Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Archive for the ‘General’ Category
Rock im Park 2015
Tuesday, June 16th, 2015New savetysystem detected in Sri Lanka
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015The traffic in Sri Lanka for us Europeans takes some time to get used to. As a training camp I recommend Frankfurt “Platz der Republic” during rush hour and a fair; driving through junctions, honking horns and squeezing through anything… and somewhere in between still fits a tuk-tuk or a moped.
This is called efficient road use – keeping a safety distance is wasted asphalt During the past 15 years a lot has happened with the infrastructure, but somehow pedestrian crosswalks are still perceived as decoration, and cows and elephants always have the right of way anyway … aahh … or so.
Using the horn is prohibited in front of temples, and this is really the ONLY traffic rule obeyed!!!
This moped rider shows some astounding creativity in developing a new innovative safety concept for two-wheelers, at the same time bio-airbag, side impact protection and spacer. For this purpose he uses renewable raw materials in form of jackfruits.
Other than the cushioning effect in accidents ripe jackfruits spread such a stench that no other vehicle dares to get closer than a few feet. However, the improvement of the aerodynamics is negatively offset by the increase of the total weight of 150 kg – from zero to 50 in 2 minutes. To read the complede “Sri Lanka- serial” ,
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Helicopter flight above Sri Lanka
Sunday, May 31st, 2015Sri Lanka, all that green and no apple trees
We were suitably picked up by a driver named “Amigo”, sporting aviator mirror sunglasses, in a silver-colored Hummer (as labeled on the hood, yet with a Honda logo at the steering wheel) and brought to the military airport in Colombo.
We were greeted by a welcome committee ready with a wheelchair, in which Lieutenant Dan probably sat already. Fortunately, they let me use my own.
We were the only tourists at the entire airport. The security chief himself took care of us right away. Our tour guide did honor to his name when he was suddenly back in the security area before us, because the security chief happened to be an old classmate of his.
Meanwhile the four bored immigration attendants were waiting in their turquoise blue saris for the end of their work day.
A golf cart pulled up equipped with mountings for flags, so strictly speaking a diplomat’s car. I started to feel like celebrity After some negotiation I was allowed to make the 100 meters to the launch site in my chair. For that I was accompanied by one of the turquoise wrapped ladies as a personal umbrella holder and also by two of my very own security guards. In my entourage puttered the golf cart with the three other passengers, one more sari-lady and even more security. Did I have a sign “Follow Me” on my vest?!
Arriving at the helicopter we were greeted by the pilot while another three men came from the hangar. I guess, I was the highlight of the day, perhaps even month, and everybody wanted to be there when the crazy white wheelchair man boarded the helicopter.
Approx. twelve men stood around me and waited for a command, how to best get me up and in there (seat height was about 1.40 m). The well proven safety grip did not work in this case.
As a result my old dream of a palanquin wheelchair was almost met, when four men lifted my wheelchair up to entrance height, from where I could with the help of my slide board comfortably slide on to the seat. This way my slide board literally turned in to a flight board The ground troops were thrilled! For a short while I felt like sitting on a throne, since everybody else was still down on the ground. I was tempted to wave to my people like the Queen, but then rather decided on a shy thumbs-up. What an uplifting feeling! It is indeed very special for someone who sits in a wheelchair, to suddenly be the tallest person around
We were flying towards the middle of the island to Kandy, and the pilot managed nicely to stay ahead of the looming monsoon rains.
The view of the island was, particularly of the highlands, comparable with the landscapes that one knows from films like Platoon and Forrest Gump. Everything is green, tea plantations and more palm trees than I have ever seen in 1 1/2 hours (and no apple trees – no apple trees, just pineapples!)
Shortly before landing, the pilot radioed that he needed more time to get ground clearance, since he had a wheelchair on board. To us this seemed a little exaggerated, because there was certainly not any more traffic than at the airport Kassel-Calden at rush-hour, (one plane the day). But everything must have its order
Back on the ground we already saw two men, who pushed my wheelchair from the hangar. One of them examined my sliding board from all sides in sheer fascination. I suspect he started that evening to work the jigsaw ; -) He must have been quite disappointed when it wasn’t used again for the transfer back from the helicopter…
Instead, the classical safety grip/throwing technique came to use, so that after the roundtrip the departure happened by a wheelchair spot landing. The Pilot was obviously impressed, because he said: “I know my game”.
On the way back the same welcome committee was awaiting us including umbrella holder, security guards and golf cart. The weather god was also gracious and only changed his mind after I was safe in my wheelchair again. Then the sky opened and the monsoon season greeted us. My personal umbrella holder kept walking next to me, unmoved by the fact that she got drenched, but she probably was used to this kind of downpour – her only comment was “It’s just rain”.
I would have liked to show you more evidence, but since we are talking about a military airport and members of the military, we held back a little on the photo shooting. A checkup of the accessibility of the local military jail was not part of the itinerary…
To read the complede “Sri Lanka- serial” , click here.
