8 replies to this topic

[TextualFury]

I customize everything I own. I home tailor my clothes, my poor kitty has had her fair share of harnesses in bright colors, and from my first walker on through my chair which I already have modded significantly I add my own gear.

First note is none of my modifications effect the chair's function but add to it, none change the basic elements of the chair, and none require modifications of the frame. Even the mods that are supposed to get modded because I don't want to risk the structural integrity of my chair.

I am currently modding the Pendulator cupholder to fit where I need it to not where the inventor's doohickeys let it. If I put it on his way I either must drink out of my smallest coffee cup (thirsty girl here says no) or I must forgo ever leaving my house or entering my bedroom! So I am adding a bar from the home depot on my next trip and viola issue solved.

I am going to make a washable cushion cover that adds layers between me and my existing cushions, several in fact, with varying fabrics and colors.

I have a collection of reflectors I am either getting made, making, or have already purchased from vendors so that when the light hits my chair suddenly there is a design where there was just blackness before.

In another thread I mention that I have to for doctor's purposes add a cushion to my foot plate and have that dropped down where it wouldn't actually be touching me.

I also have a sunshade. The original frame is the Dietsco version, though I had to mod the installation for this chair since it was for my scooter and they wanted me to actually DRILL THROUGH my wheelchair to put it on. (yeah right... letting screws stab me in the back right where it's busted? Are they NUTS?!)

I have a water proof cover for my joystick as well, and that is in the modification process to add a small space for money and ID, so that (I live in a bad neighborhood) if I am robbed no one actually gets my cash and they can search my wallet.

I am sure some of you are imagining a gaudy chair, and it may reach that point. Since everyone in my apartment complex that is in a chair (we all talk) has been hit by a car several times I am being proactive about visibility.

Projects now include:

A solar panel for my mp3 player, speakers since headphones make me spaz, and some solar powered lights for added visibility.

making those Underlights that clip on solar powered

adding an "invisible" compartment for tools somewhere on the back

and adding a pocket to my sunshade.

I also have costume designs that incorporate my chair wholly (and my existing and planned mods) that include the Enterprise, The Firefly Serenity, a Death Star (collapsible enough and doorway access isn't an issue), and a lot of other things including the Lincoln Memorial but that may just be for another thread.

Any thing you guys have made yourselves, added on, or may want to suggest for my own chair?

[ems]

Yup , I make all my cushion covers, in black, so no one notices them, front guards and padded strapping for the calf strap for the summer! I've made new backrests and seat slings for all my chairs over the years.

I'm not really in to "blinging" up my chair, or dressing it up!! I personally like it to look as minimal as possible, sort of see through ;)

[Apparelyzed]

Ems, otherwise known as Ninja!

Stealth mode!

Simon

[ems]

Alo si ;) I'm home!!!!!! ehheheheheeee :giggle:

[ems]

"for doctor's purposes....." Really?! Why does he need it!?

...."......add a cushion to my foot plate and have that dropped down where it wouldn't actually be touching me." so your going to add a cushion to a foot plate thats been dropped down".. so neither will touch your feet!?


I just don't get any of it..

and just what are the chances of the majority of your accommodation block all being hit by a car... several times.. seems more than just a fluke.. seems like exaggeration

[Apparelyzed]

TextualFury, on May 19 2010, 04:54 AM, said:

Any thing you guys have made yourselves, added on, or may want to suggest for my own chair?

For your chair ... Big Flashing Lights ... so cars can see you maybe ... or a copy of the Green Cross Code maybe!

Simon

[wheelywendy]

interesting to hear of your modifications, but be even better with some photos of your handywork,
i've added a few butterflies to my new chair to make it a little more girly

[TextualFury]

ems, on May 19 2010, 09:40 AM, said:

"for doctor's purposes....." Really?! Why does he need it!?

...."......add a cushion to my foot plate and have that dropped down where it wouldn't actually be touching me." so your going to add a cushion to a foot plate thats been dropped down".. so neither will touch your feet!?


I just don't get any of it..

and just what are the chances of the majority of your accommodation block all being hit by a car... several times.. seems more than just a fluke.. seems like exaggeration

They aren't all getting hit at once, this is over the course of years. Not everyone who lives in a neighborhood with no curbcuts can avoid being in the streets with magical wheelchair levitation. (yes i am working on getting the city to actually become ADA compliant, but that has been a project since before I was in a chair). Not to mention that not every wheelchair user is proactive about their safety, and some of these people do dart into traffic and play race the oncoming cars. None the less, not every instance of person in a chair playing pancake was their own fault and I don't think my body would handle a fender bender in or out of a car very well so I am just being cautious (and it gives me the excuse for hidden bat symbol shenanigans).

The cushion will touch my feet. The doctor's purposes (and my doctors are all female) include support so I don't get drop foot and decreasing the really painful pressure on the front piece.


Wheely Wendy the butterflies are lovely! I am working on getting pictures of my handiwork or even video. Once the repair guy comes today I will at least get a picture with my cellphone of the sunshade. Also some of these mods are in process.

Side note, I do have the Tasket Basket ( http://tasket-basket.com/ ) but I have to mod the mechanics of said basket in order to make it safe for me. The basket requires that you drop your foot plate which for me is no issue... on THIS chair. What about the future? Also the screws stick out and are liable to cut ankles, the brackets all have sharp edges and the basket is far from stable. My second goal is to make a small table that fits onto the same stick and footplate bracket system since the trabasack isn't available in my area yet.

[carole338]

I feel so inept. And I thought I was creative.