Happy Anniversary!

While some people celebrate wedding anniversaries or birth anniversaries, I seem to celebrate a different kind (in addition to the norm). March 26, 1986. It was 28 years ago, but yet I can remember the day like it was yesterday.

It was a Wednesday, just like today, and I was home from school for the week for Easter week. I got on my 10 speed and set off for a long ride up the San Gabriel River bike trail starting at my apartment in Seal Beach, Ca.

Towards the end of my 20 mile ride, I (like other young kids at the time) felt it necessary to get my bike registered in case it got stolen. I stopped at the police station and they said they didn't handle that, but try town hall or the fire department. Town hall didn't either and so I trekked across the street to the fire house. They registered bikes, but only on Saturdays.

This was too bad because my bike was destroyed not 2 minutes after I left. I, carelessly, pulled out from between two parked cars and rode my bike headlong into an oncoming Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf.

On this day, 28 years ago, I broke my neck and became an incomplete quadriplegic. Since then, I have become a completely different (better in my mind) person and have had many experiences that I will remember forever (some bad, most wonderful).

Needless to say, I got back on a bike and have had fun both on and off the bicycle seat. As I have aged, I find myself using 3 wheels instead of 2, but not all the time. I am ok with that as I have really enjoyed the past 28 years. And now that I have the Trekinetic K2, it has reopened all the roads I found closing up.

More snow and the mall...

So another snow day and a trip to the mall...

There was more snow on the ground than expected. Yes, we just had a foot on Tuesday, but that was cleared away. It was currently snowing and there was about an inch plus of snow and dirty, salty, sandy snow. Needless to say, I had no trouble getting through the parking lot or up the snow covered wheelchair ramp.

My main gripe, however, was almost all the stores I wanted to go into. Major fail. I mean, I know my wheelchair is wide, but c'mon. It's not that hard to organize your store better.

My first obstacle was Zumiez. There was a wire basket down low on a rack that was in my way preventing me from going further into the store. On the other side, there was a table that was too close to a column keeping me from going that way. I turned around and went out.

Next, I went into American Eagle Outfitters. Again, it was a display table that was too far into the aisle.

PacSun, I just went in and then turned right back around again.

Now, I was with one of my children so I didn't make a stink. I wonder what would've happened if I had opened my mouth...

Maybe next time I'll "stand up" for my rights.

Lazy-ass New Yorkers...

Made it to the city that never sleeps on Thursday. My family and I went to the American Museum of Natural History. Here we can see I'm loving being up around the planets... It was a grand time and got so many looks. I'm thinking it was the chair. ;)
One observation though, is the sad, lazy-ass people...so many lazy people just filing into the elevators, not even thinking, hey, this dude NEEDS this thing. But, you know, it's New York...whaddya expect?!!

Snow time!

I made it into the snow! This chair is a beast! I had fun tooling around in the snow. It's been a while that I've been able to get out in it and I really enjoyed rolling around instead of being stuck.

I also got a short vid of me going down the small hill in my backyard.

Valley Forge Beer Fest

So last night at the Valley Forge Beer Festival, I had a lot of people come up to me asking all about my kick-ass cool chair. This photo does not show these people, it shows me and my posse having fun. Pretzel necklace completes the picture.

The Trekinetic K2 is turning heads all over the place. I even gave my name and number to a gent who works with and raises money for veterans in and around Philly. He said he is going to contact me this week about info about the chair. Either that, or he was going to put my number all over bathroom stalls.
 



Oh, and check me out over on the Twitter @mytrekinetic !

F1 Inspired Wheelchairs.

F1 Inspired Wheelchairs
Formula-1 is the highest class of motor sport in the world.  It’s a fast paced world where cars can race at up to 220 mph in certain conditions but for these cars to reach these speeds and drive smoothly and safely they need to be at the forefront of science and technology.  But did you know that the science behind Formula-1 is actually spilling out into other fields and even everyday life?  Click thru to read the rest of the article.

Not just another disabled person in a wheelchair

Below is Max's story. It sounds very much like what I would say and what I would want/do. I am a very unique individual (or try to be). I didn't want my wheelchair to be this boring, "normal" looking wheelchair. I really liked the Trekinetic K-2. The chair is so different. It is innovative in how it's more efficient when pushing yourself and how it is easier to get to more places.

Anyway, here's what Max had to say:

I like the design and how this reflects on the user (i.e. not medical and someone who cares about the way things look), and its ability to go places which are difficult to tackle in a traditional manual wheelchair.
It's made a lot of difference to my life. It has enabled me to go places I wouldn't have easily been able to go otherwise - beaches, mud paths, gravel drives, etc. It has also enabled me to travel much more easily - e.g. recently we went to Lisbon, full of cobbles and hills.
Equally importantly, it allows my personality to be expressed more accurately (i.e. I transcend being 'just another disabled person in a wheelchair').

I, too, have transcended being "just another disabled person in a wheelchair". This chair is just miles above other chairs I've used/seen. And I'll tell you, once you see it in person, sit in it and give it a spin, I think you'll understand.