Since I've had my iBOT, I've had two able-
bodied people tell me that they want their
own iBOT.
WTH?
The first one was at a jr. high. A 7th or
8th grade girl said to her friends, "That's
so cool! I want one!" I didn't say anything
to her. What could I say? The person I was
with though said, "Get yourself paralyzed and
then maybe you can get one."
The second one was last night. I was at the
mall (even though I hate the mall) and I rode
in an elevator with a girl who must have been
in her early 20s. She asked me questions
about it while in the elevator and then when
we got out, she said, "I'm so jealous! I
really want one of those!" She wasn't joking.
My daughter and I just looked at each other,
completely dumbfounded. I'd give that girl
every cent I have if she would trade her
unparalyzed body for my iBOT.
Ugh. I must be going through
a stage of having no patience for AB idiot comments.
There sure have been a lot lately. "I'm jealous,
I want one!" "Now builders won't have to worry
about ramps and stuff". "The iBOT scares young
children." Pffft!
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/
6 comments:
hi my name is jonny and i really like your blog i also have a blog check it out www.jonnyrod.com i am also disabled.
When the occasional person says something to my wife about envying her (non-iBot) power chair, the response is generally "I hope you never need one."
BTW, the previous poster (Jonny) is legit.
Hi Jonny. Nice blog!
Hi Richard, hope you and C and doing well.
Hi,
Just found your blog. I get that alot about my mobility scooter on trails.
Since you are in the Portland area check out http://www.accessibletrails.com/Oregon/ore_portland/portlandindex.htm and other accessible Oregon trails (This is a work in progress).
Davey - Fantastic website! If we ever see the sun again and if it ever warms up, I will definitely be using the info you've posted!
It's funny how people can seem so oblivious to others feelings. I know she probably didn't mean to come off as rude, but yeah, you are right. If I could I would trade all the money in the world to have my fiancé walk.
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