Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

You dont have to, but its interesting!

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Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby swalker » 05 Aug 2018, 00:06

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I have been a lurker here for several years. I have learned an enormous amount from this form and the website. Now, it is time to become a member and contribute, rather than just consume the knowledge of others. I will certainly have questions to pose as well.

I was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease 4 years ago and have been using a power wheelchair for a bit more than 3 years. My torso and all four limbs are affected, so I rely on a power wheelchair. My ability to type is affected, so I will apologize in advance for all the typos I will make going forward:).

I like to spend as much time outside as I can. I like riding on our local bike paths and trails. There is a wonderful bus system where I live and it is easy to catch the bus and take it to the base of our ski area. There, I can ride the gondola to the top and then ride the wheelchair down several dirt double track trails. It is a wonderful way for me to get out and enjoy life.

I ski in the winters with an adaptive ski program. I use a biski with fixed outriggers. You can take a look at me skiing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hpUwgXxauA We were going over 50 miles per hour on some of the stretches:).

Along the way, I have developed a bit of a passion for wheelchairs and currently have four of them:

1. Permobil C500s VS. This is the vertical stander version of the C500 front wheel drive wheelchair with the high speed "motors" (actually, just different gearing). It was my first wheelchair and was purchased through insurance. It suits my needs very well. I have found that it is very expensive to operate, requiring new motors about every 800 miles. It currently has about 2300 miles on it and I am in the process of getting the 5th set (including the ones that were originally on the chair). I ride the chair hard, but am careful not to abuse it. I love the chair.

2. Permobil C500 Corpus 3G. I quickly realized I needed a very capable backup wheelchair, so purchased a used C500. This one is not a stander and does not have the high speed motors. I find that its corpus 3G seat does not support me as well as the VS seat on my other C500. Still, this is a wonderful wheelchair and has served me very, very well as a backup.

3. Magic Mobility X4. This four wheel drive wheelchair came on the market suddenly as I was purchasing my backup C500. It was a derelict purchased from craigslist. My friend and I spent a few months getting it into working order and it now does most things pretty darned well. I live in the mountains of Colorado and having a 4x4 wheelchair to ride the trails and explore in the winter has been absolutely wonderful. It is slow, has limited range, bogs down and overheats, and is "interesting' to steer (especially in reverse). And. I absolutely love the thing. I am seriously considering building up a set of lithium batteries for this wheelchair.

4. Permobil C350 Corpus 3G. I have read reports from many long-term wheelchair users stating they prefer rear wheel drive. So, when I found this lightly-used rear wheel drive chair I bought it. It had been languishing at a charity-based health thrift store and was way more expensive than the items they typically sold. They were thankful I bought it and I was very glad to have it. My friend and I spent quite a bit of time changing out parts so it would fit me. It came with a head array and omni controller (which I expect to eventually use as my disease progresses). It was quite a learning experience to get it working just the way I want it. Along the way, we swapped out the manual seat post for a power elevating one. I sure learned a lot doing that.

Steve
Permobil F5 Corpus 3G
Permobil C500s VS
Permobil C500 Corpus 3G
Permobil C350 Corpus 3G
Magic Mobility X4 with 176 Ah LiFePO4
swalker
 
Posts: 547
Joined: 23 Jul 2018, 22:57
Location: Vail, Colorado, USA

Re: Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby rollingcowboy » 05 Aug 2018, 07:14

hello Steve, welcome.
There are a couple of us from Colorado that check in - I live in Lakewood - there is another guy from Boulder - so we are up to at least 3 now!
rollingcowboy
 
Posts: 347
Joined: 16 Feb 2012, 08:56
Location: Denver, CO

Re: Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby martin007 » 07 Aug 2018, 00:57

Welcome swalker!
User avatar
martin007
 
Posts: 3278
Joined: 03 Jun 2015, 23:55
Location: Spain

Re: Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby swalker » 07 Aug 2018, 16:00

Thanks for the welcome. I am looking forward to getting to know folks here.

Rollingcowboy, I am up in Vail. Many years ago I had a friend on the rolling cowboys wheelchair basketball team located in the front range. Any connection to your user name?

Steve
Permobil F5 Corpus 3G
Permobil C500s VS
Permobil C500 Corpus 3G
Permobil C350 Corpus 3G
Magic Mobility X4 with 176 Ah LiFePO4
swalker
 
Posts: 547
Joined: 23 Jul 2018, 22:57
Location: Vail, Colorado, USA

Re: Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby rollingcowboy » 10 Aug 2018, 07:55

Yes - who was it?
rollingcowboy
 
Posts: 347
Joined: 16 Feb 2012, 08:56
Location: Denver, CO

Re: Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby swalker » 11 Aug 2018, 23:07

I worked with Joe Theige (I think that is the spelling of his last name) in 1985 and 1986. He was in a manual wheelchair then.
Permobil F5 Corpus 3G
Permobil C500s VS
Permobil C500 Corpus 3G
Permobil C350 Corpus 3G
Magic Mobility X4 with 176 Ah LiFePO4
swalker
 
Posts: 547
Joined: 23 Jul 2018, 22:57
Location: Vail, Colorado, USA

Re: Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby rollingcowboy » 13 Aug 2018, 07:18

I sent you a Private Message
rollingcowboy
 
Posts: 347
Joined: 16 Feb 2012, 08:56
Location: Denver, CO

Re: Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby swalker » 14 Aug 2018, 21:14

Got it and responded. Thanks!
Permobil F5 Corpus 3G
Permobil C500s VS
Permobil C500 Corpus 3G
Permobil C350 Corpus 3G
Magic Mobility X4 with 176 Ah LiFePO4
swalker
 
Posts: 547
Joined: 23 Jul 2018, 22:57
Location: Vail, Colorado, USA

Re: Hello from the mountains of Colorado, USA

Postby sacharlie » 21 Aug 2018, 01:42

A cool ride in a beautiful place. Coming down the mountain! :dance
sacharlie
 
Posts: 1801
Joined: 01 Aug 2010, 18:52
Location: USA


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