New Year, New Me

At the start of the new year, many people will make resolutions to get healthier, but have a difficult time sticking to their plans. I’m no different. I always wanted to get in shape, but never thought that it was possible. Because I’m a quad-amputee and a power wheelchair user, I was always worried about my physical limitations. My own anxiety made me think that it would be impossible for me to get in shape. I was both overwhelmed, and was unsure of how to start. But with a bit of ingenuity and help from family and friends, I quickly realized that this goal was actually possible! If you’re in a similar situation, I hope that my fitness experience can teach you about adapting exercises to make them more accessible.

Making the decision to work out is the first step. Before beginning, you should determine your ultimate fitness goals. Is losing weight your top priority? Maybe you’re looking to strengthen yourself to increase your mobility? No matter what your expectations are, your main goal should be an overall, healthier you!

Now, to lead a healthy lifestyle, I didn’t realize how committed I needed to be. Fitness requires you to pay attention to a few things, simultaneously! Firstly, you need to make sure that you’re eating healthy food. Most people don‘t realize how important it is to eat healthy, and to consume the right amount of calories. Qualities like your weight, your body type, and your weight-loss target, will impact the amount of calories you should be eating. 

All of these factors can be very confusing. Honestly, I still don’t understand all of them. Luckily, there are a variety of tools that can guide you along your journey. Apps like Under Armour’s MyFitness Pal are extremely useful. Based on your current weight, height, and weight loss target, MyFitnessPal calculates the appropriate amount of daily calories that you should eat. Just type in the food that you’ve eaten for each meal, and the app will keep track of everything. It can even factor in the calories that you’ve burned from your exercise routine. For those who have dietary restrictions or diabetes, be sure that you talk to your doctor before planning out a proper diet plan.

In addition to healthy eating, exercising is the second piece to solving the weight loss puzzle. This part can be particularly challenging for people with physical disabilities, myself included. If you are unsure about your limitations, and to prevent you from sustaining any injuries, it might be a good idea to ask your physical therapist, occupational therapist, or primary doctor, to provide you with a bit of guidance. It’s also important to remember that it takes time to get in shape. When you begin working out and dieting, this process may seem frustrating. Please remember to be patient with yourself. As long as you stick to your routine and continue to be persistent, your hard work will absolutely pay off.

When I began my weight loss journey, I started by focusing on cardiovascular health. My brother, who is currently in school to become a physical therapist, helped me to develop a program. Based on the concept of circuit training, he created a series of exercises that would allow me to burn an optimal amount of calories, which would then help me to lose weight.

For my cardio work out routine, I perform the following exercises:

• 1 minute of trampoline jumping
• 30 seconds of crunches
• 30 seconds of crawling
• 30 seconds of rolling
• 30 seconds of hopping on the ground
• Rest for 30 seconds and repeat

One area of exercise that concerned me the most was weight lifting. Though I’m a quad-amputee, I’m fortunate to have great motor skills. However, when I decided that I wanted to build muscle, I had one, glaring question: how could I lift weights without hands? A friend and I visited a sporting goods store to see if we could piece together a solution. Because my arms are so short, many straps would slip off. We finally found a set of ankle straps that would fit, which also had metal rings attached to them. Next, I bought 55 lb. and 100 lb. weight bands. These bands were perfect because they could easily attach to the ankle straps. A door anchor was the final piece of equipment that I bought, which gave me a safe way to secure the weight bands.

Purchasing the right equipment was yet another starting point. After working together, my friend and I discovered a number of ways to arrange the bands. Even though some exercises might look funny, they allow me to work different muscle groups. If you also have a physical disability, your exercises might look strange to the average person. Adapting these exercises to fit your own needs and limitations will be important for your own success. Who knows, they may even help you gain new strength, or help you function in ways that you never thought were possible.

My original goal was to learn how I could independently lift weights. If you want to work out but think that you may need help, there is nothing wrong with asking for assistance! It became very clear that I’d need help to weight train, at least at my current stage. Whether you can employ the help of a knowledgeable friend, or need the added guidance of a personal trainer, there are a variety of options that are available to you. Just remember: you’ll never know until you ask.

