Megan Drummond's Blog

Posted by Megan Drummond

Many of you have probably read my recent article on choosing the right cell phone and thought to yourself, “What does she know about trying to use a phone with limited hand use? Has she even tried any of the phones she talks about?”

The answers are a lot and no.

I have lived without the use of my right arm or hand since I was a child. And, no, I haven’t tried out any of the phones I discussed. I was lucky enough to find on that works perfectly for me as soon as I started to look for one. I have a Motorola Motorazr and would like to add it to the list of the best cell phones for the disabled.

While it is thin, the Razr is wide, making it easy told hold on to. One of my major concerns was that I wouldn’t be able to flip it open fast enough to answer when a call came in. For those of you with similar concerns, the phone has a spring in the hinge, making it necessary for the phone to be only partially opened. The spring does the rest.

Once the phone is open, it is easy to navigate. The Razr also has a large display and large, lighted keys. The phone will also say the name the contact you select from your contact list or say each individual number you dial, helping to ensure that the visually impaired call the right person.

Posted by Megan Drummond

About a year ago, Nintendo introduced a new game console, the Wii. The Wii uses handheld wireless remotes containing motion sensors to let the player control the characters in the game they are playing. The sensors in the remote are connected to the sensor bar that sits on top of the television and picks up even the slightest movement of the player’s hand.

So how can this provide some exercise for those with limited mobility?

As case in point would be me. I got my Wii last January and hardly a day passes that I don’t use it. I found that Wii Sports is a fun way to get some exercise.

With games including baseball, tennis, bowling, golf and boxing, there is something for everyone of every mobility level. A half an hour of making precise tennis swings or trying to hit as many home runs as you can is more of a workout than you would think. For those of you who have use of both arms, try boxing. Throwing punches and avoiding jabs from your opponent with both arms swinging can be a lot of work.

And with the additions of new games all the time, there’s something to suit everyone.

Just cinch the remote strap around your wrist and you’re on your way. I’ve read that people who are not able to grip the remote use duct tape or medical tape to secure the remote in their hand. An Ace bandage would also serve this purpose nicely.

So go turn on your video games and get exercising!

Posted by Megan Drummond

Back in June, my fiancé showed my iBOT’s website. I was thinking about looking into getting a different type of wheelchair after the fiasco with my back tires and because Permobils’s, in my opinion, are getting more and more expensive and at the same time, more cheaply made. This is my third Permobil chair and by far the worse one.

So I looked into the iBOT more closely. When I saw a link to schedule a test drive, I jumped at the chance. I called to schedule an appointment and was quite shocked at the conversation. The customer service rep will ask you how much you weigh, how tall you are, if you are prone to spasms, seizures or blackouts, how wide the seat of your current chair is and what hand you drive with, among other things. I had no idea why they would need to know anything more than which side to put the control panel on.

After I drove the chair in September, though, it all became clear. The chair is calibrated to your center of gravity so that it will move with you and can balance without giving you the feeling that you’re going to fall. It is an incredible chair and I am so glad I got the opportunity to drive one. As I write this, I am waiting for someone to call me back so we can set up an evaluation and take the next step in the process of getting me one.

If you are interested in an iBOT, I encourage you to visit their website and schedule a test drive. Have all the above information handy when you call. The iBOT truly does let you experience the world in a whole new way.

Posted by Megan Drummond

That balance for me seems to be two years. I can’t seem to keep a personal care attendant for any longer.

Which leads me to wonder: What am I doing wrong?

After my most recent aide walked out last week, I thought long and hard about it and decided, as cliché as it sounds, it’s not me, it’s her.

The trouble with my most recent aide began at the beginning of June, when my fiancé began working nights again. She began calling off, something she’d rarely done before. It started with once every two weeks, then once a week and progressed to twice a week. Because I like to believe the best of everyone, it took me until last week when she was a no call, no show, to realize that she was taking serious advantage of Ian being home with me in the morning.

When she came to work the next day, she did apologize for her absence and blamed it on her 15-year-old daughter, who didn’t wake her. On Wednesday, she informed me that she was leaving to pick up her daughter, who was ill, from school. She told me “You can fire me if you want.” I said that I was going to have to and before I could say if you call off again, she started screaming at me and stormed out.

I’ve had a handful of PCA’s over the years. They all started out wonderfully and got worse over time. From one who decided she’d start setting her own hours to one who stole medication, I’ve hired them all. And now I’m on the hunt for a new attendant. If I get really lucky, maybe I can find one who will last, at least, until Ian finishes culinary school and we relocate to North Carolina.

Posted by Megan Drummond

It’s all a matter of trial and error. You want to find a service company that is reliable, does good work and is able to meet your repair needs in a reasonable amount of time. To do this, you need to try at least two different companies.

If you don’t want to do this every time you need a repair, call several companies and ask some questions. Ask to speak with someone more knowledgeable about the repair business than the receptionist.

A few of the questions you should consider asking are:

• Do they accept your insurance?
• Do they keep parts for your brand of chair in stock or will they need to order the parts?
• How quickly will they be able to get to you to do the repairs on your chair?

This last question is especially important if you live in a small town where there is not likely to be a wheelchair repair company. This is an important aspect because, otherwise, you may be waiting quite a while for your repairs.

This is the situation I’m in right now. I’ve been waiting seven months for a simple set of back tires for my Permobil. After not hearing from Presque Isle Rehab Technologies (a warning to all those of you who live within the “service area” of the Erie, Pennsylvania-based company) all winter, they finally called me in late June wanting me to make the 80-plus mile drive to their building. They called me three times after that, each time giving me less than 24 hours notice when one of their repairmen would be in town. I told them that I do have a life and sometimes make plans and that they needed to give me 48 hours notice, minimum.

And I haven’t heard from them since.