loulou
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Post by loulou on Jun 10, 2019 17:26:32 GMT -5
I’ve been thinking about you guys in chairs & how you feel about that piece of equipment that is a vital element in your life.
I daresay how you answer will depend upon several things; your individual disability, whether that disability is congenital or acquired, the severity of your disability & of course most importantly your personality.
* How do you view your chair? Do you see it merely as a functional tool that enables you to mobilise or as an extension of yourself?
* Does your chair define you in any way & if so, how?
* How often are you out of your chair & for how long? When out of it do you feel a sense of freedom or one of isolation?
* How would you explain your relationship with your chair? Do you love the way it liberates you but hate that it’s a necessity or are you indifferent to it?
Thanks again guys.
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Post by britishtetra on Jun 10, 2019 18:01:22 GMT -5
Hello Lou, next year I hit thirty years since my accident, and as today is still my birthday I will be honest with you.
When I first got hoisted into a chair for the first time I hated it, light headed, being pushed around is unbearable. It was a case of put me back to bed, rather than being pushed. After about four months my right arm got stronger, I’m C4/5 tetraplegic and I got my first electric wheelchair. A tortoise in speed, but freedom eventually! Over the years I am glad of it, it is just a piece of equipment, yet without it I suppose I’m lost. I am now using a Tdx with the seat system and it’s magic, yet I am not. I am in bed 20 hours a day and my wheelchair is beside my tilt-table, yet now I crave for it. Every chance I get in it I’m out, it took me 27 years to go down the country lane where I live. My four hours will hopefully build into more, 6-8 hours etc. My chair is not me, but I understand that I will forever need it… like wearing a leg bag or drinking through a straw. It’s just a piece of kit. Ahh June 10th over, Pete
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Post by sy on Jun 10, 2019 18:30:57 GMT -5
I'm gonna rapidfire these answers.
My chair is my mount. I can't go anywhere without it.
It defines me and I like it that way, I use it to my advantage on stage when telling jokes.
I'm in it most of the day.
How do I explain my relationship with my chair? You know it's just a chair right.
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Post by britishtetra on Jun 10, 2019 18:59:54 GMT -5
Do you use that line Sy? “Hello everyone, I’m Sy and I’m a comic, but I don’t do stand up!”
Pete
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Post by sy on Jun 10, 2019 19:07:01 GMT -5
Do you use that line Sy? “Hello everyone, I’m Sy and I’m a comic, but I don’t do stand up!” Pete Nope that's awful.
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Post by darthoso on Jun 10, 2019 19:51:44 GMT -5
I've had a powerchair since I was almost 3 years old and a powerchair with power seat functions since I was 12, so I don't really think about it. I know what the chair is capable of, how to interface it with my disability (which is changing because of Spinraza) and what it can't do. I'll do things in my chair and not even realize it if I zone out. When I do notice big time is when something is broken, very frustrating. Being out of the chair is just relaxing, especially since I'm in it about 14 hours a day.
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nofacue
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Post by nofacue on Jun 11, 2019 2:11:02 GMT -5
LouLou—-I’m fairly new to this ....I got my chair in 10/16....about 2:1/2 years now. I’m a double amputee...thanks to diabetes, At first I didn’t even think about the chair as anything but a device for mobility,but now it’s still just a device to get from point A to point B. But I respect it now a lot more. I like how SY called it his mount. Lol. It doesn’t define me in my eyes but the ABP do jump to conclusions. Sometimes I think that when SOME ( not all ) .... ABP are quick to judge a person in a wheelchair either with good or bad intentions... Personally, I’d rather have my legs back....they were sexy.....lol
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Post by robbb on Jun 11, 2019 12:17:50 GMT -5
Good thread loulou, and good answers guys. R.
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Michael
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Hi, my name is Michael, looking to chat...
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Post by Michael on Jun 11, 2019 14:13:16 GMT -5
I hate my chair so much that I try to 'hide' it. I am C6 complete and could do with more support for my needs i.e. balance etc but I have this 'thing' stripped down...no arm rests, low back, too narrow so that my body stands out more than it, brakes hidden under the seat etc. When I am put to bed, I have this thing removed from my bedroom. I'm 34 yrs post injury and still can't stand the sight of it, I avoid mirrors as I hate my reflection. It is a government issue as I refuse to buy one, I'd rather donate money to charity than pay a private company and buy a more suitable light weight one. It's not the most hygienic either as I refuse to clean or have it cleaned.
Hey folks, sorry if I'm coming across as a miserable so and so, I actually am a joyful happy bunny most the time, I just hate this thing.
Michael x
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raindrop
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Post by raindrop on Jun 11, 2019 15:11:10 GMT -5
I hate my chair so much that I try to 'hide' it. I am C6 complete and could do with more support for my needs i.e. balance etc but I have this 'thing' stripped down...no arm rests, low back, too narrow so that my body stands out more than it, brakes hidden under the seat etc. When I am put to bed, I have this thing removed from my bedroom. I'm 34 yrs post injury and still can't stand the sight of it, I avoid mirrors as I hate my reflection. It is a government issue as I refuse to buy one, I'd rather donate money to charity than pay a private company and buy a more suitable light weight one. It's not the most hygienic either as I refuse to clean or have it cleaned. Hey folks, sorry if I'm coming across as a miserable so and so, I actually am a joyful happy bunny most the time, I just hate this thing. Michael x At least you are honest and straightforward!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2019 15:42:57 GMT -5
I hate my chair so much that I try to 'hide' it. I am C6 complete and could do with more support for my needs i.e. balance etc but I have this 'thing' stripped down...no arm rests, low back, too narrow so that my body stands out more than it, brakes hidden under the seat etc. When I am put to bed, I have this thing removed from my bedroom. I'm 34 yrs post injury and still can't stand the sight of it, I avoid mirrors as I hate my reflection. It is a government issue as I refuse to buy one, I'd rather donate money to charity than pay a private company and buy a more suitable light weight one. It's not the most hygienic either as I refuse to clean or have it cleaned. Hey folks, sorry if I'm coming across as a miserable so and so, I actually am a joyful happy bunny most the time, I just hate this thing. Michael x I wouldnt even begin to understand your feelings about this, other than to say...perhaps a small part of your dislike may be because your chair is uncomfortable, unsuitable, ugly and dirty ? Is there a chance that if you invested in a chair that suited, you would feel more comfortable? Both literally and figuratively?