Regardless of your abilities, it can be very stressful to begin a fitness and diet routine. The most important step, and probably the most difficult, is starting. Accomplishing this goal can be very difficult because it might require you to make significant lifestyle changes. But once you set up a routine, sticking to it will become second nature. More than anything else, please remember that results won’t show over night. Patience and dedication are key to living a healthier life.

Want to see all of my work out equipment? Click the following links to learn about each piece:

• Fitness Gear Pro 50 lb. Resistance Tube
• Fitness Gear Pro 100 lb. Resistance Tube
• Fitness Gear Pro Ankle Straps
• Fitness Gear Pro Door Anchor
• Trampoline

Author:

Kyle Romano

Giving The Perfect Gift

What's the greatest thing about the holidays? More than any other time, this season brings us together to show appreciation for our families, friends, and loved ones. One of the reasons that I love the holidays so much, is that they give me an excuse to buy heartfelt gifts for those I care about most. Exchanging presents has a certain magic to it, especially if they are thoughtful, functional, decorative, or even silly. It's the perfect way to show people that you care, and that you're thankful for everything they do. Whether you're picking something out for either a relative or friend, choosing the perfect gift can be difficult. Fret not, festive readers! I'm here to help.

Sometimes, finding that perfect gift might require you to think outside the box. This idea is true for everybody, but can be especially true for friends and family members who have a disability. Personally, I've been a power wheelchair user for about 30 years. Some of the most memorable gifts that I've ever received were particularly useful, because I'm a wheelchair user. To get some ideas, lets take a glimpse into the daily needs of wheelchair users and people with disabilities. This is the part where you should start taking notes.

To come up with a great idea for a gift, you should try thinking from a different perspective. Particularly, if you are buying a present for a person with a disability, imagine that you are in their position. If you were them, what would you like? What would make your life easier?

Whether you have a disability or not, most people rely on their mobile phones to do a variety of things, such as paying bills and keeping in touch with relatives. If you are able-bodied, I have a thought experiment for you. Even though you probably use your phone all the time, have you ever thought about how you use it? Do you carry it in your pocket? Do you pick it up and hold it with your hand? Let's throw a monkey wrench into this synopsis. What if you were missing a hand? What if you had difficulty holding things? If either of these scenarios were true, you'd need something to carry your phone for you. There are a number of phone mounts, usually designed for cars, which can be brilliantly repurposed for wheelchair users. In the past, I've fastened my phone to my wheelchair with everything from Velcro to a magnetic phone cradle. Even though these fixes are pretty cheap and easy, they've allowed me to be extremely independent. While it may have slipped under your radar at first, you might know somebody who could use a new phone holder or an improvement to their current solution.

Technology is wonderful because it can make our lives so much easier. Whether you are elderly, young, disabled, or able-bodied, we've all fumbled with, run into, tripped over, or run over things at night. One of those things might've been your brother's foot. Sorry, Kent. Something as simple as a motion-sensing light can prevent night time accidents, while saving a some toes in the process. For wheelchair users like myself, it can be scary to drive our wheelchairs around the house at night. With just one slip up, we could easily put a hole in the wall. While saving you the hassle of remodeling your home at 3:00 a.m., this gift idea has an added bonus: it won't break the bank! Motion-sensing light switches cost anywhere between $15-$40 and can be purchased at hardware stores, or from online retailers such as Amazon.

