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Sunday, November 9, 2008

What a broken wheelchair means

Dave writes movingly in his post I Cease to Be, about the effect of a broken wheelchair and the unavailability of a replacement on his life - even for one day.

Then there's 11 year old Stephanie, who ran into red tape and couldn't get to school because of a broken wheelchair.

There's also waiting for the wheelchair guy, leaving you kind of stuck.

Plenty more folks in that boat.

God bless the folks out there who do understand and work hard to fix broken wheelchairs

and find other ways to keep us rolling.

5 comments:

Edward said...

Wow, is this a timely post. My front left wheel broke off a week ago Friday as I was coming out of a restaurant. Fortunately, I was able to get home, and my wheelchair supplier was able to get me a rental chair the next day. I'm still waiting on the replacement parts; they're expected to all be in this week.

Ruth said...

Edward - Ack!! I had that happen on a chair once and didn't get injured, but it was scary. Hope you weren't hurt.

Glad the parts are coming in and you were able to get a rental chair.

Edward said...

It's the second time it's happened with this particular chair, though the last time was 5 or 6 years ago.

I've had this wheelchair since before the 9/11 attacks. I might soon be looking into purchasing a new chair and keep this one as a backup.

Edward said...

And don't worry, I wasn't hurt. From what I could tell, the wheel didn't actually come off until I was AT my car. But this restaurant has a very bumpy ramp, and that may have caused the bolt that fastens the fork assembly to the journal to break.

My supplier is being very thorough. In addition to the replacement bolt, they've ordered new casters and forks for both sides, and a bolt for the right side, just in case they are needed (they haven't inspected my wheelchair yet to see what else might need fixing). I did tell them also that my right journal bearings need to be replaced.

You know, reading your blog over the past year or so I've come to realize that I've been uncommonly blessed. I encounter my share of barriers, sure, but I also have somehow managed to avoid a lot of the difficulties you have encountered. I say this not to make you jealous, but to remind myself that I need to look out for my fellow disabled folk who have more difficulty than I do.

Ruth said...

Edward- You know, I think we all need to remind ourselves of that.

I've been very blessed myself by having people in my life who have extended themselves in so many many ways, I can't even count them. From their example, I've learned that it really matters whether I act or not to help another person when God puts him or her in my path.