Old Wheelchair

I know they where not as good
or any other early example of technique's for people with disaibilities

Wheelchairs predate World War 2 but were thenonly means of transporting people--they were heavy and had to be pushed by an attendant. By the end of the war, chairs that the user could propel themselves were available, but ran into resistance from rehabilitation workers. In Canada, for instance, war veterans were at first unable to get the chairs because rehabilitation agencies didn't want to buy the more expensive chairs. Today, research to develop new chairs and related equipment is an ongoing effort--you can learn more about it by going to the RERC (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center) website maintained by the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Other examples of assistive technology are almost endless. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, was at first trying to develop an electronic hearing aid (he was less successful with it).


In the 19th century most such devices were for the blind. The first major ws the development of Braille by Louis Braille in France in 1823. Technology for the blind became a focus for the American schools and Association of Instructors for the Blind. A mechanical "Brailler" for making the impressions ofdots was perfected in the post-Civil War period. Mechanical printing of Braille was a reality by 1900, thanks to the invention of the Hall Stereotyper--an electric "typewriter" thhat could punch the Braille dots onto metal printing plates. His daughter, a skilled typist, demonstrated the machine in the 1890s and achived speeds up to 100words per minute.

One of the most interesting features of assistive technology is how it often transfers into general use. For example, the vinyl phonograph records that were the dominant means of recording music until the 1980s were originally developed in the late 1920s exclusive for creating "Talking Books"for the blind. Long-playing vinyl records were not introduced to the general public until after WW2. This continues today. Those handy plastic jars some brands of coffee come in (folger's, etc.) were developed to enable people with limited use of their hands to open the jars. And part of the reason for the popularity of all those wheeled suitcases we see every day is the result of the "curb cuts" for wheelchair users to negotiate curbs in urban areas. The curb cuts make using wheeled luggage far more practical.

2008-11-13 02:44:24 by jobees

With pretty boy Paul Ryan's draconian and savage cuts to Medicare in his budget proposal, we have to ask ourselves: Is America still beautiful ...

Is it allright to fart near a old woman in a wheelchair at the mall? Should you seek one out to put gas if you must release it from you before a solid dunk comes true and makes your pants filth filled?

yes they do it to us all the time where i work and keep on rolling or walking.

2007-09-25 20:48:37 by vote_usa_first

i've called him paul but i need to extend my knoweledge about him, anyone out there with a great imagination.

Christopher Reeve's he's like. The man that played Superman fell off a horse and was paralyzed from neck down.

2008-02-25 14:28:56 by Deirdre M

Price: $5.95 $5.95

I'm in a wheelchair, I'm 24, a beautiful 22 year old woman is coming over to cut my hair,should I make a move? If I were to, what should I do? I've never met her before. I can't lift my arms or physically move much. I am smart and articulate. My face is attractive as an average looking person. Other people will be here, should I talk to her alone?

I say go for it! Say something to make her laugh. Get her talking. Tell jokes. Women love men that are funny. If she's really nice, she just might want to get to know you more.

2008-09-15 11:50:02 by Jon G

My friend's daughter in Shreveport La. Needs a new wheelchair for her child with cerebral parlsy. She put in a request but she was denied. Her benefits have been slashed as well because he makes in the 40's. The truth be told however is that every little bit helped and she needs the finacial help badly due to other expenses especially now. Can someone help?

Has the family tried talking to their local CP foundation about funding, government or otherwise, or charitable organizations that can help them out? I live in Canada, and I know of several children's charities and other organizations who make it a priority to help out families who can't afford medical necessities and accessories on their own.

Do you have any of the following organizations in Lousiana (I don't know if they're only Cdn or not)? You may want to give them a try:
-- The Shriners;
-- The Kinsmen or Kinettes;
-- The Lions Club;
-- Sick Kids;
-- church organizations, like a Catholic Women's League, or The Knights Of Columbus;
-- professional organizations, like a firefighter's or police officer's foundation. They often help out people with medical things who are financially strapped.

Sometimes businesses will step up and help out, too, if they see a need or it is brought to their attention. Where I'm from, nearly every person in town works for large oilfield companies who are always looking for good community relations and publicity. One company recently donated a CT scanner to the local hospital. This might be an avenue you can explore, as well. Good luck!

2006-11-29 21:54:52 by Donna P