While smart home products may appear more expensive than a motion detector, they are far more versatile and can accomplish much more. As technology has gotten better, these devices have become much more affordable. Whether you have a disability or are able-bodied, smart home technology can make it easier to control lights, thermostats, fans, TV's, and even home alarm systems. Each device can even be monitored and controlled with a phone or a tablet. For people with disabilities, smart home products can help us with some things that give us trouble on a daily basis. While turning on a light may seem trivial to an able-bodied person, it might be extremely difficult for somebody with a disability. Simply having the ability to turn on a light can be a huge deal, and give you some much appreciated, self-confidence. At least, it did for me. That's merely scratching the surface. Every smart home device can be synced to a Google Home or an Amazon Echo, which will let you control everything with your voice. If you are a wheelchair user with a strong voice, or have a big mouth like myself, this particular option could make a huge difference in your life! I can't even begin to describe how happy I was to get rid of the switches and remotes that I used before purchasing this technology. To top it all off, you can even turn on/off multiple things with a single command. These are called "scenes," and I have a few of them set up in my room. For example, one of my scenes is called: "I'm going to sleep." By saying that to my Google Home, my lights and TV will shut off, my fan and the hallway light will turn on, and the Google Home will set an alarm to wake me up in the morning. Smart home technology has helped me be independent in ways that I thought were impossible
If you're anything like me, the holidays will give you some time to catch up on your backlog of video games. Even better, you might have gotten some as presents! Many gamers with disabilities, myself included, may find it difficult to play video games. Fear not, fellow gamers! Microsoft Adaptive Controller is an incredible solution. The controller acts as a hub, meaning that you can plug a bunch of buttons and joysticks into it. It's great, because you can mount these anywhere, including: head arrays, foot plates, and trays. For those of us that can't use buttons or joysticks, Microsoft's Adaptive Controller is even compatible with Sip-and-Puff devices.

Let's shift gears from technology to something a bit more personal: health. Since our bodies are about 60% water, maintaining a healthy lifestyle means that we need to drink a lot of clear fluids. Our home state of Florida tends be a bit hotter than other states in the US. Like anybody who lives in a warm or tropical climate, it's important for wheelchair users to stay hydrated. Since I'm a quad-amputee and a power wheelchair user, filling a glass with water isn't the easiest thing I've ever done. If you're an active wheelchair users like myself, it might be a good idea to have large cups that don't need to be refilled as often. But how can we users carry water? Installing a cup holder on your wheelchair is brilliant, can save a lot of time, and allow you to be more independent. Insulated cups are a perfect fit for these, and tend to carry a lot of water while keeping it cold for hours.

Sometimes, cup holders aren't the best solution because they can stick out and get caught on door frames. With mine, I've certainly dinged up a few door casings. Hydration packs can be a great alternative to traditional cups, and can free up a bit of room on your wheelchair. CamelBak products can be stored on the backrest of your seat, and can even function as another backpack. What's better, is that it has a long straw which can be manipulated and placed in any spot. That's perfect for those of us who have a difficult time moving our neck and head.

I hope that this article has been helpful to you, and has helped to get your creative juices flowing. Have a fun and accessible holiday!

Author:
Kyle Romano

Accessible Travel Tips For Land, Sea, & Air

With the holidays quickly approaching, people will be travelling to visit friends and family from all over the world! Traveling is a wonderful opportunity to broaden your horizons and experience new places, people, and foods. Sometimes, the challenges of traveling with your wheelchair and/or other adaptive devices can put a damper on things. Surprisingly, planning ahead can minimize most of that hassle. Remember: getting there is half the fun! Here are some quick tips to help you get ready for your next adventure! 

Equipment Check-Up

• Before heading out, it’s important to make sure that your wheelchair, scooter, lift, and accessible vehicle are ready to travel. It’s a great idea to have your equipment serviced before you go. Better to be safe than sorry!
• Our Accessible Living articles have some great tips for power and manual wheelchair users, including some great service recommendations. Click here to learn more.

Don’t forget us! Our service team at Custom Mobility can make sure that your equipment is in tip-top shape. Before you hit the road, we’d be happy to check your accessible vehicle, lift, and/or wheelchair. Feel free to give us a call at 800-622-5151, or visit https://www.custom-mobility.com/mobility-services to schedule an appointment. Remember, in case there any parts that may be needed to ordered, be sure to perform any maintenance to your equipment at least 3 weeks in advance.

Air Travel
We can all agree that it’s quicker to travel by plane than it is by car. For wheelchair users, flying is a bit more involved than it is for able-bodied passengers. To learn a bit about guidelines for traveling by airplane, click here. Please note that all travelers must be screened. If you need more assistance, feel free to call the TSA helpline, 72 hours ahead of time at: 855-787–2227.

