swalker
Very helpful member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2014
- Messages
- 1,576
- Reason
- DX MND
- Diagnosis
- 07/2014
- Country
- US
- State
- CO
- City
- Vail
I reported in another thread that on Sunday my wheelchair started misbehaving.
It developed a mind of its own. I would have to hold the joystick to the left to go straight. When I slowed down, it would suddenly turn to the left, sometimes doing a complete 360 degree turn. When I let go of the joystick, it would keep going for a few seconds and then turn. Other times, I would be going straight and it would suddenly turn to the left. Sometimes, it would refuse to turn right. I could not discern the pattern completely, but it was a wild ride
I was in the middle of an adventurous ride when this behavior suddenly developed. It was pretty scary (and I don't think I scare easily). Of course, I was by myself on the ride.
I had ridden one of the gondolas to the top of the Vail ski area and was taking the dirt road down (about 5 miles, 2,000 ft vertical). There are many cambered switchbacks which are exciting when the chair is behaving well. Fortunately, I pass another gondola on this ride. I was able to abort the ride and take the other gondola to the bottom.
I delivered the wheelchair to the wheelchair shop yesterday (Monday). They don't know what is wrong, but are investigating. They now have the wheelchair and don't know how long it will take to diagnose/repair.
They have me a loaner wheelchair, but that one would not go into my van. So, I am without a wheelchair.
I really need to get moving on procuring a backup wheelchair!
Steve
It developed a mind of its own. I would have to hold the joystick to the left to go straight. When I slowed down, it would suddenly turn to the left, sometimes doing a complete 360 degree turn. When I let go of the joystick, it would keep going for a few seconds and then turn. Other times, I would be going straight and it would suddenly turn to the left. Sometimes, it would refuse to turn right. I could not discern the pattern completely, but it was a wild ride
I was in the middle of an adventurous ride when this behavior suddenly developed. It was pretty scary (and I don't think I scare easily). Of course, I was by myself on the ride.
I had ridden one of the gondolas to the top of the Vail ski area and was taking the dirt road down (about 5 miles, 2,000 ft vertical). There are many cambered switchbacks which are exciting when the chair is behaving well. Fortunately, I pass another gondola on this ride. I was able to abort the ride and take the other gondola to the bottom.
I delivered the wheelchair to the wheelchair shop yesterday (Monday). They don't know what is wrong, but are investigating. They now have the wheelchair and don't know how long it will take to diagnose/repair.
They have me a loaner wheelchair, but that one would not go into my van. So, I am without a wheelchair.
I really need to get moving on procuring a backup wheelchair!
Steve