The wheelchair ... a follow-up

I have worked things out with the VA with just a little back and forth - they have ordered a spare NiMH battery pack. Two batteries will be enough to go a full day without having to turn off the power or end up with a dead battery and a long push back to the car. Thank you Mike at the Lake City VAMC Wheelchair Clinic!

I have a new cup holder that is MUCH better - and cheaper - than a typical Wheelchair Cup Holder.

TWO holders that will hold more than just a cup .... It can hold my umbrella!

I purchased mine through Amazon using the Amazon Smiles program to support Achilles International!

I am also getting a wheelchair cover to keep the weather and dust off the wheelchair while on the road.

Wheelchair Clinic

December 18th saw me at the Wheelchair Clinic at the Lake City VAMC.

I have fought a long, hard fight to avoid a wheelchair; I fought to keep running; at some point you have to face the facts, and realize your physical well being takes precedence.

Earlier this year I was placed in a handcycle, and realized just how stressful it had been trying to run with the problems I have. i can still "run" in a lot of races, and I enjoy it just as much - if not more - than I did before during my run/walks.

Now, I have been sent to the wheelchair clinic because of my fractured foot ... or so I thought.

That was NOT the only reason (but it was a factor) - the risk of falling with an increased risk of a spinal fracture was DEFINITELY in play. The Orthopedic doctor in charge of the Wheelchair Clinic was there to see me o/O . She had some "words" with me, and said I should have been in MUCH sooner to see about a wheelchair! She had ALREADY approved a wheelchair for me! It was NOT pleasant to be on the receiving end of what was essentially someone calling me a horse's ass - even though she was right.

They did discuss a power chair, but I did resist enough - and get them to agree to - an ultralight wheelchair with Power assisted wheels.

The final product should be similar to this one:

 

Am I happy about moving to a wheelchair full time - hell no! Will it be for the better? In hindsight, I will probably admit that it is.

This will take the load off of my injured right arm (confirmed that it IS tendonitis along with the previous injuries) and allow me to resume racing in my handcycle at some point.

Bittersweet, but ...