Unfortunately, airplane aisles are too narrow to accommodate manual or power wheelchairs. If you are a wheelchair user, it is probably best to inform the airline that you need an aisle chair. These devices are the perfect size for squeezing into those narrow aisles and can get you to your seat. Since transferring can be difficult, requesting a seat located in the bulkhead and/or a seat with flip up armrest, will make the process so much easier.

Ever get that feeling like you’re forgetting something? Let’s take a few precautions to be sure that nothing from your wheelchair goes missing! By securing anything that could be separated from your wheelchair, such as cushions, footrests, armrests, etc., you’ll be more like to disembark the plane with all of your belongings intact.

For wheelchair users that have therapeutic cushions, taking this item on the plane will make sure that it isn’t lost, and will help to prevent any skin issues from occurring during the flight. 

Not all ground workers are familiar with wheelchairs. Before you head to the airport, be sure to type up instructions for assembling and disassembling your equipment. It’s also a good idea to speak with the crew, and explain how they should handle your wheelchair.

Expect the best, but prepare for the worst. In case something comes loose or needs adjustment, travel with a small tool kit. If you can, it’s always a great idea to travel with spare parts, such as tires, tubes, etc. If you plan to remain at your destination for an extended period of time, these items not readily available in most stores.

Once you make it onto the airplane, it might be difficult or impossible to move about the cabin. Most airline lavatories are extremely small and difficult to maneuver in. To prevent yourself from needing to use the restroom during transit, it’s a great idea to use the restroom before you board the plane.

Getting around once you land
For wheelchair users, hailing a taxi isn’t always an option. If you need an accessible taxi, here is a list of taxi services that offer accessible rides. In selected cities, Uber and Lyft might offer accessible transport.

For those who can drive with low-tech hand controls, some rental cars can be equipped with portable hand controls. Please call and the check availability with each rental car company.  

In case you need a ramp or other accommodations, it’s possible to rent a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle at your destination. For those coming to the Tampa Bay Area, Custom Mobility has a fleet of accessible vehicles for rent. Just give us a call!  

Road Trips and Accommodations
Staying with family or friends is a great way to save money! If you’re staying at a new location, it’s important to call ahead and ask accessibility-related questions. Don’t forget to ask family and friends to measure entryways, paths, door widths, bathroom space, and bed height. Stairs are like roadblocks for wheelchair users, so be sure to ask if your temporary residence has any. Just in case, it’s always a great idea to purchase a portable ramp and carry it with you. 

For the more adventurous at heart, staying at a hotel is always an option. Proper planning includes making a reservation for an accessible room. A hotel with 200 rooms is required to have eight rooms with accessible bathrooms. Of those, only two are required to have a roll-in shower. Smaller hotels, which have less than 50 rooms, are not required to provide roll-in showers. Remember, planning is key!

Accessible bathrooms typically consist of a bathtub and a bench. This accommodation typically which doesn’t work for those who use a roll-in shower chair. Calling ahead can help you to figure out whether the hotel has accessible bathrooms and, if so, which type they are. For the adventurous at heart who travel often, it might be a good idea to purchase a portable, roll-in shower chair. 

Room size matters too, especially because a wheelchair can take up a lot of space. A suite is often a good idea and might be a good alternative for those occasions when accessible rooms aren’t available. These are better than standard rooms because they offer more space and more bedding options, which is especially great for those traveling with companion. 

When traveling internationally, it’s easy to forget that ADA guidelines are not applicable. Before adventuring to other parts of the world, take special care to research accessibility items such as: curb cuts, steps, door width, elevators, and accessible bathrooms. 

Travel by an accessible RV can be another fun way to hit the road. What’s better, is that you only need to unpack once! Information outlined above, regarding accessible bathroom space and bedding, also applies when renting an accessible RV.

Cruising
Online research is a great way to learn about various cruise lines. Be sure to type “special needs“ or “accessibility” into the search bar, and call the company if you have additional questions. 

