Letters: January 2016


Great Idea, Too Expensive
As a wheelchair user for over 35 years, and being in the healthcare industry, I think this product

[Lillypad Scale] is a great idea [“Finally, A Home Wheelchair Scale,” November 2015]. Having said that, I find it very disappointing that the developer wants to charge nearly $700 [$638] for this product. I get tired of paying outrageous prices for products because they are created to support the wheelchair user. Is research and development that expensive?!
Bubba McIntosh
Via newmobility.com

A Simpler Way
Years ago when I was still using a lightweight manual chair, I bought a metal device that fit over a standard bathroom scale — just had to pop a wheelie to get on it. Then you had to balance on it and make sure it wasn’t touching the floor on either end (which wasn’t too hard to do) to get your weight. It worked pretty darn well and, as I recall, didn’t cost that much.
Julie A. Wysocki
Via newmobility.com

More Affordable Power Devices?
Wouldn’t a scooter that disassembles into 35 pounds of parts or less be much more affordable? [“The Spinergy ZX-1,” November 2015]. I’m in this same situation now: I love my manual lightweight wheelchair, but I’m losing stamina and can’t deal with inclines well. I don’t want a van yet, and my SUV is a bit long to put a carrier on the back.
Maureen Bennett
Via newmobility.com

Spend Wisely and Save
Every time I read an editorial like this one [“The Numbers Game,” Bully Pulpit, November 2015] I think of The Three-Penny Opera. Disabled people have no claim on nondisabled people, even rich ones. So, yes, there will be all of this new medical technology that will benefit only a minority of those whose lot might be improved.

The solution to this sad paradox is that nondisabled people should spend money on disability insurance, rather than spending it foolishly. Similarly, people like myself, who are living on disability income, should put money aside in case a medical procedure or device becomes available, rather than spending it foolishly.
Bob Gustafson
Via newmobility.com

Action Deserves Thanks
I’ve never experienced being unable to buy tickets in advance online for a movie [Everyday Advocacy, October 2015]. However, a local concert venue offered pre-public sale tickets online only and didn’t have an option for wheelchair accessible seating! I called the box office immediately, mentioned the words “unfair discrimination” and “supervisor” and immediately they put a manager on the line who manually processed my tickets and waived the phone convenience fee! I did follow up with a letter to the board of directors thanking them for hiring people who can think outside the box.
Anita Geismar
Via newmobility.com

Time to Push Back
I think it might be time for folks to push back via the legal system in relation to wheelchair funding [“Funding for Wheelchair Equipment In Serious Jeopardy,” November 2015]. Currently people with disabilities are virtually locked out of Group 4 chairs altogether. Group 4 are technically classified as “non-covered” items and getting even commercial [insurance] plans to consider them is nearly impossible. Our society judges folks on whether they work, but when it comes to providing the equipment to actually go to work, it isn’t “medically necessary.” Talk about conflicting messages!
DJ Stemmler
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Being ‘Invisible’
Re: Nancy Xia’s blog post, “Step Away from That Accessible Stall or Meet the Lioness!” [Oct. 7], I love your post! I understand what this is like after having it happen to me several times, and I have only had an SCI for six months. It’s amazing the people who think you are “invisible.” When in this situation, or when I have to break down or put my wheelchair together, some people pretend they just don’t see me. It’s amazing.
Lorri Jensen Taylor
Via newmobility.com

DIY Parking Space
I do think Claire Lomas [“DIY Parking Space,” Crip Buzz, Nov. 2015] is trying to tell us something: DIY is the wave of the future for the hopes of disabled people for improved quality of life. The still failing economy will not do it for us; politics will not do if for us, nor will the media! We must do it for ourselves! This is something ADAPT and the British social model [of disability] understand quite well. I hope we do!
Marquita V. Doohan
Hawkinsville, Georgia

Timely Article
Thank you for this very thorough article [“Fashion Enabled,” October 2015]. I have been wondering lately how to dress for being seated. This article was so helpful and gave me wonderful resources.
Cynthia Buchanan
Via newmobility.com


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