journey is in order. You will need to get on the ferry to Saltery Bay which crosses the Jervis Inlet and takes around 50 minutes and again costs around $10 per adult. .

You will not need or want to stop at Saltery Bay as it really is just a ferry terminal. Instead you will get back on the road and continue northwest to Powell River. This is an area made up of several communities including Cranberry, Wildwood, Lang Bay and the largest, Westview.

Westview is the main destination for travelers as it offers the most amenities with hotels, restaurants and stores. If you visit during August you may experience the Blackberry Festival which has nothing to do with personal electronic devices but more to do with those lovely berries we pick from the many bushes located here. The festival coincides with the peak of the blackberry season and is a week-long party featuring music, dancing, crafts and a street party.

From Powell River you can also take ferry trips to Texada Island or across to Vancouver Island to the town of Comox.

The area north of Powell River leads up to Lund which is the last destination on  Highway 101 and the gateway to Desolation Sound. The most famous landmark here is the Lund Hotel which overlooks the ocean. Lund is used by tourists as a staging point for trips to the northern British Columbia coast, Savary Island and Desolation Sound.

Desolation Sound Marine Park is known around the world s a premier sailing area. It offers stunningly beautiful scenery with bays, coves and waterways that attract boaters and paddlers worldwide.

There are lots of camping opportunities along the coast as well as activities such as kayaking, canoeing and backpacking. If you don’t have your own equipment, there are plenty of places where you can rent everything you need for a few hours or a few days.

The Sunshine coast not only offers tourists an excellent place to visit, but it also offers an excellent way of life for those who choose to live here.

Many of the communities, particularly those to the south are close enough to commute to Vancouver if you have a job in the city. You can get the best of both worlds by living in relative isolation, but still have all the amenities you need close by or be a short hop to the city.

There are many types of real estate in the area from single family homes to condominiums. Some offer cheaper alternatives to those seen in Vancouver, however for that special waterfront home you really can expect to pay in excess of a million dollars for that million dollar view.

Although the area is great for families with schools and local amenities, many also choose to retire here. The relaxed way of life along with great health care, recreational facilities and social community gives seniors exactly what they are looking for without being too far away from city life. The Sunshine Coast certainly has something for everyo



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Cindy Heller asked:


There are many accessories that can be added to your wheelchair to make it more personal or to make your life more convenient. They may seem insignificant, but you will surprise to find out that they are indeed useful.

The first wheelchair accessory that you want to consider is a small tote attached to the side of the chair. You can put magazines and books in it so they are always close at hand. A holder for glasses or bottles would be a valuable addition as well so you do not need to go to the kitchen every time you feel thirsty.

Totes and pouches for wheelchairs come in various types and sizes. Depending on your needs, you can attach some of them on the back of the seat to place stuffs that you purchase and you can even put a small tote on the arm of the wheelchair to hold small items.

If you like to go outdoors, you can get wheelchair umbrella to protect you from the sun and rain. Wheelchair cover is useful for traveling long distance so your wheelchair is protected from the surrounding environment. Stickers are a good idea to decorate and personalize your wheelchair.

How about adding some extra cushions?

Since it is likely that you will use the wheelchair for a long period of time everyday, cushions are important to increase your comfort. Wheelchair cushions come in different colors and styles, but you may want to focus more on size and comfort because it is more important for you to enjoy your ride.

Most people think that cushions are only to be placed on the seat and back of the wheelchair. Perhaps those two are the most common and essential locations, but they are not limited only for those places. You can put cushions on your armrests, foot rests, and even on the handles if you tend to need others to push you around.

Choosing wheelchair tires

Tires are important parts of your wheelchair because they are the replacement of your legs. There are many types of wheelchair tires depending on the purpose and the surface where you will use the wheelchair. If you use it on rough roads, you should choose broad and strong tires that have good durability to stand the rough condition.

If you use it for playing sports, your wheelchair will move at high speed and make sudden turnings. In this case, you have to choose wheelchair tires that are strong, durable, and stable, not easy to slip. There are also wheelchair tires for carpet and sand surface.

Last consideration is that you should considering having a spare tire. It is possible that your current wheelchair tire breaks. If you have a spare tire, you still can use the wheelchair while waiting for the service company to provide you with a new tire. Without a spare, you will be stranded and cannot go anywhere.

The prices of wheelchair accessories mentioned above are varied depending on the features, quality, and functions. Most of them are relatively inexpensive. If you want to find more information, you should visit your nearest medical equipment store so you can try the accessories directly as well. It is better if you browse around the internet first so you will have some background information before visiting the store.



wheelchairs

anthonyrobbins asked:


Wheelchair platform lifts are ideal accessibility options for older and disabled people. Using these devices, these individuals can reduce the accessibility problems in their homes or offices and gain more freedom, mobility and independence. These lifts are effective solutions which are designed to lift a disabled person or an old person from one floor to another while comfortably sitting in it. These can be operated either using electricity or hydraulic technique.

Wheelchair platform lifts that are greatly popular among the older and disabled people are safe and easy-to-use, featuring multiple applications and outdoor or indoor installation options. There are several models of wheelchair lifts available nowadays to satisfy every need. Of them, vertical and inclined wheelchair platform lifts are more popular. Both these lifts are available in permanent and portable models. Permanent vertical lifts are suitable for public and commercial establishments. The main advantages of portable lifts are ease of application and unique portability.

Vertical wheelchair platform lifts are proven performers that ensure a safe and reliable means of vertical access. Most effectively used as an alternative to ramps and to low rise elevators, these lifts are smart solutions to architectural constraints. Available in both open and enclosed configurations, these cost-effective and space saving lifts can be installed outdoors, indoors, freestanding or in a hoist-way. Safety features that are commonly included in these lifts are emergency stop button, constant pressure control buttons, under-platform obstruction sensors, final limit switch, and anti-slip flooring.

The inclined wheelchair lifts, on the other hand, are a great accessibility solution used by older and disabled people for accessing stairways in multi-level buildings. These lifts can lift people up and down straight or curved stairways. Usually called wheelchair stair lifts, these lifts are available either as wall-mounted or structure supported. They are designed to accommodate most types of wheelchairs. All the popular inclined platform lifts are engineered with safety features giving maximum safety and support to the users. These have safety options to encounter an obstruction, to control speed and to fold ramps into a safety position to secure wheelchairs when not in use.

Whether you are buying wheelchair platform lifts for domestic or public environment, select the right one. These devices should be tailored to the user’s specifications and the surroundings. Savaria Concord, ThyssenKrupp Access, Garaventa and Adaptive Engineering are the major lift manufacturers offering highest quality lifts for residential or commercial use.



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