Be sure to check their policies on accessibility, especially if you plan to travel alone. 

Travel agents, especially ones that specialize in travel for people with disabilities, can be an incredible resource. These individuals are extremely familiar with the ships, port access, and accessible excursions. They can even arrange for pre- and post-cruise accessible hotel rooms. 

Cruise travelers who have disabilities, may need things that most people don’t consider. Click here to learn about nine of the best cruise lines for people with disabilities.

Wherever you go, enjoy the ride! By taking the proper precautions and preparing for every possibility, you can finally relax and have fun! Life is too short not to. Here’s to wishing you safe travels!

Author:
Mary Carol Peterson

Smart Home, Practical Home

The Google Home and the Amazon Echo have become staples of the modern house, and can be even more integral to the functionality of Smart Home technology. For people with disabilities, it can be extremely powerful to control the home environment through either voice control or the touch of a button. As a quad-amputee and a power wheelchair user, I’ve taken full advantage of this technology. Let me tell you how some of these devices work and how they’ve helped me become more independent.

To get started, you need to figure out what to purchase. Ask yourself: "What am I trying to accomplish?" There are a multitude of products out there, so I would recommend starting small. As a wheelchair user, maybe there is a lamp that you have difficulty reaching. I know that I’ve certainly been there. Smart Home devices can assist you with either turning that pesky lamp on or turning it off, without straining yourself. If you can operate a smartphone or tablet, you can use Smart Home technology control that lamp, or any other lamp in your house. If you have the use of your voice, and experience difficulty using a smart device, you can even use a Google Home or Amazon Echo product to operate your Smart Home devices.

Either way, every product will require you to download some kind of app. Some will require you to purchase a hub, like Samsung’s SmartThings Hub, which can control a wide variety of products, made by a variety of manufacturers. This list includes: Philips Hue, Sylvania, Cree, Leviton, and IKEA, to name a few. These devices range from motion sensors, to lamps, to fans, to in-wall switches, to thermostats, and to even TV’s. All of these devices are operated through the SmartThings app. Some products, such as the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb by TP-Link, don’t require the purchase of a hub. If you plan to add more devices to your Smart Home, I’d highly recommend that your purchase a product like the SmartThings Hub. If you only want to control a few lamps, and don't think that you'll use a variety of Smart Home equipment, hubless light bulbs may be the way to go. Either way, you can't go wrong.


I actually use Smart Home technology in my room, and marvel at the amount of independence that it has given me. Through my Google Home Mini and my Samsung SmartThings Hub, I can operate everything in my room. With my voice, I can control the Leviton in-wall switches, which operate the fan and the bathroom lights. Two lamps are plugged into Leviton Lumina RF Plug-in Dimmers.

All of these switches can be dimmed to my liking. I even use a few devices in unconventional ways. Before I owned Smart Home technology, I needed assistance charging my wheelchair. Now, I’ve plugged my charger into a Leviton Appliance Module, and even have it on a schedule so that it turns on and off at specific times.

Because it’s easy to over- or under-charge wheelchair batteries, this addition has been priceless. Power wheelchair users, take particular note of this product. Additionally, the light for my saltwater aquarium is controlled via a Plug-In Module, and is also set on a timer.

Let my bedroom function as an example of what you can achieve through Smart Home products. In fact, this example merely scratches the surface of the technology’s potential. There are a number of additional devices that can be operated with Smart Home technology, including: air conditioners, blinds, alarm systems, cameras, and even doorbells. All of these products may even be linked to motion sensors, meaning that you would neither need to use an app nor a Google Home or Amazon Echo, to turn them on or off. Smart Home technology could be that one thing, which you never knew that you needed.

Author:
Kyle Romano

What Is An Accessible Vehicle?

Before I even had the desire to drive, my family had a van with a lift. Because of my experiences, I just assumed that I'd always need a chauffeur. After all, how could somebody reach the petals, if they didn't have legs? Whenever I would attend school or physical therapy, all of the other kids would arrive in either buses, or vans that were similar to my own. That's just how things were, and I didn't pay much attention to the idea.

