Mobility Friends Together

The 28^th National Veterans Wheelchair Games are set to begin this weekend in Omaha, Nebraska. This is the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the world and more than 500 athletes have entered.

It is taking place at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and helps to improve the quality of life for disabled veterans. It can greatly improve the confidence and health of those who enter and often around a quarter of the attendees have never participated in any type of wheelchair sport competition before.

Lasted 4 days from July 25^th to July 29^th, this event is presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Sports are an excellent type of therapy for those who are mobility challenged and can be used to help with many types of disability. There are over 15 different sporting events taking place at the Wheelchair Games. This includes swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, basketball, bowling, and even a motorized wheelchair rally.

To find out more visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

People all over the country use electric power wheelchairs to ensure that they can retain their mobility and go many places that they might not be able to otherwise. It is very important to be very conscious of cars and vehicles though, because it can be difficult for drivers of large vehicles to see people in wheelchairs. One 21 year old man in Michigan learned this the hard way.

Ben Carpenter was crossing an intersection when the light changed to green. A tractor trailer waiting at the light started to accelerate and Carpenters electric power wheelchair became lodged in the grill of the truck. What followed was undoubtedly a very scary ride.

The tractor trailer accelerated to over 50 miles per hour with Carpenter riding in the front. Several motorists called 911 and finally were able to get the tractor trailer to pull over to the side of the road. Luckily Carpenter was uninjured and the only damage to his wheelchair was a little bit of lost rubber on the wheels.

This situation illustrates how important it is to make certain that drivers are aware you are present. It is best to avoid crossing or using public roads whenever possible, but if you must cross the road always make eye contact with the driver first. You can not rely on others to see you, so you must make certain they do before crossing the road.

Thankfully this situation turned out very well. Carpenter was uninjured and only a little shaken, but it could have been much worse.

Almost everyone spends a little time in their recliner everyday. For those that watch TV or read that time may be considerably longer. If you suffer from mobility related problems such as muscular diseases, arthritis, or if you are just a little older then it may be very hard to stand up from a sitting position. Lift chairs, often doctor recommended, are one way to solve this problem. Lift chairs are essentially recliners, but with a few significant differences. Lift chairs make it much easier to stand and sit in a controlled manner because the base of these chairs lifts and lowers. In addition to the motorized lifting base, the back rest and foot rest are motorized as well.

Golden Technologies, a manufacturer of home medical equipment, produces several quality lines of lift chairs. The Golden MaxiComfort is one such line that goes above and beyond the normal expectations of a lift chair. The MaxiComfort series uses zero-gravity positioning to provide the best and most ergonomic sitting position available. The zero-gravity sitting position, developed and heavily researched by NASA, is one of the best ways to relieve back and neck pain. In the zero-gravity reclining position, the legs are raised above the heart. This in turn puts your back and spine into the correct resting position.

One of the most important parts of the zero-gravity reclining position is that your spine is put into the correct neutral position, but there are many other advantages as well. The zero-gravity position relieves stress on the lower back and reduces or eliminates disc compression. It also helps improve lung capacity and circulation due to the way the torso is positioned relative to the legs. The neutral back position maintains the natural curves of the spine and reduces strain on the ligaments and muscles. These features are incredibly important if you suffer from back problems, but also if you want to keep your body healthy.

The Golden MaxiComfort incorporates the patented zero-gravity technology flawlessly and comes in 4 sizes. The remote control is incredibly easy to use. It has two buttons which can be used to control the chair as a whole unit. If you desire individual control there are 4 buttons that control the back rest and foot rest independently By having this choice, the chair is the perfect choice for both those who have trouble seeing or can not use a complicated remote, as well as those who want to be able to customize their sitting position to find the most comfortable and relaxing position. This is what is referred to as an infinite position lift chair, which means that virtually any safe combination of leg and back positions can be achieved.

Using the zero-gravity reclining position has been proven to reduce back strain and is the best way to ensure proper circulation. In addition, because it reduces the pressure on the lungs and increases lung capacity, it is great for people with breathing problems. It also is an incredibly attractive and well made chair, so it is the perfect addition to any living room.

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