DIY Wheelchair Prep For Hurricane Season

Note: the following article contains a detailed list of suggestions. Custom Mobility Inc. isn't liable for any damages or accidents that may occur to your equipment.

To better prepare for hurricane season, it’s important to create a strategy as soon as possible. Planning is especially important for wheelchair users, people with disabilities, and our elderly population. If you rely on mobility and medical equipment, how should you begin preparing for this year’s hurricane season?

The First Step: Checking Your Equipment
Whether you use powered or manual mobility equipment, a wheelchair accessible vehicle, other medical equipment, or all of the above, here is an easy place to start. To prevent problems that could affect your equipment during a hurricane, pay close attention to the condition of your wheelchair and other devices. Regular maintenance is always important to protect your health and to keep you safe. Preventative maintenance is especially important during hurricane season, because it could impact your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, or travel to a public shelter. Additionally, scheduling routine maintenance will give us time to properly diagnose any repairs that your wheelchair or scooter may need. In some cases, we might need to order replacement parts, which could take a few weeks to arrive.

Tips For Power Wheelchair and Scooter Users
In wet or rainy conditions, it’s extremely important to protect your joystick from water damage. Covering it with a clear, plastic bag, is a great way to keep water out. If you carry one with you, you’ll always be ready for a surprise shower. It’s also important to try and keep your batteries as dry as possible. In case your battery gets wet, disconnect one battery connector and give us a call. This step will prevent further damage to your wheelchair or scooter until we can help. Did you know that rain ponchos can get caught in your wheels? To avoid a poncho-related mishap, it might be best to wear a fitted rain coat.

For power wheelchair and scooter users, losing electricity can be a pain. Losing power during a hurricane can make things especially difficult. If this happens, you may not be able to charge the batteries of your mobility device. If this happens, what should you do? As a temporary solution, it could be a great option to keep a backup, manual wheelchair.

In case you find yourself in an emergency situation, it’s important that your caregivers, family members, and/or friends, know how to operate all of your mobility devices. Knowing the size and weight of your devices can also help your support system. While evacuating may be scary, it’s reassuring to know that you have assistance.

Manual Wheelchairs
In case of an emergency, it’s just as important to perform maintenance on your manual wheelchair. To help you prepare, it’s important to check the condition of your tires, casters, wheel locks, and upholstery. For your health and safety, all of these pieces must be in working condition.

Cushions
Some of our clients need specialized seat cushions to protect their skin and/or maintain their balance. Even if you have to evacuate without your wheelchair, it’s important to bring your cushion with you, wherever you go. For many wheelchair users, sitting without their seat cushions can cause skin breakdown. This situation can become very dangerous, and can lead to hospitalization with a long recovery time.

Though many people might not realize it, maintaining the cover of your seat cushion is also very important. In case your seat ever gets wet, it may be a good idea to purchase an extra cover. Keep an eye out for any tears in it or in the upholstery of your wheelchair’s back. We recommend that our clients replace these yearly, or as needed. 

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
To accommodate wheelchair ramps, many wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) feature lowered floors. If you drive a WAV, it might be easy to get stuck on a stormy road, or to avoid standing water.

Similar to wheelchair maintenance, it’s important to stay current on the maintenance of your WAV. In the rare case that you experience difficulty with your ramp or suspension system, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the emergency, manual functions of your conversion. Click here for a helpful video on the manual operation of your WAV’s electric ramp.

Other Assistive Devices
For individuals who use mobility devices such as canes or walkers, bringing an extra will make sure that your evacuation goes as smoothly as possible. If you use oxygen or are on dialysis, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to make a preparedness plan.

Important Information
Do your mobility devices need maintenance? Our Custom Mobility team is always happy to help! Click here to schedule maintenance for your mobility device.

Click here to read more about wheelchair service.

Click here to learn about DIY maintenance in case of emergencies.

Please see more tips from our 2019 article about hurricane preparation. It includes information not covered in this article, including advice about service animals.
If you need additional assistance, call us at: 800-622-5151.