As I reached the age of sixteen, like every other teenager, I started to foster a desire to drive. As a quad-amputee, that entire process would become very complicated, very quickly. I had briefly heard about adaptive driving devices, but had never seen any. Before I graduated high school, I began to work with a counselor from Vocational Rehabilitation. A few years, and a couple counselors later, I was finally approved for driver's training; however, to complete it, I needed my own vehicle.

In a number of these blog posts, I've stated that I'm very happy to live in this day and age. With the advancement of technology, has come increased opportunities and access for people with disabilities. When speaking about mobility vehicles, the availability of reliable solutions has drastically increased. With that, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) stepped in to ensure and certify the quality of mobility vehicles. This approach prevents people from purchasing vehicles with sub-par conversions, and includes warranties that exist alongside manufacturer warranties. As an extension, twenty-four hour, emergency service is also provided.

Now, to the big question: with all of the available options, how do you decide which mobility vehicle will suit your needs? Firstly, anybody in the market for a mobility vehicle should only purchase from an NMEDA certified dealer. Though the first mobility vehicles were vans and mini-vans, trucks and SUV's can now be converted into mobility vehicles.

There are now a number of mobility vehicles to choose from. How do you know which one is the best for you? Many factors of daily living will impact your decision, including: the ages of you and your family, the height and size of wheel chairs and their users, the average amount of passengers and cargo, and the most frequent parking situation for you, including home parking and garage layout.

These considerations will further impact the type of modification that your vehicle needs, which include either side- or rear-entry. One choice is not better than the other; however, your lifestyle will impact the choice that you make. Side-entry vans will grant the wheel chair user access to the middle and front of the vehicle, meaning that they can either ride in the passenger position, or possibly drive the vehicle, themselves. This conversion isn't recommended for individuals who do not have adequate room to load and unload from the side of their vehicle. Rear-entry entry grants the wheel chair user access to the rear and middle of the vehicle, but won't allow the user to ride in either the driver or passenger positions. This conversion is typically recommended for wheel chair users who will not be positioned in the front of the vehicle, and for people who have limited room from loading and unloading from the vehicle.

Additionally, assistive driving devices are available for individuals who experience physical limitations, preventing them from driving a vehicle in a conventional fashion.

Check our inventory for more information about the accessible vehicles that are available for purchase.

Click here to check out Braun Ability's top ten considerations for buying a mobility vehicle.

Author:
Kyle Romano

Staying On Budget And Finding Affordable Options For Accessible Vehicles

Whether you are a parent of a special needs’ child, or an adult with changing abilities, our needs constantly vary. Since this process can be difficult and scary, we’re here to offer you some guidance. Purchasing your first, accessible vehicle may be intimidating; however, it doesn’t have to be! The following tips are designed to steer you through this process, no pun intended.

The first and most important step, is to find an accessible vehicle consultant or specialist. This person will guide you through the entire process, and help you figure out your best options. Depending on your stage of life, and the age of your children, you may have specific needs. The right choice should be cost-effective at the present, and continue to save you money in the future. This step might seem daunting, but finding the right vehicle is more affordable than you think.

Transportation Considerations For Parents

As a parent of a child with special needs, finding a transportation solution can be one of the most polarizing problems. As your child grows and his/her world expands, there are four, primary life stages to plan for. When shopping for the right vehicle, always think about the future. When your child is young, he/she will grow, eventually needing a larger and heavier wheelchair. Naturally, this means that he/she will need more space. To ensure that you get the most out of your investment, it’s key to limit the number of tweaks to any, adaptive equipment. This foresight will save you time and money. By planning, your consultant can often skip some steps. This step is so important because it will ultimately save you money.

As their children grow, most people follow this path of vehicle ownership:

• Young Child: Car or SUV
• Child: Large SUV or Minivan (unmodified)
• Pre-teen: Van with Hitch or Turney seat
• Teen/Young Adult: Accessible Van with a built-in ramp

Young Childhood

Since young children are small, people often continue to use their original vehicles. As they grow, a large percentage of children with disabilities will likely use custom wheelchairs. Whether they use power or manual wheelchairs, these devices require more space. Additionally, these wheelchairs may have adaptive features, which are needed for optimum seating and positioning. If that’s the case, these wheelchairs will be larger in size.

