Wednesday, November 3, 2010

A New World With Mobility Scooters

By Mike Garrett

Prior to mobility scooters coming on the scene, disabled people were often home-bound. While wheelchairs allowed them to move around their home they were not very practical in the outside world without an attendant. The mobility scooters have allowed many of these people to now transport themselves and become independent.

Disabled people with wheelchairs ran into trouble at times. Some of the chairs were very heavy and awkward to use, requiring manual dexterity as well as strength, in many cases, to turn the wheels. Even the electric ones had limitations including being able to go outside with ease.

There are many types of these scooters on the market today. All of them have some things in common such as the same seat arrangement of the seat on the back of a platform with controls in front. The platform not only provides a place for the drivers feet but also contains batteries and the drive system. Models are available exclusively for indoors, exclusively for outdoors, or available to be used in both places.

Maneuvering of the scooter is controlled by a turning radius, the batteries, ground clearance and wheelbase, all located inside the platform. Special efforts have been made to accommodate all types of people. As a result, there are units for large people, small people, and people with braces.

Safety features are also considered with things such as anti-tip wheels on the frame. These wheels may be located in front, back or on the side, depending on intended use. Steep or hill inclines require a different position, on the unit, compared to those used on flat areas.

Surprisingly, mobility scooters are less expensive than motorized wheelchairs and offer much more versatility in the outside world. They have allowed disabled persons, previously confined to their homes, to travel, enjoy fresh air and meet new people. They have offered an entirely new approach, and enrichment, to life for these people. It is believed that there are currently over 100,000 of these scooters in use in the U. S. At the present time.

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