Upper torso and arm exerciser works for wheelchair users February 15, 2008
Posted by blackbill in Exercise & Fitness.Tags: continuing fitness exercise equipment, Continuing fitness resistance chair, exercise while sitting, resistance chair, shoulder exercise, sit down exercise equipment
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For those people who are wheelchair bound often find it difficult to get exercise and tend to get drooped shoulders from wheeling their chairs.
I found a great device that will help you correct those problems. Continuing Fitness offers the Resistance Chair
and several optional components, especially the Freedom Flex Shoulder Stretcher
that I’m sure will provide the workout you desire. Be sure to check out the many related items for the Resistance Chair.
Again you can find these products at my favorite web site at great prices. AllegroMedical.com
Wheelchair Users – You can go play in the snow or at the beach February 13, 2008
Posted by blackbill in Uncategorized.Tags: all terrain wheelchairs, beach chairs, beach wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, wheelchairs
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I ran across a company (Wheeleez) that makes big fat tires that can be used in soft terrain areas like snow, sand at the beach and thick grass. There are several companies that are making furniture grade PVC wheelchairs, strollers, walkers and the like using the Wheeleez tire products. Click on this Video link to see how well the tires work in the sand. Also, one such All-Terrain Wheelchair product is made by Health Line Medical and can be purchased at Allegro Medical.
I hope to come up with more of these wheelchair alternatives.
EasyPivot Lifter Travels with You February 8, 2008
Posted by blackbill in Wheelchairs & Mobility.Tags: EasyPivot, folding patient lift, Hoyer Lifter, patient lift, portable patient lift, traveling patient lift
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If you or the person you care for is unable to transfer on their own and require a patient lift to be moved then you already know how difficult it can be to travel away from home.
EasyPivot has a different take on patient lifters and believe it or not makes one that is Foldable and Portable. The EasyPivot TVL-601 can collapse into itself down to only 8″ off the floor. Heck, it will even slide under the bed for storage and help keep the room free from equipment clutter. Comes with a travel bag and its own cart – yet only 54 pounds total. Yep, it can handle people up to 210 and 250 (two configurations available)
EasyPivot isn’t a sling type of lifer and admittedly doesn’t work for everyone. You can check out the EasyPivot TVL-601 at my favorite AllegroMedical.com web site. Do yourself a favor and check them and the TVL-601 out.
Family Exercise & Fitness on Spoked Wheels February 6, 2008
Posted by blackbill in Exercise & Fitness.Tags: bike riding, bike trailers, exercise, fitness, Instep
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I know this writing isn’t about wheelchairs, but it is about equipment with spoked wheels so in my view it counts.
It might be snowing still – but SPRING is right around the corner and you need to start thinking about ways to stay fit. One of those ways is to involve the whole family and go bike riding.
Are you one of many families that would like to take bike trips but have “little ones” that prevent it? There is a way around that problem.
A couple of years ago I bought these two Bicycling Accessories by INSTEP from Allegro Medical for my daughter’s family and they still rave about how much fun they have with them. They loved to bike ride but with three boys (ages 1 to 6 at the time) it made it impossible. However, with the addition of Take 2 Bike Trailer and Pathfinder Bike Trailer they were able to take all three boys along and still enjoy a nice exercising bike ride together. Not only did they get to take the boys along, but at the same time the oldest was learning how to ride a bike by riding the “bike like” Pathfinder. Now he rides his own bike and his little brother is now on the Pathfinder and learning as well. Dad said one day mom didn’t want to ride so they really turned heads when they hooked the Pathfinder to his bike and then hooked the Take 2 Trailer behind it and all three units went down the road. He said the pedaling help of the 2nd rider made it really easy. They still thank me for the gifts.
If you like to run or jog, take a peek at the jogging strollers by Instep on AllegroMedical.com web site as well.
Eating utensils – Is there an Advantage? February 5, 2008
Posted by blackbill in Wheelchairs & Mobility.add a comment
Many people in wheelchairs often have some sort of hand or arm usage difficulties. An area I haven’t really paid much attention to is the person’s ability to use different eating utensils.
There are many styles out there but one seems to be a little different. I am curious if there is an advantage to having a Utensil with Curved Handle over Utensil with Straight Handle as shown in these examples?
I would like to pass the information on to other “wheeling buddies”.
Wide Arm Pad for wheelchair users February 4, 2008
Posted by blackbill in Wheelchairs & Mobility.Tags: wheelchair accessories, wheelchair arm pads, wheelchair arm supports
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I was visiting with a good friend and past customer the other day and discovered he had found a solution to an arm pad problem he was having. I figured why not share it with others.
George is a quadriplegic that does have some very limited use of of his arms. He has a wrist brace on his right arm that allows him to drive his power chair but he has no control of his left arm. However, from time to time it moves with some shoulder movement and he can’t keep it on his arm rest (even the expensive molded ones). He came up with the idea of using a padded writing board which attaches to the left arm of his chair and gives his arm much more horizontal movement and thus doesn’t fall off near as often.
I did some research and found a very similar looking item at AllegroMedical.com. The Therafin Padded Flip Away Arm Support just might be the ticket if you have a similar problem. And it flips up out of the way for easy entry or exit from your chair.
Great power wheelchair or scooter lift for Vans February 1, 2008
Posted by blackbill in Wheelchairs & Mobility.Tags: scooter carriers, scooter lifts, wheelchair carriers, wheelchair lifts
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If you have a full-sized or Mini Van and would like an easy to use automatic lift for your wheelchair or scooter then you will like the BACKPACKER by Silver Star Lifts/Pride. I have personally installed many of these lifts and it is one of the easier ones to install and a breeze to use. I especially like the 12 volt rechargable battery pack for the power source because you don’t have to hard-wire your vehicle (unless you want to). The lift picks up your wc or scooter (without rider) and then retracts it into the back of your van on this track system – all under motor power. All someone has to do is fasten your unit down on the lift’s platform so it won’t slide around while on the road. For people who live in the states where is it HOT (like me) or in the snowy cold ones (used to), this lift is great because your unit is carried inside and out of the elements. The lift must be custom ordered for your van model and will come with all the necessary hardware to install it. While you are out on their site, you can also check out other lifts and carriers offered by Pride Mobility. I don’t see the BackPacker listed on my favorite AllegroMedical.com web site – will have to call them and see if they can add it. They always have good prices for the valued product. And you can also check on “Automotive Rebates” that many vehicle manufacturers offer for “add-on” mobility products.
Save your caregiver’s back – Powered Wheelchair Carrier January 31, 2008
Posted by blackbill in Wheelchairs & Mobility.Tags: hitch mounted wheelchair carrier, manual wheelchair carrier, power manual wheelchair carrier, Silver Star, wheelchair carrier
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Are you or a loved one in a larger than normal manual wheelchair? I know how much of a PAIN it can be folding and lifting a chair in and out of your trunk or back of your van or SUV.
You might want to look at this Pride Mobility Power Tote for Manual Wheelchair I found at Allegro Medical. It mounts into a Class I square receiver hitch and works with an electric motor to raise the chair to be carried behind a vehicle. The unit weighs 34 pounds and can carry a folded manual wheelchair up to 100 pounds in weight.
I also found many other lifts, carriers, and ramps at Allegro Medical. They seem to have a good presentation and low prices.
Stay tuned for more stuff as I run across them.
