Slow Down and Save!!!

How much was that part??
Brent and Sue working on my chair repair!

Friday is my rehab day least wise right now—since the State has gone back to the five day work schedule I a having to burn my Sick leave to achieve my rehab. My physical therapist (PT), Sue has been incredibly supportive which is really, a breath of fresh air. I knew going into this morning rehab session I was not going to get rehabilitation as much as some sort of rehabilitation for my powerchair.

As of last night I was still using the foot plate ( which is still on the chair, I fold it upright hen I use the leg hangers). I knew Sue would be upset when I showed up for rehab without the hangers on sincee tat was the whole idea of using then hangers for a week. Then making adjustments when at my Friday rehab session. I was still hopeful, that Sue might be able to figure out how reattach the hanger piece I destroyed on Tuesday. This piece was pretty compromised when I ran the peddle into the crown of the street but if it could be straightened it might just work long enough till I an get the part shipped in.

DD and I had breakfast at the University hospital cafeteria and waited for my session. Sure enough Sure was disappointed but she also jumped right into the problem and attempting a solution. Brent my durable medical sales guy soon showed up and then new P.T. Student joined. We had a team working on my problem. About the only rehab I got this morning was when Sue placed my dangling feet on the red box. Fixing the problem today is the band-aid quick fix—I was not going to or at least drag my feet but I decided I had better just order the piece into the shop and make change. The part itself will cost $90.00 and if they have their staff puts the piece on that will jack the price another $90.00—ouch what go do.

My problem is I like the speed of my chair just too damn much—this get me when I come down an incline and when I bottom out and start my climb I usually push my pedals into the pavement which has caused my problems. I think the chair has a real design issue and be that asst may, I am going to have to learn to live with it....slow down and live a more careful life—drat!! The on going costs are just prohibitive. I was thinking some kind of behavior modification regimen—I am going to have to live my life at a slight tilt—whether I like it or not. I was thinking perhaps I could attach something to my chair which would prevent me from leveling my chair to the point where I will start ramming the street. Then I as thinking why not tie some sort of adverse stimulus to me and running my chair level, balls out. Electric shock! I bet electric shock would produce a quick learning curve—no one else in the group liked the idea but maybe some sort of sound stimulus could sound out when I was at a perilous hanger angle. Either way I am going to havee to do something this wheelchair living is just too expensive!