SMA Certainly gave me the privilege of seeing nice gadgets and advanced technology evolve over time. For example, I have five different wheelchairs since 1987, when I was 5 years old. The technology of them has changed so much over the years that I felt like a passenger on the road to the future. And I always feel like that.
When I obtained my original wheelchair in the 1980s, it allowed me to drive and beer a horn. The chair could bow, but someone had to do this for me.
Make no mistake, being able to control the reader myself gave me fantastic independence. I did not know at the time that my future chairs would allow me to do much more.
Improved mud, improved capacity
My second chair did Let me bow and adjust my body. And my chairs allowed me not only to control many of their actions, but also to send signals to other technological devices.
I remember over 10 years ago, when an infrared transmitter was mounted on the side of my chair. I would put my wheelchair in a certain mode which would send infrared signals from the transmitter to a receiver connected to my computer. This allowed me to control the mouse of the computer. It was great because it allowed me to have a second way to control the computer.
Sometimes I would use chair orders to transmit infrared signals to move the mouse. Other times, I would control the mouse with my eyes using the PCEYE EYE TRACKER.
The only downside of the infrared transmitter was that he worked on batteries. The lower the energy of the batteries, the more difficult it was to send signals to the receiver. This made mouse control more difficult, unless I used my Pceye option.
However, the transmitter and infrared receiver were wonderful tools that increased my independence with the computer. This also helped that the batteries are common, double AA or Triple AAA, I think. I just had to make sure they were changed every two or three months, depending on the quantity I used.
After this configuration, I obtained a wheelchair which sent Bluetooth signals instead of infrared. Thus, I was able to connect with the computer from my chair without using a separate mounted transmitter and receiver. As I do not use an external transmitter to send Bluetooth signals, I can move the mouse cursor everything I want with my chair controls without worrying about the batteries.
I also use my chair to send signals to my phone so that I can control its applications. Controlling them allows me to be independent with my TV, my air conditioning, my lighting switches and much more.
Another feature that I like is the ability to lift my seat. I’m not talking about my vertical platform elevatorwhich raises my chair at the main level of the house. I’m talking about raising the seat of my 12 inch more chair so that I can be at the eye level with others. When I am in public or in an audience when people in front of me block my point of view, all I have to do is get up to see above their heads.
I also raise myself because it’s fun, and it makes my nurses laugh. Instead of laughing in an offensive way, they laugh because I can get bigger when most people cannot. I kick it when my nurses slightly say things like: “You just show yourself!”
My next wheelchair
I am ready to receive my sixth chair this year. Medicare will pay a new chair every five to seven years. My new will have all the features discussed above, plus two news: a rear view camera and a function for my legs.
By putting my chair in a certain mode, I can change the position of my footrest so that I can stretch my legs in law. My nurses and physiotherapists have always stretched my straight legs and will continue to do so. It gives me a great satisfaction to know that I will be able to do it myself too.
Technological improvements in wheelchairs have brought My hopes Because more independence is realized, and they were a response to My faith and prayers.
Do we all have together to see which new wheelchair technology is on the horizon!
Note: SMA news today is strictly a news and information website on the disease. He does not provide medical advice, diagnosisOr treatment. This content is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always find the advice of your doctor or other qualified health supplier with all the questions you may have about a medical condition. Do not take into account professional medical advice or delay research because of something you have read on this site. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News today or his parent company, Bionews, and are intended to arouse discussions on questions relating to the muscular atrophy of the spine.