Oops, nevermind. Deleting this entry so
that it doesn't come back and bite me in
the butt.
What's an iBOT? It's a revolutionary Mobility System invented by Dean Kamen. Kamen also invented the more widely known Segway. The iBOT is unlike any other wheelchair. Its unique functions allow me to go places I've never been before, and do things I've never done before.
About Me
Are you on Facebook?
Please show your support in getting the iBOT back into production by joining Save the iBOT.
Followers
Links:
- My youtube videos
- What to do when you have a flat
- How to switch the clusters
- The story behind my paralysis
- A bit of info on Spinal Cord Injuries
- Comment from a reader: The iBOT is a gimmick (LOL!)
- Comment from a reader: I mean they literally scare small children (another LOL)
- I've always loved to explore
- Rant
- Frustration leading to sarcasm
- Finally getting the iBOT!
- My first day with the iBOT
- iBOT improvements I hope for
iBOT - A wheelchair that climbs stairs, travels over uneven terrain
and sand, and can put the user at
eye level to an average standing adult.
DEAN KAMEN - The inventor of the
iBOT. Kamen also invented the Segway.
DEKA - Dean Kamens's company. The
iBOT was designed by engineers at
DEKA.
J&J - Johnson and Johnson. The
company producing and marketing
the iBOT.
IT - Independence Technology.
A division of J&J. Provides
tech support for iBOT users.
-----------------------------------
and sand, and can put the user at
eye level to an average standing adult.
DEAN KAMEN - The inventor of the
iBOT. Kamen also invented the Segway.
DEKA - Dean Kamens's company. The
iBOT was designed by engineers at
DEKA.
J&J - Johnson and Johnson. The
company producing and marketing
the iBOT.
IT - Independence Technology.
A division of J&J. Provides
tech support for iBOT users.
-----------------------------------
I 've been using a manual wheelchair to get around since I was 8 years old. In September 2007, I got my first power wheelchair. This is no ordinary wheelchair though. The iBOT can climb curbs and stairs. It can travel over terrain such as sand and gravel. It can raise me so that I am eye level with an average standing adult.
I am writing this blog to share this
exciting time in my life with my
family and friends. I'm also doing
it to raise awareness. Not many
people know about the iBOT. I've
found that most people in the
medical field have never
even heard of the iBOT before.
I've also found that many
wheelchair users themselves
have never heard of it. There
are currently only about 400
iBOT users. I would like to
see this number go much much
higher. Unfortunately, the cost
of the iBOT is $26,100. That's
a price a lot of people cannot
afford (including myself - I got
lucky and purchased mine used).
I know many wheelchair users
who would love to have an iBOT,
but they simply cannot afford to
buy one. Most insurance companies
will not pay for even part of the
iBOT. They say the iBOT is a "luxury".
I wish everyone who wanted an iBOT,
had an iBOT.
As wonderful as the iBOT is, there
is definite room for improvement.
This blog is about the good AND
the bad.
*Please note: Everything in this blog is my opinion, unless otherwise stated. I am not being paid to promote the iBOT.*
For more information, please visit http://ibotnow.com/
I am writing this blog to share this
exciting time in my life with my
family and friends. I'm also doing
it to raise awareness. Not many
people know about the iBOT. I've
found that most people in the
medical field have never
even heard of the iBOT before.
I've also found that many
wheelchair users themselves
have never heard of it. There
are currently only about 400
iBOT users. I would like to
see this number go much much
higher. Unfortunately, the cost
of the iBOT is $26,100. That's
a price a lot of people cannot
afford (including myself - I got
lucky and purchased mine used).
I know many wheelchair users
who would love to have an iBOT,
but they simply cannot afford to
buy one. Most insurance companies
will not pay for even part of the
iBOT. They say the iBOT is a "luxury".
I wish everyone who wanted an iBOT,
had an iBOT.
As wonderful as the iBOT is, there
is definite room for improvement.
This blog is about the good AND
the bad.
*Please note: Everything in this blog is my opinion, unless otherwise stated. I am not being paid to promote the iBOT.*
For more information, please visit http://ibotnow.com/
Blog Archive
-
▼
2007
(150)
-
▼
October
(22)
- iBOT: Helps deal with suits
- Ugh...
- Thursday's schmooze event went well...
- Nervous
- And another thing about insurance!
- Recurring Dreams/The Importance of Balance Function
- My first party as a tall person
- iBOT at the Oregon Coast
- Stuck
- Curb video
- I just can't get enough
- Face on a Bug
- iBOT and the sand
- So much fun on the beach
- Bottin' around the neighborhood
- Does the iBOT make my neighbor's homes accessible?
- Responses to my poll question
- New poll question
- Name it
- Salee
- Not afraid
- My Fears
-
▼
October
(22)
3 comments:
Shannon, don't be overly worried about the safety. You can look up the FDA's records at www.fda.gov. Here is the results of a search for the 3 words
IBOT 4000 MAUDE:
http://google2.fda.gov/search?access=p&entqr=0&getfields=*&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&ie=UTF-8&lr=&client=FDA&q=ibot+4000+MAUDE&as=GO&ud=1&site=FDA&oe=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=FDA&ip=208.161.98.140&filter=0
where MAUDE = Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience
It looks to me like the failures involving tipping forward or backward were the effect of the user pushing things to their limits (or beyond). For example, some were during assisted stair climbing; one looked like the user was spinning the wheels trying to get up a wet curb, etc. When reading these, you have to bear in mind that the user is likely lying through their teeth as to what they were really doing, so don't be alarmed! If the iBOT is operated within its design envelope, it ought to be safe.
It's very likely that the experience you had last week will be reported to the FDA, and so will show up in their database.
- Richard
This one is amusing - it doesn't say whether it was a 3000 or 4000, but it was in 2004:
"Consumer fell coming out of the pub toilet in balance function as wheels got stuck in the partition causing the fall. This is the third time in four months this consumer has fallen."
Probably would have happened whether he was on his feet or an iBOT!
- Richard
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