Today I had my first experience of being trapped in my wheelchair, unable to drive forward or backward, indeed unable to drive at all!
It all started because this wheelchair has a safety interlock switch between the tilt mechanism and the drive mechanism. I can tilt the chair way way back and take a snooze if I want (good to prevent skin sores). But beyond a certain gentle tilt, the safety interlock won't let me drive it while it's tilted. Makes sense to me.
So we were coming home from physio and I unloaded into the garage. At that point the interlock switch malfunctioned and wouldn't let me shift into drive mode at all! I could tilt, but I couldn't move!
It was cold in the garage, so Mrs. F.G. started bringing out blankets, extra coats, hats and gloves all to keep me warm (I think anticipating I would be there all night). I called the wheelchair dealer for advice and common sense kicked in. We called one of the neighbours, shifted into neutral, and between them he and Mrs. F.G. pushed me into the house. At least I was warm!
In a very timely coincidence, the wheelchair salesman was dropping by to pick up some paperwork, and he was able to figure it out. Adjust the safety mechanism, tighten a few bolts, and we're good to go again. Thank goodness!!
Glad you got it figured out.Must have been frustrating for you and Mrs.FG
ReplyDeleteFortunate that it worked out quickly enough.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, glad it worked out as it did!!
ReplyDeleteThat must have been scary for Mrs. F.G.! You will both probably end up knowing how to fix everything on the chair! Glad you are alright!
ReplyDeleteThat was a close call! But I am convinced that the universe is making sure you'll be all right, with such wonderful coincidences happening for you. But I can still say, "whew! That was close." :-)
ReplyDeleteSometimes while groaning on with my usual daily complaints about mainly miniscule things I often think of you now and the many difficulties you face each day that I haven't even imagined yet. That would have been a scary thought having to spend a night in the cold garage. Were you thinking maybe a 'campfire':))
ReplyDeleteAn adventure you were not planning for. Good thinking and temp solution then the wheelchair salesperson arrived to tinker. WHEW.
ReplyDeleteJoy
I am so glad there was someone near to help get you in the house! And glad someone happened to be coming that could and would figure out the problems.
ReplyDeleteNot good. At least you had help, a few folks around here use a comparable chair and travel the streets in town by themselves. It's good to be able to be independent, but there are times ...
ReplyDeleteHope that doesn't happen too often especially in the Temperature extremes.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe.
It's about time.
Thank goodness it was solved without a night in the freezer. What we take for granted every day, you write with such detail I can imagine being there.
ReplyDeleteKind of a scary situation. It's a good thing that it as simple to fix.
ReplyDeleteMrs FG will have to be a wheelchair mechanic! :) Glad all ended well:)
ReplyDeleteOh dear! That should not happen! Glad someone was there to get you inside.
ReplyDeletecrappola
ReplyDeletethat's scary
Glad ya got it worked out!!!
Nasty. But at least you've learned what to do if something like it happens again.
ReplyDeleteYikes!! That timely mechanic probably seemed like a guardian angel as well at the person on the phone. What would we do without neighbors.
ReplyDeleteProblems that most of us never even think of......
ReplyDelete