That old adage "just when we thought we had seen it all" applies to the next story.
We serviced a new wheelchair lift in our shop a few weeks ago. The critical front safety barrier on the platform was cut down from 5 inches to 3 inches by the installer so the footpieces of the customer's wheelchair could hang over the edge of the platform. Numerous safety features on the lift were removed and the lift was starting to lean out of the van because it had been installed so poorly.
The first thing we do when we repair a lift is find the Braun tag with the model number and identification information. On a good day, these stickers tell us everything we need to know about this lift, down to the last nut and bolt. They also tell us the warranty information for this lift.
Whoever installed this lift removed the tag, voiding the warranty. Without the model and identification numbers replacing cylinders, wiring harnesses and many other items on the lift becomes very difficult. Without the ID numbers we don't know if the lift is covered by its three year warranty.
After some investigation, it turns out that the installing dealer was not a Braun dealer and had bootlegged the lift from another dealer. When we find out who that dealer was there will be some screaming and consequences.
This is not just a matter of the customer getting screwed by two less than reputable dealers. Since April 1, 2005, wheelchair lifts for vans have been covered by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, just like airbags, seat belts, and many other parts of cars and trucks. The installation of this lift was a federal offence punishable by a $1,000.00 fine per violation, and there may have been multiple violations.
Particularly sad in this case is that the consumers involved are an elderly couple who had been dealing with this particular dealer for years and trusted him. If they had done their homework and contacted the manufacturer, in this case The Braun Corporation, they would have found that the guy they dealt with was not a Braun dealer.
The mobility business and the business of manufacturing automobiles changes constantly. The consumer cannot assume vehicles, lifts, or dealers have not changed since they purchased their last adapted vehicle. After your vehicle is two or three years old, it is almost impossible to exactly replicate it down to the last detail. Always make sure you start from scratch and make sure of the fit and features of the hardware and with whom you are dealing.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Motion is the Ultimate Freedom
In July of last year I wrote an article for New Mobility Magazine about Robots assisting persons with disabilities.
I looked at the current state of robot design and had some fun with the concept of R2-D2 or C3PO becoming helpers in the near future. It is without a doubt an incredibly fascinating idea to have mechanical aids helping people with disabilities. Talking with the researchers gave me the hope that we will see this happen sometime in our lifetimes.
As part of the article we asked people with disabilities to respond and tell us their vision of a perfect robot and what its most important tasks would be. We only received three responses, but all three had a universal theme.
A few people wanted the robot to do chores, some wanted it to look cute, but everyone wanted the robot to lift them, help them transfer, or help them change position.
It occurred to me that perhaps the ultimate freedom for someone who cannot move is to be able to move any time they want to or need to move because of pain or pressure. The other part of this freedom is to be able to move without being at someone's mercy, begging for help, or bothering another person. They understand that no matter how generous, their need is still inconveniencing someone else. Movement with the help of a machine is still better and gives a greater feeling of freedom.
I can appreciate this feeling when I get out on the ice in a hockey sled. The feeling of moving, sliding, and defying friction is incredible. To move without wheels, without wings, without a motor, is an awesome feeling. Freedom is one way to describe the sensation.
All of this reminds me modifying vans and cars for persons with disabilities is actually providing motion and by definition freedom to the people who use our vehicles.
KB
I looked at the current state of robot design and had some fun with the concept of R2-D2 or C3PO becoming helpers in the near future. It is without a doubt an incredibly fascinating idea to have mechanical aids helping people with disabilities. Talking with the researchers gave me the hope that we will see this happen sometime in our lifetimes.
As part of the article we asked people with disabilities to respond and tell us their vision of a perfect robot and what its most important tasks would be. We only received three responses, but all three had a universal theme.
A few people wanted the robot to do chores, some wanted it to look cute, but everyone wanted the robot to lift them, help them transfer, or help them change position.
It occurred to me that perhaps the ultimate freedom for someone who cannot move is to be able to move any time they want to or need to move because of pain or pressure. The other part of this freedom is to be able to move without being at someone's mercy, begging for help, or bothering another person. They understand that no matter how generous, their need is still inconveniencing someone else. Movement with the help of a machine is still better and gives a greater feeling of freedom.
I can appreciate this feeling when I get out on the ice in a hockey sled. The feeling of moving, sliding, and defying friction is incredible. To move without wheels, without wings, without a motor, is an awesome feeling. Freedom is one way to describe the sensation.
All of this reminds me modifying vans and cars for persons with disabilities is actually providing motion and by definition freedom to the people who use our vehicles.
KB
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