Running out of Samaritans

Twice now in the same week I have had my chair in the recline position when the chair refused to return to its upright position and each time has been when I have been out on the tarmac early in the morning after I had ‘rattled ‘ a fairly long distance in my power chair, on my way to work.

Thursday I was actually on the train inbound. Yes, I am one of those folk whom will position my chair in the recline position and snatch a few ZZzzzz’s on the way to work. I was totally chagrined when I tried to right myself and nothing would happen—I could lower my chair further in the down position but I could not bring the chair back up. When this happens I turn into a frenzied idiot trying to produce magic and have the chair start\ working, running through all my bits or superstitious behavior until something works or not.. I was beginning to panic as I got closer and closer to my stop and I was still gazing at the ceiling of the train car. There was about only one other person close to me on the train, an older guy bout my age but I had seen him on the train many times. I finally got the nerve to yell or help and sure enough he came over and I was able to talk him into fixing the problem and I got the char operational just as we got to my stop.

I thought I had solved the problem a number of weeks ago when I had been stranded laying back—I got tech to talk me through the problem—there are sensors under my seat which are in place to stop the chair’s to stop the chair from laying back or sitting up is a finger or tail should be in the way—the sensors are pressure plates of protection. I learned that if these were disconnected the stopping would cease at the cost of a broken finger or amputated tail-no sweat. I had the tech make the adjustment and I thought I was home free. So imagine my stress when th\is morning after I had got to the train station and was leaning back trying to catch a few before my bus arrives to take me to the train ( this is another blog entry) I am sitting there on State Street about 0545 actually I am laying there and I realize the chair is ‘frozen’ in the down position knowing my only chance is to be lucky enough the bus driver, when he does come will help- me work through my problem. Believe me there is noone round , walking the street at 5:45 a.m. there hardly even any traffic but there is some. I was doing the moving the joystick forward helplessly hoping something would catch and allow me to come down. I next started flailing my arms as cars would drive by hoping someone would figure out I needed some assistance—a number of folk waved and once again I was getting desperate.
Then all of the sudden an ancient Subaru buzzed past and I noticed a sudden flash of his brake lights as he slowed and turned and swung round come back as asked if I needed help.

Once again I was saved by a Samaritan! So, I am now committing myself to take my chair in again to see if we can unhook the pressure plates again and do it right this time because I am just frightened I am running out of Samaritans.