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Dreaming of a hot pink Trackchair

Mar 07 08:09

Oh the places I’d go if I had a hot pink Trackchair. I’d go hunting with my sister and step-dad each Fall. Not because I liked killing animals, but just because I finally could get out there.

I’d roll over logs, through streams, muscle through crazy mud pits in the middle of the woods. At home in the summertime, I’d go rolling in the surf at Lake Calhoun at midnight. I’d go to campsites with trails I used to avoid. I’d roll onto curbs without a curb-cut just to show off.

It’s a pretty huge thing to go from the structured limitations of four wheels to the versatility of tank treads for a wheelchair-user. Don’t underestimate the magical powers of rubber treads, my friends. If you’ve never considered the possibility of owning a chair like this if you can’t walk, think again. These tracks are equal to beautiful, bright and shiny freedom. They open up worlds that used to be shut off to us. For around $9,000, I’d say if you’re permanently paralyzed, that’s a steal.

But what if you live in the city…the ‘burbs, what can it do for you? Not as much sadly than if you lived next door to Yosemite Park, but it would get you over the uneven sidewalks in Paris like nobody's business. And it would be a dream on unplowed sidewalks as well.

But there’s one thing about the Trackchair that breaks my heart - you can’t take it inside. The treads are too meaty. Most store owners would freak out if you took this bad boy into their establishment. This is a true bummer because having a wheelchair like this for a city dweller (to overcome street accessibility issues) would be huge, if it were a regular indoor/outdoor chair.

Other things I love about the Trackchair: The side pockets and the back storage unit! They’re great for carrying everything from a cooler full of beer (you know it), a gun, a dead deer (ew!) to something more my style - beach-going accouterments. How did they know extra storage space is the best way to get to a girl’s heart?

- Check out the Trackchair for yourself! Action Trackchair

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1. Mivoyses | Nov 07 04:58

I am currently designing one now. It has turf friendly tracks and they are not as wide so the issue of floor damage is negligible, yet it still has off road capability (and it will fit through doors) It also has suspension so the ride is much more comfortable. I am staring construction as soon as I squirrel away a small portion of my disability every month. If I can get funding sooner it will be built sooner and then I can post pics of it so that I can make one for whomever is interested in one. (and not at a 100% mark up either)

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By Tiffiny Carlson

Tiffiny Carlson Disability buzz, travel, fashion and dating — fun things to amp up everyday wheeling life.

Tiffiny Carlson is freelance writer and writes the “SCI Life” column for New Mobility. She's also a C6 quad from a diving accident that occurred when she was 14 years old. A lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Tiffiny has been a writer in the disability community for over 10 years and writes for several publications and blogs, as well as her personal blog BeautyAbility. Her work has also appeared in mainstream publications such as Nerve.com and Playgirl.