Active Mobility Center Knows the Power of Networking

People buy from people they trust, and they need to get to know you before they trust you.  This process makes it difficult for companies who depend on traditional advertising. 

If you have tried print, video, social marketing, networking, and exhibits, I am sure you will have found that networking and exhibits where you are face to face with people increase your odds in building a relationship of trust which will likely recruit more customers.

Many people do not know they are networking every day of their life.  They tell people what they like and what they don't like.  In business, advertising is expensive, and networking can dramatically help increase the number of people that you can explain why you are valuable.

If you have a clear message, and can back up what your promise you will create an amazing word of mouth business. 

This article was written by Carey Britton with Active Mobility Center. He can be reached at 954-946-5793 or at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com

Active Mobility Center says to Emb(race) Everyone

Emb(race) is an event put on by Stand Among Friends at FAU to support diversity.  Active Mobility Center was pleased to support the 4th annual race on February 23rd of 2014. Hundreds of people came out to support this all-inclusive family fun event that features a 5k & 10k walk/run and one mile family walk; all to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

Their programs help them transition to greater independence; learn work, technology and social skills while emphasizing their talents, interests and education. We help them realize and achieve their career aspirations and widen their social opportunities--so they can experience a meaningful life, both personally and professionally.

Through a comprehensive employment program, state-of-the-art assistive technology program and lab, vocational evaluations and community outreach efforts, Stand Among Friends helps people regain their independence and dignity. Over 1,200 individuals have participated in our programs and we have placed over 500 individuals in active employment.

The Disabilities Center is located on the campus of the Florida Atlantic University in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in Boca Raton, Florida. The Center, which is designated as a Center of Excellence in the State of Florida University system, coordinates research efforts to develop new approaches, products and services for people with all disabilities.

Thanks to all that came out ad supported this event. Carey Britton, seating and mobility specialist, can be reached at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com or 954-946-5793.

Active Mobility Center at the Muscle Walk in Palm Beach

The Muscle Walk !

Last week, Active Mobility Center participated in the MDA Muscle Walk at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter Florida.  The Muscle Walk supports the efforts of the MDA helping to research treatments and an eventual cure for this terrible condition.

This year Active Mobility Center will be more visible in the community, listening and learning on how we can be a more valuable resource to South Florida. Please help us by making any suggestions on how we can be more valuable.

This article was written by Carey Britton with Active Mobility Center in Pompano Beach. Any questions or commetns can be directed to Carey at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com or (954) 946-5793.

Special Needs Grocery Cart

Did you know there are grocery carts made for special needs children? I was recently made aware that a family who founded Parent Solution Group, LLC where they struggled with taking their child shopping to the grocery store. This is a regular problem I hear from families I work with and this could really help with everyday life.  Trying to push and navigate with  a wheelchair/stroller and grocery cart is challenging to impossible, making families make arrangements to make a  trip to the store.

A local South Florida Publix is testing a special needs shopping cart at 1180 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Store #362 on the corner of Okeechobee Blvd.. The phone # is 561-790-4802. They are... using Caroline's Carts, which enables you to put a larger disabled child into a special seat on the front of the cart. You can see the cart at their website http://www.carolinescart.com/. Please tell your friends an families know about this important test, if we don't prove a need, then obviously they won't put them in other stores! See the store manager and ask for one in your home store.

 

This article was provided by Carey J. Britton, Seating and Mobility Specialist, for Active Mobility Center and can be reached at (954) 946-5793 or cbritton@wheelchairguys.com.

The Vast Array of Wheelchair Tires

Joe Navarro, Service Technician with Active Mobility, presented to the staff today an in-depth look at Wheelchair Tires. Joe explained that wheelchair tires are different than bicycle tires as they are non-marking for in-door use. Tires come in a wide variety of sizes, and have different purposes.

Rear Tires range in size from 12” to 26”, and Casters range from 3” to 9” in diameter.  The rear wheel sizes affect the seat to floor heights and reach to the wheel by the wheelchair user.  The rear tires are offered in Pneumatic, Flat Free, or Polyurethane (Poly).  The Pneumatic are always the softest ride, and through research show that are the easiest on the shoulders.  Many uses do not want to have to check and inflate tires so they choose Flat free or Poly.  Flat Free uses the same pneumatic tires, where the inner tubes are removed and are replaced with plastic inserts.  Polyurethane tires are lighter than the Flat Free Inserts and are a little softer ride.

The width of the rear tires also come in different sizes from 1” to 2.25”.  The narrower tires reduce the rolling resistance so the are much easier to start moving and keep moving; whereas the wider tires work better over unstable and softer surfaces (grass /sand). 

High Pressure Tires are used on the many of the ultra-light and sports products. These allow inflation of 90-110 lbs, and offer significantly less effort for self propulsion.  These tires tend to wear faster, but allow for greater performance. These tires have tubes that are either Presta or Shrader valves, which may require a special pump adapter to fill.  Additionally there are tubes that are thicker, called thorn resistant, which offer greater protection from punctures.

Caster Tires, the smaller front wheels, are offered in 3” (rollerblades) to 9” .  Many of these have tires that are molded to the hub and require the entire caster to be replaced, where as others allow replacement tires in both polyurethane or pneumatic.

Although the presentation was dedicated to rear wheels, wheel locks were discussed as they are affected by the tire types.  Many times as wheels wear the wheel locks no longer grip the tires and require adjustment. Additionally some wheel locks perform better on pneumatic tires over solid types.

Scooters, powered operated vehicles, also use both pneumatic and solid tires. The same holds true with these products where air/pneumatic tires last longer in wear, but are susceptible in getting a flat tire and require regular maintenance. Solid tires wear faster than pneumatics however for many the compromise to not becoming stranded outweigh the softer ride and longer times between tire changes.

Joe provided a thorough presentation of tires, and made everyone realize how confusing it can be for a wheelchair user and their caregivers. It is a good thing that Joe is at Active to help advise and service the equipment. Joe can be reached at service@wheelchairguys.com. 

This article was written by Carey Britton, Seating and Mobility Specialist, at Active Mobility Center and can be reached at (954) 946-5793 or at cbritton@wheelchairguys.com.