Some of you may be relieved to read that I have a more positive tone today than on my previous rant! The simple reason for this is that better things happened today.
I got to test-drive an INVACARE MIRAGE POWERCHAIR this morning. This is the third model of power-chair I’ve test-driven, but it’s always been number 1 on my list to buy. And not just because it comes in PURPLE!! It’s also the most comfortable, adjustable and neat power-chair in its class. It comes apart for transporting in the back of the car, and is actually narrower than either of the manual chairs I’ve used and I can drive it right in through my front door.
I’m ordering it through an Irish company, Medifix (http://www.medifixservices.ie), and the staff have been really prompt, helpful and personable. They’re putting in the order hopefully today or tomorrow, and mine will be delivered within about 3 weeks!!
It’s hard to express either my impatience to be mobile or my excitement at soon being able to leave my own front door without having somebody else with me. (Except for Quasi, of course, but she’s more like part of me). It’s hard for me to appreciate that I’ve effectively been under house arrest for nearly two years. Probably because if I’d been thinking that for the last 2 years, I would have gone a lot more insane than I actually have!!
Of course, using a power chair also means that Quasi (my guide-dog) will be able to work properly. She adapts so quickly, and I’m afraid it’s been quite a dull time for her over the last while; and when it hasn’t been dull, she’s been anxious about me. When we’re out in the manual wheelchair, she effectively spends all her time trying not to get entangled in the chair, and trying to stay out of the way and not get run over! I don’t have a hand free to work her with the harness; or else someone is pushing me so she can’t effectively do her guiding work. But she LOVES power chairs!!! It’s just the two of us, traveling at a comfortable pace, she’s doing the navigation and is much less likely to get run over by the chair!!
So, when the new baby arrives, next step will be to PIMP IT!!! Watch this space, boys and girls!!
Today’s Subjective Rating: Pretty good and on an up-swing
Access Adventures in IsoldeLand 
Whoo hoo! I’m really happy for you. I saw one the other day, some enterprising nutcase had put a bike front end on it, extended forks and all.
I hope the three of you are very happy together ;-)
biking
I’m so jealous of the biker-crip!! Unfortunately (or maybe not!), my chair will be limited to 6kmph – plenty fast enough to do myself some damage! Had to laugh today when the rep told me the model had been crash-tested – it never even crossed my mind!
I’ll have to have a “baby shower” when it arrives :)
xox