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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/
3 comments:
Closing down the manufacturing probably means laying people off. In these tough times, that could be used for leverage with the politicians from Michigan -- local, state, Congress, and Senate. Perhaps they can push on Medicare as well.
I think getting that story in the news is important as well.
Try CTS (Creative Technology Services>
Via Google:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ibot+manufacturer+canton&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=
Article from October 3, 2007, about renewing the manufacturing contract: http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1088372/independence_technology_a_johnson__johnson_company_renews_its_contract/index.html
CTS does not make only iBOTs. And since not many iBOTs have been made over the years, my guess is that they won't be laying anyone off because of this. Or, at least they won't be laying off many.
Thanks so much to whomever sent the links! I just got off the phone with them and they said that they are currently still making the iBOTs, because they are still filling some orders, but they suspect in the near future J&J will tell them to stop. I asked if he happened to know if another company would take over the marketing of the iBOT and he said he couldn't tell me... not because he wasn't allowed to tell me but because he simply didn't know.
Also, he was told that if he received any calls regarding the iBOT, he was instructed to give the J&J customer service number. I've been there already!
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