Electric Mobility Scooters

“Introducing the Little Deuce Coupe. . .  
Forty years after its inception, the Amigo is cooler than ever!  We’re talking about the Little Deuce Scoot (LDS); an Amigo-powered “hot rod” mobility power operated vehicle/scooter. Designed by two baby boomers, Tom Khur and Joe Gaydos both from Michigan, the idea behind the LDS was to move to assistive mobility when the time came, but to do so in outrageous style while having fun.
 
Both Tom and Joe, with backgrounds in mechanics and building hot rods, brainstormed this mobility aid as a “cool ride” for the aging population. With elements of a true hot rod, the base of the LDS is a new Amigo MC power operated vehicle. Tom is quick to point out that the LDS can be totally customized and personalized, making it more fun for its owner.  A customized LDS will be in the price range of $3,200 to $5,000.

Its specifications include:
· Custom hand-laid fiberglass 1932 roadster body
· Body colors: satin black, yellow, red, baby blue (custom paint requests can be worked out such as flame at right)
· Aluminum diamond-plate floor
· Color accented seat cushions
· Hot rod custom steering wheel
· Hand controls adapted to steering wheel
· Different shift knobs can be used (dice, eight-ball, rat fink) 

George has been driving the prototype POV/scooter and has experienced positive reactions from those around him. He even introduced it to Amigo associates with the familiar lyrics of the Beach Boys playing in the background.

“People don’t look at me like I’m an old guy who can’t walk,” George said. “They give me thumbs-up when I scoot around places.”

If you would like to find out more information on the Little Deuce Scoot or wish to place an advance order, you can contact: coolscooter@littlehotrodshop.com. Or, feel free to call Tom - (313) 563-3455 or Joe (734) 218-3140.

Visit www.littlehotrodshop.com for an introduction to the ride of your life!

Aging and mobility issues are inevitable. Now you are able to add an element of fun and stay “cool” with the Little Deuce Scoot. You won’t know what it’s like. . . until you try it.

Written by: Fran Hetzner

• Cane or walking stick: The key here is getting the cane fitted to the right height. Measurements are crucial to having the best fit possible. Ideally, when you hang your arm by your side, your hand should hang just over the top of the cane, your wrist lining up with the very top of the cane. An adjustable cane is easiest for ensuring the correct height, but if you are a long-time user, you may choose a custom cane, cut to your specific height, or even a walking stick to add a little style.
When you grasp the top of the cane, your elbow should bend at about
30 degrees. If you are using a cane because of weakness on one side of
your body, place the cane in the hand of your stronger side.

• Crutches: There are basically two types of crutch styles––under the arm
(auxiliary) or cuffed to the forearm (Lofstrand or Canadian crutches). A
proper fit and some instruction on safe use is important. Seek the
assistance of a health care provider when first using crutches. Long-time
crutch users have found the style tip (the rubber tip on the bottom of the
crutch) and the grip style for your hand can add to overall comfort for
long-term use.

• Walkers: Walkers are currently available in many styles––pick-up walkers,
which have no wheels; sliders, which have small skis or tennis balls on
the rear legs; or “rollator” walkers, which employ four wheels. Some
walkers use three wheels, are triangular in shape, and offer somewhat
less support, but are not as bulky; four-wheel walkers are primarily
designed for indoor use. More robust walkers that employ four larger
wheels and a full basket are also available and may even include a fold-
down seat.

The spinal cord can be damaged in many ways, producing a variety of symptoms. It can be cut, bruised, or compressed in an accident, injured by infection, damaged when its blood supply is cut off, or affected by diseases that alter its nerve function.

Tetraplegia [formerly called quadriplegia] generally describes the condition of a person with a spinal cord injury in the cervical region. This individual can experience a loss of feeling and/or movement in their head, neck, shoulder, arms and/or chest, stomach, hips, legs, and feet.

Paraplegia is the general term describing the condition of a person who has lost feeling and/or is not able to move the lower parts of his/her body. The body parts that may be affected are the chest, stomach, hips, legs, and feet.
An individual with a level from T1 to S5 has paraplegia.

Depending on the level of injury, damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis of the muscles used for breathing; paralysis and/or loss of feeling in all or some of the trunk, arms, and legs; weakness; numbness; loss of bowel and bladder control; and numerous secondary conditions including respiratory problems, pressure sores, and sometimes fatal spikes in blood pressure.

WheelchairsAbound have products which promote independence and support heavier individuals whom wish to lead a productive life, despite their condition.

