4 ms·
I'm a c-5 incomplete quadriplegic with hemispheric stroke-like paralysis that bothers my body all over. Some of it is just weakness, some of it is incomplete se
by serf 4y ago
I'm a c-5 incomplete quadriplegic with hemispheric stroke-like paralysis that bothers my body all over. Some of it is just weakness, some of it is incomplete sensation, some of it is total paralysis. I have one weak-yet-functioning hand, and one hand that works only via the tone present in the hand as a rough pointing-poking tool. I use a manual wheelchair. At my injury level I am exceedingly fortunate to have decent trunk and upper body mobility.
I have found setups that work for me, and i'm comfortable now -- but I wish I had something like this years ago when I had to make accommodations.
My main worry in seeing this -- like all accessibility equipment -- is that it will be outrageously priced or locked up behind some kind of insurance coding so as to capture that segment of the market; most medical groups aim for VFW-equivalent equipment coverage on insurance, and I have no-where near that.
That said : I would love this as a device for TIG-torch actuation. That's one nut that I haven't yet been able to crack, and I was seriously considering the idea of tinkering up some kind of mouth-actuated wireless solution for welding. I can imagine this as a PC bridge to an interface that could help realize a fine control for the torch.
- d0gsg0w00f 4y ago> I would love this as a device for TIG-torch actuation Thanks for the chuckle. My mom works with people with disabilities and all of her clients that I've met are like this--determined and capable. I imagine there's a lot of people who need help in getting these tech setups going with a bunch of trial and error and then after that they can independently operate. Are there any volunteer groups that help with that?
- serf 4y ago>I imagine there's a lot of people who need help in getting these tech setups going with a bunch of trial and error and then after that they can independently operate. Are there any volunteer groups that help with that? I'm pretty out-of-touch with the accessibility/advocacy world, but should such a group exist I think that it'd be a blast to work for/with them. Giving someone back an ability is something that may be minor for some, but life-changing for others. I would imagine that it would be immensely gratifying work. I know of groups like AbleGamers that have helped with gaming accessibility as well as providing equipment for people on a limited-basis. I think they were also one of the forces behind the XBox Adaptive Controller, which was a boon for some.
- RoyGBivCap 4y ago>My main worry in seeing this -- like all accessibility equipment -- is that it will be outrageously priced or locked up behind some kind of insurance coding so as to capture that segment of the market; most medical groups aim for VFW-equivalent equipment coverage on insurance, and I have no-where near that. Our trains of though crossed paths here. I was thinking about how useful it might be to an able bodied person, if it would be fun or even beneficial to use. Like having a third hand in gaming would be nice sometimes. Then it immediately called to mind how outrageously expensive aid devices like this tend to be. For example an actually good hearing aid is like $2,000 for some reason. And a really nice robotic wheelchair can be like $40,000. So with disappointment I assume this thing, even if it makes it to scaled up commercial production is going to be out of my price range as someone who doesn't actually need it but wouldn't mind helping to fund the project. Is the apparent price gouging because insurance might pay for it? Or because some people don't have a choice but to buy it?