A Smart And Sexy Wheelchair

THE topic on what we all need and can’t do without – toilets – has been a hot one lately in this column over the past few weeks.

 

We’ve been discussing about disabled restrooms, in particular, and why it should be strictly off limits to everyone; unless of course, you happen to be a person with a disability.

But the sad case in many situations is that handicapped facilities are abused by people without handicaps, turning a nightmare scene for a wheelchair user when they try to use it afterwards.   

Last week, however, I received an even more interesting point from another reader.

Identifying herself only as Vicky and even though she has a disability, she explained how awkward it is for her when she has to attend to the calls of nature.

“My disability is I am blind; and not in a wheelchair,” wrote Vicky.

“Whenever I want to use the loo, I don’t have to use the handicapped toilet because I don’t have a problem with my limbs,” she went on.

“But on more occasions than not whenever I head for the loo for able-bodied people I am stopped by an attendant or another staff from using it.

“I am instead directed to the toilet with the wheelchair sign on it,” said Vicky.

“I realise that these people are well-meaning.

“But no matter how much I try to explain to them that I am well capable of using the so-called 'normal' toilet, they insist I use the disabled one because I am blind.

“This not only slows me down, especially when there is someone using it, but I also don’t want to take up the space if a person in a wheelchair was having an emergency at that time,” explained Vicky.

She suggested that perhaps it would be more appropriate to label the toilet door as ‘reserved for wheelchair users’ instead.”

On employing the blind, Vicky opined that it would be best if the Government could step in and subsidise assistive devices such as screen readers for the visually impaired or toilets for those in wheelchairs. 

“Otherwise, most employers would consider us ‘too expensive’ for their budget and rather give jobs to the non disabled.

“I don’t see why when giant companies such as IBM, Google and even NASA can employ blind programmers in other countries, why are the blind in Malaysia only expected to become masseuse, basket-weavers, telephone operators or trinket sellers on street corners.” Concluded the email author.   

On another note, say “Hello” to a brand new wheelchair folks that’s about to make its debut in Malaysia and South East Asian countries very soon.

It’s called the Helio wheelchair and everything about this latest innovative high performance chair on wheels from Canada will make any handicapped person sit up and take notice.

I’ve been kept busy “test-driving” it for the past couple of weeks around my favourite hangout spots. These include several malls and restaurants in the Klang Valley and at work and on my field trips that took me down to Malacca recently.

Much to my delight the Helio manual wheelchair did not disappoint.

Its chic look design instead of the usual “hospital look” wheelchairs effectively brings out the person rather than the disability at social gatherings.

Two Helios in Megamall

It also comes in six sexy colour frames that users can pick to match their personality and character, as well as declare a proud statement.

The Helio also has an ultra lightweight body. This makes it easy for even a woman to carry the wheelchair into the boot of the car.

And because it comes with highly detachable parts, even drivers with disabilities can dismantle the key parts of the wheelchair and place them in the back seat of the car without help.

By far the most unique feature of the Helio however is that each wheelchair part can be ordered to suit to the disabled user’s needs. There are as many as 21 accessories to choose from.

But don’t let all these great adjustability light weight features fool you into thinking that this might be delicate and wobbly wheelchair. It isn’t.  

On the contrary, incorporating Formula 1 and aerospace technologies Helio comes with a robust in-built body that adds confidence and positivity to the user.

The Helio’s so smooth at the same time that it virtually glides across effortlessly with a single push rather than having to struggle with it as with other conventional wheelchairs.

The only downside is that the average price is between RM8000.00 – RM10.000. You pay more as you add on the features you need.

But then again, it is a wheelchair that you can use for a lifetime.   

Helio is the latest innovative design manual wheelchair by a company called Motion Composites.

For more information on the product, please email the local distributor KG Teo

The End

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