So, what happens when you get blown up in Iraq or Afghanistan and, through fantastic medical advancements, live through it? Are you supposed to fade away? Stay home? Or, look and act like everyone's preconceived notion of the "handicapped"?
Back in the day, a guy with a prostetic leg or a permanent limp would get serious sideways looks. For a long time, people not only pitied the disabled, but were somewhat afraid to socialize with anyone who was different physically. As if it was catching.
These days, the idea that a disabled person is an object of pity is somewhat fading, but there are still obstacles. Men and women who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan don't want to lay around pitying themselves, developing major depression on top of all the other baggage. They want to get up and go do things like they have always done. Technology in many forms have made that possible and has helped people live lives as near to pre-injury life more than anytime in the history of mankind.
There are many wonderful things available like bionic arms, protestic hands with fingers that feel hot and cold, transplants for eyes, ear drums and many other advancements that men and women from previous wars could never dream about. Of course, some of those advancements come from war; an irony that can't be lost on many. From destruction comes reconstruction.
Some of those advancements and adaptations come from the civilian world and end up making life much easier to live for the over 800 amputees and 30,000 other wounded with various degrees of injury and impact on mobilization. One of those wonderful civilian gadgets that makes life easier for wounded veterans is the Segway.
Most people are only familiar with the Segway from commercials advertising a quick and less energetic way to get from point A to B. It was advertised as something to use in a big office or in a local community. Some people might see their local community law enforcement riding these little two wheelers around. Usually doing a modern version of the foot patrol or handing out parking tickets.
But, Segway has come a long way. Instead of just being a novelty item or, as some feared, engendering the next dimension of laziness and American obesity, the Segway is starting to be recognized as a tool to help the disabled.
Let's face it, not everyone is an amputee. But, veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan still face some serious demobilizing injuries like joint fusion, loss or damage to nerves and muscles, burns that create unimaginable scarring that can prevent mobility in the affected limbs. Some have serious back injuries or other joint damage that is painful and will degenerate over time.
That doesn't mean that they should or would want to be stuck in a wheelchair or limited on range by walkers, crutches or physical strength or capabilities. It turns out that a Segway is actually a great median piece of equipment that actually allows for greater mobility. Injured vets who can't walk long distances, but don't want to be stuck in a wheelchair, use these machines to get from place to place at the office, at the grocery store, at the park and many more places. The great mobile generation simply isn't going to sit still for anything or anyone.
Still, you'd be surprised that some companies, amusement parks and other places don't really dig the idea of people wondering around the property on a two wheeler. Blackfive has the inside scoop on one of their own close associate's struggle with gaining acceptance both in public and at businesses for the machine he feels gave him his life back.
One of those companies, believe it or not, is Disney World. Shocking to some degree, but then again, not so much. Largely because the rest of the world has not really adapted to the idea that disabled doesn't mean bed or wheelchair bound. Of course, their liability insurance hasn't really caught up with the whole idea either. Except apparently for their executives and other employees.
What can you do about it? Well, for starters, you could write a polite letter to Disnery World explaining the need, uses and dignity that these machines bring for the disabled. You can also comment to the government on how you see the uses and benefits of a Segway.
For the record, I'm not being paid for or asked to advertise anything for Segway. When I read about this and thought about my experience with the disabled and others who are losing their ability to walk and its impact on their psyche, it just made sense. It's a whole new world out there and the old ways just don't cut it anymore.
Speaking of the wounded, amputees and a whole new world, do you know about the young amputee vets who are going to Beijing for the paralympics? They could use some moral and monetary support about now. Check out the video and tell me that we don't have some of the best and brightest in our military. From wounded to competing in the games within a year or two. You simply cannot beat that for perseverance, faith and sportsmanship.
Hooah! And don't forget to comment on the Segway. Our guys and gals still need our support.
Back in the day, a guy with a prostetic leg or a permanent limp would get serious sideways looks. For a long time, people not only pitied the disabled, but were somewhat afraid to socialize with anyone who was different physically. As if it was catching.
These days, the idea that a disabled person is an object of pity is somewhat fading, but there are still obstacles. Men and women who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan don't want to lay around pitying themselves, developing major depression on top of all the other baggage. They want to get up and go do things like they have always done. Technology in many forms have made that possible and has helped people live lives as near to pre-injury life more than anytime in the history of mankind.
There are many wonderful things available like bionic arms, protestic hands with fingers that feel hot and cold, transplants for eyes, ear drums and many other advancements that men and women from previous wars could never dream about. Of course, some of those advancements come from war; an irony that can't be lost on many. From destruction comes reconstruction.
Some of those advancements and adaptations come from the civilian world and end up making life much easier to live for the over 800 amputees and 30,000 other wounded with various degrees of injury and impact on mobilization. One of those wonderful civilian gadgets that makes life easier for wounded veterans is the Segway.
Most people are only familiar with the Segway from commercials advertising a quick and less energetic way to get from point A to B. It was advertised as something to use in a big office or in a local community. Some people might see their local community law enforcement riding these little two wheelers around. Usually doing a modern version of the foot patrol or handing out parking tickets.
But, Segway has come a long way. Instead of just being a novelty item or, as some feared, engendering the next dimension of laziness and American obesity, the Segway is starting to be recognized as a tool to help the disabled.
Let's face it, not everyone is an amputee. But, veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan still face some serious demobilizing injuries like joint fusion, loss or damage to nerves and muscles, burns that create unimaginable scarring that can prevent mobility in the affected limbs. Some have serious back injuries or other joint damage that is painful and will degenerate over time.
That doesn't mean that they should or would want to be stuck in a wheelchair or limited on range by walkers, crutches or physical strength or capabilities. It turns out that a Segway is actually a great median piece of equipment that actually allows for greater mobility. Injured vets who can't walk long distances, but don't want to be stuck in a wheelchair, use these machines to get from place to place at the office, at the grocery store, at the park and many more places. The great mobile generation simply isn't going to sit still for anything or anyone.
Still, you'd be surprised that some companies, amusement parks and other places don't really dig the idea of people wondering around the property on a two wheeler. Blackfive has the inside scoop on one of their own close associate's struggle with gaining acceptance both in public and at businesses for the machine he feels gave him his life back.
One of those companies, believe it or not, is Disney World. Shocking to some degree, but then again, not so much. Largely because the rest of the world has not really adapted to the idea that disabled doesn't mean bed or wheelchair bound. Of course, their liability insurance hasn't really caught up with the whole idea either. Except apparently for their executives and other employees.
What can you do about it? Well, for starters, you could write a polite letter to Disnery World explaining the need, uses and dignity that these machines bring for the disabled. You can also comment to the government on how you see the uses and benefits of a Segway.
For the record, I'm not being paid for or asked to advertise anything for Segway. When I read about this and thought about my experience with the disabled and others who are losing their ability to walk and its impact on their psyche, it just made sense. It's a whole new world out there and the old ways just don't cut it anymore.
Speaking of the wounded, amputees and a whole new world, do you know about the young amputee vets who are going to Beijing for the paralympics? They could use some moral and monetary support about now. Check out the video and tell me that we don't have some of the best and brightest in our military. From wounded to competing in the games within a year or two. You simply cannot beat that for perseverance, faith and sportsmanship.
Hooah! And don't forget to comment on the Segway. Our guys and gals still need our support.
