3 ms·

It's funny to hear you say this and I certainly respect your experience in this area. But when my brother in law was coming to the end of his life with motor n

by abraae 8y ago

It's funny to hear you say this and I certainly respect your experience in this area. But when my brother in law was coming to the end of his life with motor neuron disease, on one day we got him down to the grass by the beach with his new electric wheelchair. He had very little movement left in his body, but just enough in his fingers to control (sort of) the wheelchair. I will never forget the way that as soon as he was lowered onto the grass he hit the (throttle?) and took off. He roared around, spinning his wheels, looking like he was basking in the joy of it. He wasn't quite the type A you describe, a pretty sensible man, but watching him really changed my viewpoint on accessibility, and when we recently built a house it was a top priority to make the whole house and section wheelchair friendly. I guess everyone's different, and again, I respect your viewpoint, and about your work on these products.

oblib 8y ago
Good for him! I had friends in chairs who'd go to parks and go fishing with me. I really admired their spirit and tenacity. They were truly exceptional. I also knew people with disabilities who could walk, but very seldom did because they were embarrassed by how they looked doing it. And on the other hand I knew those who walked everywhere and refused to use a chair despite knowing that people stared at them when they did. I admired them too. They were tough as can be. After working with so many disabled people I can tell you that attitude had everything to do with how well they rehabbed and moved on in life. One of the greatest joys of doing that job was convincing them they could drive our vehicles. They came in thinking "there's no way I can do this" and left with such a sense of achievement and excitement of using their new mobility. And, really, well earned pride that they had come so far. That kind of rehab is a really tough row to hoe.

by abraae 8y ago

oblib 8y ago

Good for him! I had friends in chairs who'd go to parks and go fishing with me. I really admired their spirit and tenacity. They were truly exceptional. I also knew people with disabilities who could walk, but very seldom did because they were embarrassed by how they looked doing it. And on the other hand I knew those who walked everywhere and refused to use a chair despite knowing that people stared at them when they did. I admired them too. They were tough as can be. After working with so many disabled people I can tell you that attitude had everything to do with how well they rehabbed and moved on in life. One of the greatest joys of doing that job was convincing them they could drive our vehicles. They came in thinking "there's no way I can do this" and left with such a sense of achievement and excitement of using their new mobility. And, really, well earned pride that they had come so far. That kind of rehab is a really tough row to hoe.