Author:
Mary Carol Peterson

Edited by:

Staying Positive During COVID-19

In recent months, COVID-19 has made life challenging. However, the virus has also given us a few opportunities. We have learned how to use technology in new ways, making life easier for people with disabilities and able-bodied people alike. It also seems like people are spending more time outside, and on simpler pleasures.

The Corona virus will change the way that we think about ourselves, each other, and the world around us. To help you through these trying times, here are some positive outcomes that have occurred, in spite of COVID-19.

The pandemic is changing how we deliver healthcare
Now, Medicare allows providers to bill for telemedicine. By using programs such as Skype, Facetime, and email, more people have easy access to these services. Telemedicine will allow wheelchair to meet with their medical teams from the comfort of their homes, and will cut down on their transportation costs.

There is an increased understanding of health and safety
Now more than ever, we understand the importance of practicing good hygiene skills. By properly washing and sanitizing ourselves, our wheelchairs, and medical devices, we will stay healthier, and prevent the spread of viruses and germs.

We have an opportunity to save money
The internet makes shopping more accessible for people with disabilities because it can be done from home, which also allows you to practice social distancing.

Less travel time means more family time
Since we can’t spend as much time traveling, we don’t have to rush to as many appointments. That means we can spend less time coordinating accessible transportation, which can be a pain if you don’t have your own accessible vehicle. As a result, you’ll have more time to spend with your family or social distancing partners.

We have a new appreciation for our loved ones.
If accessible transportation is an issue, apps like Zoom, Facetime, and Skype, have made it easy to connect with our loved ones. Even after quarantine is over, these apps can be a great way for wheelchair users to stay connected with their families and friends.

Public parks are a safe and accessible way to enjoy the outdoors.
There are a variety of public parks that offer accessible nature trails. If you’re feeling cooped up in your home, these parks usually have plenty of space, giving you the opportunity to get out of the house while practicing social distancing.

Let’s get creative with our cooking
For wheelchair users, restaurants may be difficult to get around. By practicing social distancing and cooking ourselves, we can eat healthier and save money, all from the comfort of our own homes. 

Organize and prioritize
Social distancing gives us the opportunity to do things that we’ve always wanted or needed to do, but never had time for. If it’s been difficult to find time for reading, writing, cleaning, or completing a DIY project, now’s the perfect opportunity! You can take this time to repair things that have been on your to-do list, or make your home more accessible.

Remote working may make life easier
For wheelchair users, the ability to work from home may be more accessible than going into the office. Without the cost of driving or ride sharing, you’ll also save money on gas.

While rather short, we hope that this list can help you to stay active and positive during the COVID-19 pandemic. With some creative thinking, you can use this time to accomplish your goals from the comfort of your own home. Stay safe, stay positive, and above all else, keep up the great work!

References:

https://www.winknews.com/2020/03/24/coronavirus-pandemic-having-some-positive-impact-on-environment/

https://afroginthefjord.com/2020/03/17/cheer-up-the-10-positive-sides-of-the-coronavirus-quarantine/

Authors:

Mary Carol Peterson

Kyle Romano

Edited by:

Kyle Romano

COVID-19: Wheelchair Maintenance, Tips, and Quick Fixes

Note: the following article contains a detailed list of suggestions. Custom Mobility Inc. isn't liable for any damages or accidents that may occur to your equipment.

At the time of this article, COVID-19

has made life complicated. As a result, and to practice social distancing, companies are changing the ways that they conduct business. Custom Mobility is considered an “essential business,” meaning that we are open as usual. During this crucial time, we recognize that you may like to perform simple maintenance on your own, rather than having to wait on us. In order to help you maintain social distancing, and to make sure that your mobility devices remain in tip-top shape, here is a small list of simple fixes that you can perform at home.

If you are unable to perform any of these quick-fixes, or you need us to perform a complex repair, please schedule all appointments by either calling us at (727)539-8119, or by using our online portal located throughout our website.

For regular updates, click here to follow us on Facebook.