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zackamp
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Post by zackamp on Jun 11, 2019 18:03:40 GMT -5
I'm a triple amputee and use prothetics most time. I have what I consider a pretty cool TiLite titanium manual chair with Spynergy wheels, it's small and lite, completely stripped down, and fits me snug. I used it a fair bit for the first year after my injury and then less and less as I transitioned to prosthetics. Now I just use it at home or on days when the prosthetics aren't agreeing with me or for a short trip out and don't want to get all put together. During the first year I went from super self conscious out in public to fairly comfortable and confidant as I discovered I was pretty much either accepted or ignored by people. Now that I've been mostly a prothetics user for a number of years I once again feel self conscious but usually only if I'm meeting up with people who know me as the prosthetics version of me. So ya, it's a cool chair, I feel self conscious in it sometimes depending on the social environment. Thanks for asking.
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Post by Sir Paul on Jun 11, 2019 21:16:20 GMT -5
"This is my wheelchair. There are many like it, but this one is mine." My current "chair" is a mobility scooter. We've been a couple for 25 years. It's not your standard old guy scooter. It's small-ish, has bigger nobby go-kart tires, and probably goes faster than it should while being safe for a guy in my condition. Before this, I used smaller, youth sized scooters called Pony's since I transitioned from walking to rolling, around 8 years old. I've never used or tried using a traditional wheelchair. As my disease has progressed with contractures and muscle weakness, my body has adapted to this particular scooter. I've even tried other scooters - I have two other newer ones that go unused - but nothing works as good as Old Reliable. I'm good for perhaps 3-4 hours in my scooter before my legs, neck, and back start screaming at me to rest. I lean forward when I sit because of my body shape, so my legs and ankles are under constant pressure. My most comfortable position is outside of my scooter on the floor, on my knees and elbows with my legs folded under me. It feels AWESOME to get into this position after a "long" day in my scooter! I do love what my scooter represents (freedom) and I'm VERY protective of it. A lot of that is from the fear that something bad will happen to it and I'll be forced to transition to another scooter that isn't nearly as comfortable for me to use. The thing is a quarter of a century old and they stopped making it a few years after I got it! That means no replacement parts either. This causes me some anxiety My scooter does not define me, though it is complimentary to my personality. I think it's a badass machine despite it's need for some body work, new paint, and ghost flames. It is a great tool. I'm 100% grateful for it's existence, I have never, ever felt even an ounce of shame for being seen in it. It's unique for a "wheelchair" and I'm even a little proud to be seen cruising around in it. It has taken me to some cool places on and off the beaten road. I can understand and empathize how a person with a recent injury or sudden disability would see their wheelchair differently, as a representation of a loss. As a lifelong disabled person, I view my scooter as my access to the world outside my house. Until they figure out how to make my body work better, I'm cool with that.
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loulou
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Post by loulou on Jun 13, 2019 16:30:07 GMT -5
Hello Lou, next year I hit thirty years since my accident, and as today is still my birthday I will be honest with you. When I first got hoisted into a chair for the first time I hated it, light headed, being pushed around is unbearable. It was a case of put me back to bed, rather than being pushed. After about four months my right arm got stronger, I’m C4/5 tetraplegic and I got my first electric wheelchair. A tortoise in speed, but freedom eventually! Over the years I am glad of it, it is just a piece of equipment, yet without it I suppose I’m lost. I am now using a Tdx with the seat system and it’s magic, yet I am not. I am in bed 20 hours a day and my wheelchair is beside my tilt-table, yet now I crave for it. Every chance I get in it I’m out, it took me 27 years to go down the country lane where I live. My four hours will hopefully build into more, 6-8 hours etc. My chair is not me, but I understand that I will forever need it… like wearing a leg bag or drinking through a straw. It’s just a piece of kit. Ahh June 10th over, Pete Hello britishtetra, Firstly I hope you had a an enjoyable birthday 🎂 Thanks for your honesty. 20 hours a day is a long time to be in bed so no wonder you crave the freedom your chair gives you & it’s great the way you feel about the TDX being magic. Similarly 27 years to take go down the country lane; it’s a lifetime Pete. I so admire your resolve & I’m sure you will reach your goal of 6-8 hours a day. Loulou.
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loulou
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Post by loulou on Jun 13, 2019 16:32:24 GMT -5
I'm gonna rapidfire these answers. My chair is my mount. I can't go anywhere without it. It defines me and I like it that way, I use it to my advantage on stage when telling jokes. I'm in it most of the day. How do I explain my relationship with my chair? You know it's just a chair right. I like that your chair is your ‘mount’ sy & that you use it on stage to your advantage. Yeah I know it’s just a chair 🙄🤣 I get it; simple, straightforward- perhaps like you yourself. Is this how your act goes, kinda rapid fire?
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