The Shabbat Scooter

Offered in Small and Mid Sized

For many wheelchair users, getting around the home is difficult but getting to the Synagogue can be impossible during Shabbat.  Amigo offers a product that is certified by the Zomet Institute to offer a solution to people with mobility challenges to maintain their independence and faith.

Orthodox Jews don't drive vehicles or use anything motorized during the Shabbat, or Sabbath, which lasts from sundown Friday to nightfall Saturday. Amigo Mobility International has a specially designed scooter that allow Orthodox Jews to follow their beliefs and still make it to the synagogue.

Shabbat Controls

Amigo is  the Manufacturer of the only certified "Kosher Scooter," Amigo works in partnership with Zomet Institute in production of the Shabbat Amigo used on the Sabbath. A toggle switch changes operation from normal to Shabbat mode. With no throttle lever activation by the rider, the module’s timing circuit sets the chair in motion after 7-11 seconds, satisfying the “no work” Sabbath restriction. Each Shabbat Amigo is halachically-approved, individually inspected and certified by a Zomet representative.

This article was contributed by Carey Britton, Seating Specialist from Active Mobility Center. He may be contacted at (954) 946-5793 or cbritton@wheelchairguys.com .

Happy Labor Day

From All of us at Active Mobility Center, we hope you and your family has a safe and joyful Labor Day.  We will be closed on Labor Day to allow our staff a day off to rest and recharge.  We are proud of our staff, over the past year we have made several changes to improve the way we do business to better support our customers.

Thank You for Your continued Support !

Active Mobility Center

1404 SW 13th Court

Pompano Beach, Florida 33069

(954) 946-5793

www.wheelchairguys.com

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.

New Wheelchair Clinic

I was happy to see a project finally beginning after a year of discussion with Nova South Eastern University. I had met with Adrienne Lauer, OT and professor with Nova to discuss a need in our community. There are several clinics for children to educate and monitor seating, mobility and posture; however there is little access for adults. In my over 20 years of service in the community, we continue to see and hear issues with access, and issues with satisfaction.  After a few discussions, the goal was to create a clinic at Nova to not only provide these needed services, but also create a place that may bring new clinicians and technicians together to ensure access and exertise for future generations.

With a bump in the road at Nova for space to hold this clinic, we had approached the Broward Center for  Independent Living to be a site for this seating/mobility clinic.  After some discussion and planning; and with the help of the CIL, we introduced the clinic on August 30th, 2013.  

Our Launch was successful bringing in people with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and powered mobility equipment. The concept was well received, with several people making appointments for the next clinic, and several others wanting to tell their friends and families about this valuable service.

This new concept is still in it's infancy, and will be guided by the community for it's direction.  Several members of the audience indicated that when they received their equipment, they didn't know what they needed and left it up to the therapist and equipment company. They were anxious to learn more and to be able to advocate for themselves.

The intent of this clinic is to reach people in the community who do not know where to go for help with their mobility and seating needs.

This article is written by Carey J. Britton, seating and mobility specialist with Active Mobility Center. He can be reached at (954) 946-5793 or cbritton@wheelchairguys.com

Walker & Wheelchair Combo

For years we have consulted customers for four wheeled walkers and companion wheelchairs. For individuals who limited ambulation and nee the support from a walker and fatigues needing a seat, the four wheeled walker has been a great solution. For long distances, these walker users, have sat on the seat and had a caregiver push them which is not safe; but for many transporting a walker and wheelchair is not practical.

Now mobility challenged individuals have another choice, a 4 wheeled walker, with seat that converts to a companion wheelchairs.

 

 

 

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



Lift Chairs are not One Size Fit's All

We were fortunate to have Ruth Scheman with Active Mobility Center provide an educational in-service for our staff on Lift Chairs.  I have been involved in DME, Seating and Positioning and I learned a lot from Ruth. 

What is a Lift Chair?

Lift chairs were designed to allow people to power recline the chair, but more importantly to power raise the chair up where the user's legs are unflexed to make standing easier.  These chairs are very helpful for anyone who has some difficulty standing from a sitting position.  Over the years, these chairs have evolved from a 2-position chair that offers limited recline, a 3 position chair, that offers full recline and now a infinite position chair which is the best for individuals who want to reduce lower extremity swelling. The most trusted manufacturers of Lift chairs are Pride Mobility and Golden Technologies.

These chairs come in a variety of colors and fabrics. Once only offered in vinyl or fabric are now offered in leather, and a wide selection of vinyl and fabrics.

Which Chair is Right for You?

There is an art in matching a person's needs/wants into the most appropriate equipment. These chairs come in petite to extra large sizes. There are different pad options that provide support/stability to different body styles which affect support/stability and comfort. There are removable arm styles, different hand controls, optional heat/massage, incontinent coverings, trays and overlays.

Does Insurance Pay for these chairs?

Generally Insurance only considers funding for the power mechanism of the chairs, and not the furniture. There are medical necessity requirements where the individual must ambulate to some point independently to quality for this equipment.

Conclusion

Lift Chairs make a huge difference in the lives of people with mobility challenges. It can provide a sitting and sleeping surface; and a place to reduce swelling and provide comfort. These chairs  are categorized by how much they recline. These chairs have many options and interested people will get the best results by consulting with a lift chair specialist.  Learning and Understanding  all the options will insure your satisfaction of your choice.

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

Wii Wheelchair Gives Mobility to Disabled Infants

• Cerebral Palsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Paralysis Cures
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Technology is amazing; this has been used in NY as a creative game that teaches mobility challenged children how to safely drive a powered motorized device (PMD). This information was shared to me from a local therapist in South Florida as we were talking about emerging technology for children and adults with mobility challenges.

 

A team of researchers, in 2009 developed the prototype of a motorized wheelchair in order to provide “safe powered mobility to infants with physical disabilities who are less than two years of age.” IC Tots on Bots is a collaborative research project among the departments of Computer Science, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy at Ithaca College in New York.

The balance board has responsive pressure sensors in each of its four corners and built in Bluetooth capabilities. They are using a commercial Bluetooth adapter and WiiYourself! C++ library to access balance board data within our robotics software. Their software compares the values of the four pressure sensors to determine which, if any, direction the infant is leaning. When a sustained lean is detected, the robot begins to move in that direction. When the child reaches out for an item, he or she leans in the direction of the item and moves towards it. We believe this will be the most intuitive method for a young child to learn to use.

Because each child moves differently from any other, the researchers are working on creating parameter files that are tailored to the individual. In addition, the Pioneer 3 robotic platform uses sonar to keep from bumping into objects, which helps keep babies safe from collisions. For ultimate peace of mind, there is also a remote-control joystick that provides wireless parental override.

                                 

 

It is great when people think outside the box and apply different technologies to create new solutions that may improve people's lives.  This should be a great tool in schoos and therapy centers to help children to move through space, increase development and improve independence.

 

This device was not found currently available in a recent search.

 

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