Please note: consult your owner’s manual before attempting any quick fixes. Avoid attempting complex repairs, or any action that may void manufacturer warranties.

My wheelchair is on, but it won’t move…

• Start by checking the motor to determine if it is engaged.
• If the motor is engaged but your wheelchair still won’t move, check to make sure that the joystick and battery wires are properly connected. 
• Our clients often have issues with their batteries. Please check your battery level to make sure that it is charged.
• If it isn’t charging, make sure the charger is plugged into both your wheelchair and a wall outlet.
• Before leaving your wheelchair to charge, double-check that the charger is on.
• Be careful not to overcharge your wheelchair’s battery
• Doing so will shorten the lifespan of your battery, which is expensive to replace.
• If you use your wheelchair every day, it’s best to charge it every night.
• If you don’t use your wheelchair often, try to plug it in once-a-week.
• When your wheelchair is finished charging, don’t forget to unplug it. If you charge your chair for more than one night, it could cause permanent damage. 

Casters

• In our industry, when referring to your wheelchair’s front wheels, we use the term “casters.” It’s wise to perform regular checks of your casters, just in case pet hair or debris begin to gunk up your bearings.

Tires

• The first step to fixing tire-related issues, is to determine the type of tires that are on your wheelchair.
• If your tires are solid, they won’t have air. The easiest way to figure this out, is to check whether they have air valves.
• If your tires are Pneumatic, it means that they must be inflated with air. You can tell whether a tire is Pneumatic by checking it for an air valve. Never inflated a tire? No problem! Click here to watch a helpful video.
• Remember, if you need physical assistance to fill a tire with air, be sure to ask a caregiver, family member, or friend.
• To be inflated, some tires require special valves. Schrader valves are more common and do not require an adapter. Presta valves require special adapters or air pumps that fit this valve. You can find these adapters at a bike shop or online. If you don’t have a pump, there’s a good chance that a friend or family member will. To learn more, check out this helpful video.

Armrests/Footrests

• To prevent your armrests and/or footrests from getting too loose, perform regular checks of your hardware’s tightness.
• Many of these components can be easily tightened with an allen wrench or screwdriver. If you are unable to do this yourself, ask your caregiver for assistance.

Even though these are difficult times, our Custom Mobility team will continue to provide you with the support that you need. If you are experiencing an issue that hasn’t been addressed in this article, please call us at (727)539-8119 or use our online portal located throughout our website.

Authors:
Mary Carol Peterson

Kyle Romano

Edited by:
Kyle Romano and Luis Rodriguez

How-To Guide: Affordable Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Purchasing a new vehicle is a big commitment. While many people expect to pay a lot for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV’s), there are a number of reliable and affordable options that may be available to you. We provide a lot of useful information in this article, so feel free to jump to any section that is most useful to you.

Why Should You Own Your Own WAV?

1. They reduce your chances of getting injured. To get a wheelchair in and out of your vehicle, you would have to lift it multiple times a day. Heavy lifting can be very dangerous because you are at risk of injuring important parts of your body, like your back and your neck.
2. With a wheelchair accessible vehicle, it’ll be much easier to get around on your own. As a result, you’ll be much more independent. Better access to your community will let you have much more fun, and will allow you to spend more time with friends and family.

The Basics

Wheelchair accessible vehicles don’t have to be intimidating! To help you along the way, let’s go over some important details:

• “Chassis” is a word that we use to describe the vehicle, itself. It’s important to note that vehicle chassis are taxed by the state.
• If you hear us use the term “conversion,” we are referring to any modifications that have been made to the vehicle. If your doctor provides a Letter of Medical Necessity, your conversion will not be taxed by the state, and will officially be considered a piece of “medical equipment.”
• There are two types of ramp conversions: side entry and rear entry. How do you figure out which kind is best for you?
• For more information, visit our showroom and check our vast inventory of WAVs in person. You can either stop in to speak with one of our experienced WAV specialists, or call us at (800)622-5151.
• Can’t come in? No problem! Click here to check out an Accessible Living article, which goes over everything in greater detail.