Physical challenges can make performing the functions of everyday living extremely challenging.  Fortunately, Wheelchairs Abound has a variety of products to help perform those tasks with greater ease.

Whether you need a bedside commode, a patient lift, bath or shower chair, toilet seat riser, or any number of other tools for everyday living–or you are a caregiver for someone who does—check out the selection at Wheelchairs Abound for all your home health care needs.

 Being as mobile as our abilities allow is essential for the independence of all people.  Wheelchairs Abound has a wide selection of products to help people with mobility challenges keep moving.

Whether you or someone you love needs a quad cane, a walker, a scooter, or a wheelchair, Wheelchairs Abound has whatever it takes to stay engaged in life and on the go!

You don’t have to feel awkward when dealing with a person who has a disability. This booklet provides some basic tips for you to follow. And if you are ever unsure how to interact with a person who has a disability, just ask!

The Basics
Ask before you help
Just because someone has a disability, don’t assume she needs help. If the setting is accessible, people with disabilities can usually get around fine. Adults with disabilities want to be treated as independent people. Offer assistance only if the person appears to need it. And if she does want help, ask how before you act.
 

Be sensitive about physical contact
Some people with disabilities depend on their arms for balance. Grabbing them—even if your intention is to assist—could knock them off balance. Avoid patting a person on the head or touching his wheelchair, scooter or cane. People with disabilities consider their equipment part of their personal space.

The preceding is made possible by: United Spinal Association

For prevention of skin breakdown, it is imperative we change positions in bed frequently. The skin becomes very vulnerable when continuous pressure is compromising any part of our body. Therefore, it is important to turn and reposition when sitting or lying in bed. It is generally recommended by physicians to reposition at least every two hours. 

Wheelchairs Abound offers a newly designed Freestanding Trapeze. It is very easy to assemble and even easier to move with the wheels and with a fold up configuration that has been added for easy storage. The trapeze is designed to help larger patients to change positions while in bed and aid in the transfer from bed to chairs with minimum assistance. Used in conjunction with a bed, this trapeze can assist an individual weighing up to 1000 lbs. It is designed to provide support, increase stability and assist the user when repositioning in the bed. However, it is not designed to support the total body weight of an individual. It should be used for assistance only. The overhead boom swivels from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. Boom can be locked down in 45 degree increments. The chain is adjustable from the edge of headboard to the end of boom by simply sliding to desired position. It assembles with a drill, rubber mallet, and 5/16” socket and 3/4” wrench.

There are a number of ways to prevent falls in elderly people. Four of the most basic ways are for the elderly person to begin an exercise program, have their vision checked, have their healthcare provider review medications, and to make their home safer. 

Tub transfer benches or bathtub handrails can be essential bathroom safety measures when it comes to elderly people with mobility issues.   Slipping while already in or trying to get out of the bathtub can be one of the most frequent causes of falls in the elderly.

There are many different types of reachers to assist people with functions of everyday living.  The most versatile type is probably the Raptor, which is just made to pick things from the floor or down from a high shelf.  

There are also reachers that assist users in dressing, lift their legs, sit up in bed, or put on stockings, empowering people with limited mobility to be more self-reliant.

In partnership with the Zomet Institute in Israel, Amigo Mobility is proud to offer the Shabbat Amigo! Innovative. Customized. Unique.
Amigo continues its hallmark tradition of developing niche products and the Shabbat Amigo is no exception! Allowing Orthodox Jews with walking disabilities to observe the Sabbath in full compliance, the Shabbat model is halachically-authorized by the Zomet Institute in Israel. The Shabbat option with specific Shabbat features may be added to the RT Express/RT Express Junior, RD, EXT350 or HD450 Amigo models at the time of their purchase. By switching the Amigo into Shabbat mode, the user activates a timer that automatically sets the chair in motion, satisfying the “no work” Sabbath restriction. Every Shabbat Amigo is individually inspected and certified by a Zomet representative and available through Amigo dealers.

How does the Shabbat work?
When the Amigo is put into the Shabbat mode, it connects to a separate circuit board—the Shabbat module. The Shabbat module’s timing circuit takes about 15-20 seconds to start the Amigo moving slowly on its own. There is no throttle lever activation required by the driver. This is considered an “indirect action”.

Once the Amigo is moving in Shabbat mode, the driver may pull the lever to go forward faster because the motor relay circuit has already been activated by the Shabbat module. This is not considered a “direct action.” To go in reverse, the driver must push a directional button. This causes the Shabbat to go through its timing cycle, again, before it automatically changes the motor relay for reverse driving.