Your child’s therapists’ may also recommend special, adaptive walkers, and/or bath chairs. Due to health-related needs, this equipment will need to accompany your child on vacations and family trips. Finding space for, and transporting this equipment, can be tricky. It can be especially challenging if there are other children in your family; however, before jumping to a larger vehicle, consider the next stages of your child’s life. Some vehicles can be adapted as your child grows, whereas some can’t. For this reason, it’s extremely important to work with an accessible vehicle consultant or specialist. That way, you can make an educated decision, regarding your current and future needs.

Childhood

A growing child takes up an increasing amount of space, and may require a minivan or large SUV to accommodate their changing needs. The medical equipment your child needs may become larger and heavier. Most parents will have the body strength and flexibility to transport this equipment without modifying their vehicle with special hitch, ramp, or lift; however, you’ll want to pause and think about this decision.

Now, your child’s world is expanding with school, after-school activities, play dates, and other, fun outings! You are both getting older. With increased age, comes the risk of back injury and other, overuse syndromes. These maladies could be hazardous to your health, and could even affect your family’s wellbeing. Positive attitudes in the home environment cannot be overstated, which requires everybody remain healthy!

Consider the number of times per day that you will be lifting and bending to assist your child. How many times per week? In addition to lifting your child in and out of the vehicle, by transporting his/her custom manual wheelchair, you put excess strain on your body. What does this mean? Each time that you and your child get in and out of the vehicle, you may have to disassemble or assemble the wheelchair. If a clinician deems that your child is most-suited for a power wheelchair, then a built-in ramp would make it easier to load and unload from your vehicle. These ramps, or even lifts, are among the most popular choices of mobility transportation. Again, it is important to explore your options with an accessible vehicle specialist.

Pre-teen years

During this age, most parents will either add a power lift or built-in ramp to their vehicle. At this point, your child’s equipment will too cumbersome and heavy to lift; therefore, you will run a higher risk of sustaining injury. If you have already purchased a van or SUV, and it can’t be modified, a replacement vehicle will be your only option. Again, planning ahead can help determine the best time to make such a purchase, which will best-fit your current and future budget. Ensuring that you get the most out of your investment is key. By limiting the number of necessary tweaks, you’ll ultimately save more time and money.

Teen/Young Adult Years

Since your child is nearing adulthood, most families consider purchasing a van with a built-in ramp. This option allows for easy on and off loading.

Other Things To Consider:

If You Are Looking To Upgrade Your Ride For Yourself Or A Family Member

Since their humble beginnings, wheelchair accessible vehicles have come a long way. Technology is constantly improving, and accessible vehicles are no exception. For individuals and families living with disabilities, they have quickly become powerful and reliable pieces of equipment. Having access to your community is so important for maintaining independence and a high quality-of-life.

Key things to remember when it’s time to shop:

1. Your Family’s Size

When shopping for a new or used accessible vehicle, one of the most important factors to consider is the overall size of your family. For example, a larger family of five or more children, would need a lot of space. So much, in fact, that they would require a full-size van. The smaller your family, the more likely you are to consider an adapted minivan. Do not forget to compensate for extra guests, caretakers, or friends you may need to accommodate.

2. Your Or Loved One’s Health Condition
Barring the size of the wheelchair, you’ll also need to consider health conditions. Depending on the severity, certain health equipment may always need to travel with you. A rear-entry vehicle may make it easier to load and unload equipment. Compared to side-entry vans, rear-entry removes the need to maneuver wheelchairs and other equipment. With these vehicles, everything rolls into position from the back of the van.

Aside from wheelchair size and additional equipment, knowing your family size and daily lifestyle can affect your choice of vehicle.

If you or a family member use a powered scooter for mobility, there are many lift options that can be added to your vehicle. While in the community or on vacation, these lifts can help you maintain your active lifestyle!