Let’s Talk Money

While there are grants to help you out, 95% of them will only pay for your vehicle’s conversion. What does that mean for you? While these grants pay for the part of your vehicle that has been modified, they don’t cover the cost of the vehicle, itself. This is actually great news, because it means that you may be able to buy a WAV for just the price of the vehicle! In fact, you might be able to purchase your WAV for half of its normal price. From finding the right vehicle, to determining the best configuration, to helping with your funding needs, our team of WAV experts can help you through the entire process!

Here are some affordable options:  

• Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
• Purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle is a smart way to get more for your money. This point remains true for all vehicles, including those that are wheelchair accessible! Our on-site inventory is huge, featuring a large number of pre-owned accessible vehicles. Most of our pre-owned WAVs have low mileage and are priced to sell. This means that our prices include the cost of each vehicle’s conversion, allowing us to be up-front and save you time.
• Trade-ins
• We take all types of trades, including vehicles that are not wheelchair accessible. Your trade-in value is calculated into the bottom-line price, which decreases your payments and taxes.
• Finance Options
• Our accessible vehicle specialists will find you the best interest rates, terms, finance options, and lease options. We’ll give you all the information you’ll need to make an informed decision, and support you through the entire process.
• New Vehicle Funding
• If you’re a Med Waiver recipient, you might qualify for a van conversion through the Med Waiver Program. This resource can cut the cost of a rear-entry minivan by up to 50%! As a Braunability dealer, we can provide information about a variety of grants and funding opportunities that are available to you. Click here to learn more.

Nationwide Funding

When it comes to funding for mobility equipment, some national foundations offer a wide range of financial assistance. Click here to learn more about them.

Regardless of your disability or location, these programs help a wide range of people. Some programs may cover the total cost of your mobility equipment, while others offer smaller grants. Either way, both options are great resources for you.

State Funding

While grants and funding programs are a great resource, it’s important to remember that they vary by state. Additionally, each one usually caters to individuals who have specific disabilities. Some states have a form of government assistance, called Vocational Rehabilitation. These services help people with disabilities find and maintain jobs. They are a very important resource, because they will help pay for mobility equipment that you need to work, and will make sure that everything at your job is accessible for you. Other states have additional programs related to financial assistance. These resources cover the cost of mobility equipment for individuals who have been injured, as the result of a vehicle accident. Click here to find out what your state offers.

Veteran Programs

If you are a veteran with a disability, there are a number of resources that can offer financial assistance for purchasing a WAV. For additional information, please contact your local Veterans Administration (VA), or work with your local dealer to receive your benefits. Click here to learn more about these programs, which are available to our disabled veterans.

Funding For Nonprofits

It can be a challenge for nonprofit organizations to transport people with disabilities. If your nonprofit needs wheelchair accessible transportation for either children or adults, there are a few organizations that provide financial support. Click here to learn more about the resources available to nonprofits.

Crowdfunding 

Even though it’s non-traditional, crowdfunding allows the community to show support for the needs of people with disabilities. This approach has helped a number of wheelchair users raise the necessary funds to purchase their WAVs. Click here to learn more about crowdfunding campaigns.

Automotive Discounts

When purchasing a WAV, most automotive manufacturers offer rebates or incentives. While these discounts will help with the cost of your vehicle, they may also reduce the cost of important equipment, including hand controls, transfer seats, wheelchair securement systems, and more. Click here to learn more about discounts for wheelchair accessible vehicles.

For now, that’s all the information we can report on! If new resources become available, we will be sure to keep you updated. Hopefully, this article helped to settle some of your nerves, and showed you that it’s definitely possible to own your own wheelchair accessible vehicle. There are a number of financial resources available to you, designed to assist with the purchase of the WAV that’s perfect for you. Whether you need a wheelchair or wheelchair accessible vehicle, our team is dedicated to helping you find the best mobility solution. You can count on us to help you maximize your potential, which means living a happy, healthy, and independent life.

Authors:

Mary Carol Peterson

Scott Yarosz

Edited by:

Kyle Romano

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