[misc.handicap] Inventions

Rich.Harper@f419.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Rich Harper) (03/02/90)

Index Number: 7042

        With all the talk of the Wheelchairs and inventions needed, brings 
to mind what is now happening in Colorado.  The Disabled Olympics or what 
ever you want to call them.

        Was watching a gentleman from here in Colorado that had invented a 
Bi-ski for wheelchair people to use to ski.  It had two skis instead of one, 
for a more stable base?, and a lift in the base so that you could adjust it 
to the right hight for the chair lifts.  It would hook in the back and hold 
you steady while you rode the chair lift up to the top of the run and then 
adjust down for the ski down. This was done by the use of a lever and 
something like a shock absorber or door closer.  It really worked slick. 
Sorry that I do not remember the man's name, but he was one of the top 
skiers in the olympics.

        <<Rich>>  
 

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Curtis.Oglesby@p13.f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org (Curtis Oglesby) (03/06/90)

Index Number: 7087

 RH>        Was watching a gentleman from here in Colorado that had
 RH> invented a Bi-ski for wheelchair people to use to ski.  It had two
 RH> skis instead of one, for a more stable base?, and a lift in the base
 RH> so that you could adjust it to the right hight for the chair lifts.
 RH> It would hook in the back and hold you steady while you rode the
 RH> chair lift up to the top of the run and then adjust down for the ski
 RH> down. This was done by the use of a lever and something like a shock
 RH> absorber or door closer.  It really worked slick. Sorry that I do
 RH> not remember the man's name, but he was
 RH> one of the top skiers in the olympics.

There are quite a few such adaptations.  I saw where a group at Ga
Tech had designed a sip-n-puff steering and throttle system which
allowed a very high-level quadriplegic (couldn't move arms or legs)
to operate a boat!  With todays technology, we are limited only by
our imagination (and bank account!)

Curt

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