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Wheelchair expedition Sri Lanka Part IV
Saturday, May 30th, 2015Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Wheelchair expedition Sri Lanka Part III
Friday, May 29th, 2015Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Wheelchair expedition Sri Lanka Part I
Wednesday, May 27th, 2015For as long as I have been confined to a wheelchair I’ve been on air travel for vacation for more than 10 times, but to rather close destinations (Mediterranean or Canary Islands, see earlier articles).
Up to now I didn’t dare to go on a long-haul flight. My concerns were not even about being able to get to the lavatories throughout the entire flight (there are other solutions), but rather the question as to whether my bum and back will hold up.
However, friends of ours immigrated to Sri Lanka about 5 years ago. Sri Lanka? Tropical climate, hot, high humidity – a climatic challenge for someone who can’t sweat anymore. How accessible actually is the infrastructure? Do they know the word barrier-free at all? We were there about 15 years ago (when I was still a pedestrian), therefore my doubts.
Well, common friends have convinced us, to venture out on that trip together. Now began the search for a suitable hotel. My preferred travel agent Runa-Reisen who specializes in travel in a wheelchair, does not offer Sri Lanka in his program (why not?). However, they asked for a travel report after my trip
So off to the travel agency, to one of the “big” ones (the one with the three letters)! Of course, the travel agent had no experience with travel in a wheelchair, but he really did his best. They, too wanted a travel report after the trip.
Fortunately, we have local friends as mentioned before. The Blue Water Hotel Wadduwa, seemed reasonably suitable and is only a half hour drive from their house.
Therefore, I provided my friend with a checklist created by me for wheelchair accessible accommodations – bed, space in the bathroom, tub or shower, steps, etc. – and instructed him to look at the rooms and to take photos.
PDF download of the checklist: German version , English version
It turned out that the standard rooms would have been okay space wise, the bathrooms however unsuitable for me. They had tubs instead of showers and too little space for a wheelchair anyway. Nevertheless, there were two Club Suites with fully handicapped accessible bathrooms incl. floor-level showers! This was worth the extra cost; and since we travelled off-season, availability was not a problem.
The Shower-wheelchair “Artosy” fits into a suitcase and is my own.
The floor-leveled shower only caused medium-sized floods lol …
If the beds are pushed together, even a balcony visit is possible
To be continued..
To read the complede “Sri Lanka- serial”, click here.
Translator BW
Sport News IV
Monday, April 27th, 2015I’ve always been passionate about sport, in particular the Olympics of course, even though I’ve never been there at a live event. Summer or winter Olympics, makes no difference to me. In my previous life I was more of a winter sports enthusiast. For evidence click here.
When I was still in the hospital after my accident in 2008 the Paralympics Games in Beijing were shown on big screen TV during my physiotherapy.
I was particularly impressed with the incredibly fast racing wheelchairs, because at that time I was just able to move about 50 yards in less than six minutes in the hospital hallways without my oxygen tent, or without qualified pushes
Last week I met with the Tunisian racing wheelchair guy Ahmed Aouadi, who participated in the Olympics in 2008 in Beijing and in 2012 in London. He currently trains as a “lone warrior” for Rio de Janeiro 2016 at a sports club close to my home.
Racing wheeler Ahmed Aouadi
Ahmed Aouadi with a racing wheelchair vs.
Rollinator (Wheelynator) with a e-handbike
Even with my motorized hand bike under full engine assistance I didn’t stand a chance against Ahmed. If you look closely, you can see that at about 20 km/h (12.5 mph) every now and then he’s waiting for me.
His INVACARE -Racing wheelchair weighs a mere 6 kilograms (13.4 lbs), which equals the weight of one of the two batteries on my bike. Nevertheless, that is no excuse!
My highest respect for such athletic performance!
I’m not giving up that easily! I might be slow in a wheelchair, but I know how to tune engines
Happy Easter
Sunday, April 5th, 2015Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LXII
Monday, March 30th, 2015Sorry, this entry is only available in German.
 Barrierefreier Kinderspielplatz in Malta.
Ein tolles Beispiel fĂĽr Inklusion, der Spielplatz wurde 2014 gebaut. Dort hatte ich am Tag zuvor auch ein Kind im Rolli gesehen.
Das mit dem Rolli befahrbare Kletter-SpielgerĂĽst fand ich super.
Die Rollifahrer-Schaukel
war der Knaller, die ich als bekennendes Spielkind natĂĽrlich gleich ausprobieren musste.
Man fährt über die Klappe auf die Schaukel, diese kommt hydraulisch hoch, dann legt den Sicherheitsbügel um, und dann kann es losgehen / fahren.
Die Schaukel ist klasse und hat einen riesen SpaĂź gemacht, man sollte es aber nicht ĂĽbertreiben….
Bei meinem 360° Überschlag waren leider gerade die Akkus der Kamera leer
Chock Part XIV
Monday, March 9th, 2015Frankfurter StraĂźenverkehrsamt (Frankfurt Department of Transportation, FDT)
” finally lowers new “lowered pavement”… !!!