If it is difficult to enter or exit either the driver’s or passenger’s seat, there are adaptive vehicle seats. These chairs swivel and lower for easy and safe transfers in and out of your vehicle, for you or your loved one, too!

3. Finding the right accessible vehicle consultant

Today, accessible vehicles have a number of options. Custom Mobility is a NMEDA Quality Assurance Program dealer. Dealers like us can help answer your questions and confirm you are getting the best solution for your family. Custom Mobility has dedicated and experienced, accessible vehicle specialists. They are always happy to answer your questions, and guide you through the decision process.

The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is an advocate for mobility and accessibility for drivers with disabilities.

Finding and buying a wheelchair-accessible vehicle can’t be rushed. This purchase can potentially redefine your daily experiences, your health, your child’s independence, and the lives of those around you. For these reasons, it’s critical to learn the right, and best, way to shop for a mobility vehicle.

Take this short quiz from BraunAbility to narrow down this process!

At Custom Mobility, we are more than happy to find the perfect vehicle for you.

Author:
Mary Carol Peterson

Mobility Products and VA Benefits:How To Get Help

If you are a veteran and were injured during a conflict, or if you are getting older and have trouble getting around, you may be eligible for help from the Veteran’s Administration. To get help for new equipment, here’s how it works:

1. First, start by making an appointment with your primary care physician, at your local VA Center. He/she will refer you to a VA clinician, who will determine the kind of mobility device you qualify for. This decision is based on an evaluation of your mobility needs.
2. After the equipment evaluation is complete, the clinician will research mobility products. He/she will then determine the most appropriate option for you. His/her choices will maximize your independence, and will be discussed with you. Many times, the clinician will work with a manufacturer’s representative, who has products that are available for you to try at a wheelchair clinic.
3. Once the decision is made, the equipment will be ordered. This entire process could take between 3-6 months.
4. After the equipment is received, you will recieve instructions on proper use of the equipment. Afterward, you’ll return to the VA for any additional, follow-up care. In the Tampa Bay Area, the VA will ask Custom Mobility to deliver the product to you. At this time, we’ll send one of our specialists, who will complete the delivery and demonstrate the set-up process.

What mobility equipment is typically covered?
In most cases, the VA will either give you a wheelchair or a power scooter. There are some instances where you might be entitled to a VA grant that will cover other equipment. This includes a lift for your car, so that you can transport your wheelchair or scooter. If a lift is recommended for you, the Prosthetics Department will order it, and refer the installation to a qualified contractor. Custom Mobility is a local, installation contractor for the Tampa Bay Area, and can complete the work in about two hours. After we have completed the installation process, we’ll provide instruction on using your new lift.

In some situations, an adaptive vehicle may also be considered. Once you have received this kind of grant, driving rehab. programs will train and get you accustomed to entering, exiting, and driving your vehicle. To increase your safety and independence at home , modification grants may also be available. These grants could cover: adding a ramp, widening interior doorways, and/or installing grab bars in the bathroom. All of these examples can make a huge difference to your life. Veterans, who meet these qualifications, may receive as much as $60,000 to make their homes more accessible.

How is the product serviced and/or repaired after delivery?

If you need repairs, parts, and/or service for your equipment, the process is similar. First, you would call your primary care physician, who will write a script for a consult. If you are local to the Tampa Bay Area, a Custom Mobility representative can evaluate your equipment. If you specifically request this service,we can send a quote to the VA for authorization . Why? Custom Mobility has a full-service team of on- staff, repair experts , a full inventory of parts, and a designated work area, to complete the work in a timely manner.

To obtain mobility equipment, financial assistance can be challenging to figure out. Here are some additional resources to help you along this journey:

• https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/278
• https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/
• https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits
• https://www.militaryonesource.mil/military-life-cycle/veterans/make-a-home-accessible-with-department-of-veterans-affairs-programs
• https://www.tampa.va.gov/features/Wheelchair_Clinic_Direct_Scheduling.asp

Author:

Mary Carol Peterson