Unfiltered thoughts about the first snowfall of the year and how it affects me as a wheelchair user
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You Will get through this winter along with all the others 😍❤️💖😍
I am in a wheelchair, not paralysed, need a colostomy. Currently have labral tears on my left hip which cause me so much agony I can't do anything except lie in bed.
When I need to get to the hospital, by taxi, pushing with my arms to get myself over my door plinth brings on the agony immediately, and I still have to transfer into a taxi, on one leg as I cannot put any weight through the other one.
The rest of the time I stay indoors and I have 1.5 hours of sitting time before I need to lie down. Needless to say I am on my own.
We each have our own struggles and they are unique to us. I am grateful for the blessings of a roof over my head and for my Smartphone.
Fred, we appreciate your comments. We too live in a place that gets snow for about 5 months of the year, although it hasn’t arrived yet so maybe we will only have the wretched white stuff for 4 months this year. Although her disability is different from yours, my wife still has problems navigating the snow and as we’ve aged, it has become more problematic for both of us. Yes, we do feel trapped at home in the winter, although we now have a Snow Service to dig us out every time it snows. So we understand. Have you had a chance to ask your “business partner” (Brittney) how she navigates the snow and the winter months as her climate is very similar to ours? But don’t let the snow discourage you from starting a family. You are an energetic resourceful dude and you and Kris will figure it out together!
Fred, I feel exactly the same way when we get our first snow fall where I live here in Northern Ontario. I'm pretty sure it's here to stay already. I get stuck sometimes even with my power chair which is super maddening, so I too have become quite a home body during the winter time. I see lots of other people in manual wheelchairs with those tiny front casters like you have. Those little things are so dangerous especially in the winter. I just replaced mine last week so it's also easier to go over the thresholds in the house in the doorways between rooms. Anyways, just wanted to say I totally sympathize with you at this time of year. Hope we don't get too many feet of snow here this year but it's not looking very good. I am however also very thankful to have a roof over my head and a working furnace to keep me and my cat warm. 🙂
You should promote the film you were in a little. Now that it is snowboarding season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h77-VqmNSo&list=PLAdiCaxp5UnJFIKUvLsoZOhnFpxXneSDi&index=1&pp=gAQBiAQB
I really understand where you’re coming from. I partially use a wheelchair and sometimes markers or crutches. Any of these three items help me on a day-to-day basis, but especially the wheelchairs when you’re in the snow you’re stuck not just literally because of you know your wheels get stuck, but if you can’t get help shoveling in the snow and aren’t physically able to do it if you can’t get out of the house till that stuff melts off and people don’t think about it, they shovel and block the sidewalk you can’t get in the storebecause you can’t get on the sidewalk. I really understand that and I’m sorry you have to put up with it too, but you bring up some really good points. Thank you for addressing it.
Have you thought about getting a pair of mountain bike wheels for your wheelchair? Mine are so much better than normal ones for snow and mud. Also you can swap them back before you go back inside
I absolutely hate this life sometimes. It always feels like there is something in the background thinking, what can we do to make this just that little bit more unbearable.
On Tuesday, I’m moving to a very snowy area, from somewhere with almost dry winters. I’m here with you brother! I gotta get my nubby tires ready.
Why do you live there? (Neutral-tone question 😊) Is it possible to live somewhere warm?
Fred, i hear you, skiing was my life and use to live for the winter, now i dread the cold, the dark, the snow. My wheelchair has reopened the world to me, but the winter just shoves disability in your face.
I hate winter. The road workers don't care. Bigger front wheels help
I relate to the snow problem, and I’ve had a few promising things go south this week (the fact that they were promising made it feel worse), but like you I’m trying to be grateful for all the other good things in my life.
So sing it with me…
Snowflakes keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the snow by complaining!
Do you have a remote starter for your vehicle? That and a garage make a world of difference.
Fred, it’s amazing that you are brave enough to share your personal ramblings with the world and embrace vulnerability. I’ve no practical advice but know the snow, like everything in life, is temporary – as you know. You’re gonna make an amazing dad and I’m sure everyone who knows you personally and follows you will agree. Keep your pecker up man ❤
Could you bring a bag of sand with you to spread under your wheels? Or buy snow wheels for your wheelchair.
Ugh I feel you brother and can totally relate with your parenting concerns. 2 years ago, I took Ellie to a daddy/daughter dance and we found it had snowed 5 inches by the time we returned to the car. I also didn’t bring a snow scraper. Lovely! But l muscled to through with frozen bare hands. Sometimes, we have to be ready to spring into a “failure is not an option” mindset. If all fails, asking for help is needed. The beauty of children is they grow quickly. Before you know it, you will have a small helper who can lend another hand. Don’t sweat it. I know you will be just fine.
Hi Fred after 33 years in my chair your comments really resonate with me. People say “concentrate on what you can do” and I do but the physical restrictions with a wheelchair sometimes are insurmountable for me. Still I’m British so stiff upper lip, mustn’t grumble 😊
Hey there, Fred! I just love watching your videos and as a wheelchair bound amputee with dual spinal cord injuries and a brain injury I truly feel your winter-borne pain and frustration! But I might know of the perfect solution for you!!!
Have you ever heard of or considered purchasing a GRIT Freedom Chair? It is a dual-lever and chain driven, three-wheeled wonder that is beyond capable in dominating almost any offroad or difficult terrain!
The Freedom Chair features fat and knobby 26" mountain bike tires in the rear and a large, wide pneumatic wheel on a boom to the front, all of which can be inflated or deflated to your desired and needed pressure.
Deep, sucking mud? No problem. Thick fluffy, new fallen snow? Absolutely do-able. A slick and icy roadway? You'll be completely fine. Sand at the beach? No worries at all. You'll be down to the water so fast it will make your head spin.
Now, you are probably thinking I'm a well-paid representative for GRIT, but I'm not. I'm just an average guy who happened to purchase one of these amazing self-propelled machines and I am a loud voice trying to let other people know just how life changing the purchase of one of these chairs can be!
Despite my many and very real disabilities I am an avid outdoor adventurer and I have a YouTube channel, "Handicapable Adventures", where I share videos featuring my solo and group camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, off-roading, and hunting outings – all of which require the extensive use of my Freedom Chair.
But how transportable is it????
Well, I regularly transport it in the back of my small SUV and I have multiple videos that show me packing my chair down onto the back of my kayak and then taking it with me on all my multi-day river trips! Needless to say, my opinion is that it is very transportable!
Check GRIT out. Their Freedom Chairs are expensive but worth every single penny. If you're interested in knowing more hook up with me on Facebook. I'll introduce you to GRIT and we'll see what kind of deal we can work out for you. I've brought GRIT multiple new clients and they've always offered them discounts when I've brought them in.
Geez… I really do need to see why the folks over at GRIT aren't paying me for my voice!!! HAHAHAHA
Trevor Montgomery
Handicapable Adventures
I so understand your struggles. I live in Sweden and are very familiar with snow 😊 I have 2 tips for you that has made my life a bit easier first tip is a Freewhell and the second is reTyre Traction (tyre skins)
Both can be bought at Panthera. Hope this helps 😊
Thank you for all your awesome videos
im sure most won't get what you mean at all. its definitely something you can't understand unless you are also stuck in a wheelchair.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Decent leaf blower for clearing snow and slightly wider tyres for better grip 👍