Everybody who is somewhat familiar with Frankfurt am Main knows that the new tram line 17 that was built in the district of Sachsenhausen is running since January.
During the construction months the big intersection Stresemannallee-Kennedyallee, to which I live close by, became an “adventure playground” for people like me.
From the beginning barrier-free construction was planned, of which in the next few years I should benefit greatly. The city of Frankfurt and the Dept. for Public Transportation is currently investing millions for the accessibility, what is absolutely commendable.
However, back in November I was kind of speechless, when I tried to cross the street with the Rolli and couldn’t make it up the “supposedly” lowered curb of one of those main traffic islands.
On the left side the curb was at least 10 cm high and inclined to about 5 cm, so that the Rolli was on three wheels only and I almost unintentionally had to leave my vehicle.
So I went by the running traffic on the bicycle lane next to the island, which was more like a daring challenge for a wheeler…
On the other side of the same island a “specialist” ever so skillfully sawed off a piece of the curb, which made me fear the sharp edge could cause a flat tire.
I approached the construction workers several times and the engineer in charge called me at home to discuss my complaint. He promised to look into the matter, but nothing happened for weeks.
Once in a while I inquired with the Frankfurt StraĂźenverkehrsamt (FDT), but as I now know they were not directly responsible for the traffic island.
By the end of February, the curb unfortunately had not automatically lowered itself; I had a dentist appointment and once again needed to use the intersection.
With some reservations I took the bike lane again, when a car went by so awfully close that I felt its side mirror on my jacket.
That was too much!
With a bit of effort I managed to get a competent clerk of the FDT on the phone and explained to her how dangerous the current status is.
Ten days later I was once again at my “favorite” intersection. Much to my surprise the traffic island had been completely revised. Thanks to Mrs. R. from this sit!
Look at the difference, I am delighted.
The piece of curb “lowered by saw” I will submit to the city as a sample, lol … !!!!
Because of somebody’s effort, the other side of the curb was also replaced.
In the last few years I have seen time and time again, that everybody can make a difference. If you see deficiencies speak with the people in charge. Often it is easier to change something than you might think.
Click here on “Eigude Shame” for similar stories.
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Addendum Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LXI
Tuesday, February 24th, 2015Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Technical Aids Tips and Tricks LXI
Tuesday, January 20th, 2015Voodoo Magic … Aliens … help, my belly beeps … ???
Since yesterday my belly tries to communicate with me.
About every two hours I’m getting dubious messages from him that sound like a “Ping, … ahh … beep … !!!”.
For proof, I have turned on the dictation app on my smartphone and placed it on my belly, hear for yourself the 9 seconds MP3 …
What does he want? Cookies, beer, … or is it perhaps my drug pump screaming …
In 2008 a half year after my accident a drug pump was implanted in my abdominal cavity, that delivers the dope via a tube and a needle directly between the vertebra into the cerebrospinal fluid (see older blog).
Without this pump I wouldn’t be able to enjoy life anymore, but it also bears a certain risk.
There are medi pumps with battery or gas pressured. The gas pressured ones have a usability of allegedly 25 years.
Mine is a “built-in” battery-operated pump, the Medtronic Synchromed II type with a drug reservoir of 40 ml, small it is not …
It is implanted under the skin; similar to a breast enlargement I have a very visible belly enlargement.
The pump is programmable from the outside and needs to be completely replaced after 6-7 years, because by then the batteries are empty.
This is inconvenient, but new hardware every few years can’t hurt.
The alarm of the pump can be turned off with a programming device. Unfortunately, I don’t happen to have one sitting on my shelf.
Translator BW
Voodoo Magic … Aliens … help, my belly beeps … ???
Since yesterday my belly tries to communicate with me.
About every two hours I’m getting dubious messages from him that sound like a “Ping, … ahh … beep … !!!”.
For proof, I have turned on the dictation app on my smartphone and placed it on my belly, hear for yourself the 9 seconds MP3 …
What does he want? Cookies, beer, … or is it perhaps my drug pump screaming …
In 2008 a half year after my accident a drug pump was implanted in my abdominal cavity, that delivers the dope via a tube and a needle directly between the vertebra into the cerebrospinal fluid (see older blog).
Without this pump I wouldn’t be able to enjoy life anymore, but it also bears a certain risk.
There are medi pumps with battery or gas pressured. The gas pressured ones have a usability of allegedly 25 years.
Mine is a “built-in” battery-operated pump, the Medtronic Synchromed II type with a drug reservoir of 40 ml, small it is not …
It is implanted under the skin; similar to a breast enlargement I have a very visible belly enlargement.
The pump is programmable from the outside and needs to be completely replaced after 6-7 years, because by then the batteries are empty.
This is inconvenient, but new hardware every few years can’t hurt.
The alarm of the pump can be turned off with a programming device. Unfortunately, I don’t happen to have one sitting on my shelf.
Translator BW