Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Archive for the ‘Simply great’ Category
Speedblog Part III
Wednesday, April 16th, 2014Speedpost part III
Tuesday, April 1st, 2014Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Speedpost part II
Friday, March 21st, 2014Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Sport News VII
Thursday, September 26th, 2013Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Pontoon Bridge over the Mainriver
Tuesday, September 10th, 2013Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Stochastic-Resonance-Therapy
Friday, September 6th, 2013
Frontpage 
Since one year, I am going to the Frankfurt University twice a week, and I don’t mean the University medical center this time, which you may think in my age…
It’s quite impressive when I announce sitting in my wheelchair that I don’t have time because I have to go the sports university 
… no, I am not training explicitly for the next Paralympics…
I am there in a project group for
Stochastic Resonance Therapy (STR-Therapy)
This therapy, co-developed by the institute of sports sciences in Frankfurt/Main, transmits low-frequency (6-12 Hz), randomized vibrations by two plates independent of each other. *
The effect is quite complex.
In simple words, the feet are fixed onto 2 aluminium plates, or as pedestrian you stand on the plates.
These plates move/rattle heavily and simulate walking to the body. The nerves are stimulated and suppose walking to the brain.
The success especially for people with walking disabilities is remarkable.
More information on Stochastic Resonance Therapy and experience reports and equipment (in German): click here and click here.
Except for the STR equipment there is normal workout equipment as well. A sports therapist is always available for us.
The training with other handicapped people is fun, and of course there is an intense exchange of experiences.
I wouldn’t have thought that I ever would visit a gym voluntarily. There are still places available in the project.
In the video you can see Jens Maspfuhl, reigning 6-times German champion in Wheelchair Golf. He is chairman of the private incorporated society “German accident and disaster relief”
DUK-Deutsche Unfall und Katastrophenhilfe e.V.
This society is sponsor of the project and is funding it by donations and sustaining memberships.
The society also supports successfully a vocational school for disabled people of the “Father Ray Foundation” in Thailand, many of them wheelchair users.
Because of the flooding the price for rice has increased dramatically, and therefore the Foundation needs support to feed more than 800 people per day.
Additionally, the fundless highly quadriplegic young Thai woman Nuch is supported.
There are still some donation receipts and sustaining memberships left. Donate quickly before everything is gone… 
Every donation is well received in the projects, I am sustaining member myself and have donated several times!!!
Somewhere I can be seen with Jens on one of the cross-fading pictures on the DUK homepage, 16 pictures after the German minister of finance Schäuble
* Source C.Ebert
For questions as usual: rollinator@eigude.de
Translator BL
Sport News VI, Chair Skating
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013Frontpage
I am asked frequently how it is to be “bonded” to the wheelchair…???
Usually I look down at me, smile and say, I don’t see any bonds.
The other day I was with my wheeler mate David in the new skate park next to the European Central Bank in Frankfurt when we heard that question again.
We were both grinning because just in this moment he really “bonded“ himself to his wheelchair to turn a round…
Frankfurt East meets Frankfurt West
David “Dat Lebbe” Lebuser,
the future German ChairSkating legend
For all who missed the report “To the limit in a chair ” on German television
Here the direct link to the media library.
He is one of the pioneers in our country who are shredding with their chair through the half pipe and do some tricks in the skater park.
When he rolls to the edge of the halfpipe he has enough space most of the times because the skaters and bikers stand still and watch extremely interested if the guy with the chair really wants to get down there.
“ChairSkating”
is already popular in the USA for some time, and even kids have fun with it.
Just have a look into Youtube under WCMX, there are a lot of cool videos.
Some weeks ago, the German Wheelchair Sport Association has organized a workshop for “Chairskating” with young people and of course David.
You should be quite fit to try out this sport.
When you pursue this sport reasonably with appropriate protection equipment and special wheelchair, the risk for injuries is manageable.
A hand cycle is fairly inappropriate for the half pipe
I have decided to engage in the future instead of Chair skating into Extreme Wheelchair Origami.
Translator BL
Sport News V, Wheelchairgolf
Sunday, June 9th, 2013Frontpage
Trial lesson in Tenerife
I had already reported a year ago about an electric wheelchair with which you can play golf, (see older blogpost).
In Tenerife, you can rent such a golf wheelchair in the Hotel Mar y Sol in Los Cristianos, and also play a round with a coach on the golf course.
As I once played field hockey in my previous live and I would have liked to hit a ball again, my curiosity was even bigger.
This year I even had the possibility to meet the challenge of playing golf with my friend Christian Nachtwey, a former European champion and team captain of the German National Team in wheelchair golf.
Christian is not only an excellent golf player but also has a company which produces these golf wheelchairs. www.powerbasetec.de
In my former life I have driven many fork lifts, lifting platforms and similar vehicles with joystick, but such a delicate steering mechanism as it is in the golf wheelchair was new to me. Just driving around is really fun!
However, I was still in doubt how I should hold the golf club with my limited finger function and then even be able to hit the ball.
You have to take such “trifles” as a game, up to now we usually could think of a solution.
You are buckled up with knees and chest, similar to my Standing chair at home, and then you rise to the sky.
I have to admit, we were “just” on the Driving Range.
After we fixed the golf club with velcro straps and duct tape to my hand, the test series “Play Golf 1.0″ instead of “Drive Golf 12.1 years” could begin.
To my surprise you hardly need power, so that the ball even moves with me.
It seems to me that you can learn to play golf quicker as a “wheeler” than as a “footer” because you don’t twist the upper body during the shot due to the belts.
It is a lot of fun, I can recommend it to everybody to give it a try.
Wheelchair golf is also possible on Mallorca, this is there offered by “FUNDACIĂ“N HANDISPORT Mallorca”.
With them I was already sailing last year. It was a perfect day then, (see older blogpost).
A roll of duct tape is necessary per hole…
After I unpacked my “secret weapon”, the golf-ball from Eintracht Frankfurt which I brought along, Christian virtually didn’t have a chance any more
Translator BL
Addendum Simply Great Part VI
Tuesday, June 4th, 2013Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Simply Great Part VI
Saturday, May 25th, 2013Frontpage
One ramp more in Frankfurt!
As a Christmas present from my parents, I had received tickets for a Sunday brunch on the river Main with one of the pleasure boats of the Primusline in Frankfurt.
I hardly need to mention that my parents clarify in advance if I can access the boat in my wheelchair or not.
A couple of weeks ago the time had come, and I stood in my wheelchair next to the old Main bridge in front of a recently renovated, red sandstone stairway, certainly placed under preservation order.
This reminded with its steep “stroller rails” a bit of a ski jump which would involuntarily end up in a backflip of Aaron Fotheringham style. Look at the videos, incredible, a backflip sitting in a wheelchair…!!!
So far the boat went according to the captain around 20 m upfront on the landing place after the passengers had gone on board. There the wheelchair and rollator users could get quite smoothly over the gangway and with only two stairs on the pleasure boat. This is currently not possible due to a construction site. The accessibility of the boat with a heavy electric wheelchair should be clarified upfront.
So now I was standing with my ticket at the top of the stairway and enjoyed the view on the river while the other guests were boarding!!!
The crew was not allowed to carry me down the stairway due to insurance reasons. After a conversation with the owner, why they sold tickets to wheelchair users when an access to the boat was not possible I suddenly got little wings, and I was on deck.
The food was nice, and the 3-hour-trip with the Primusline with my family was enjoyable.
Three weeks later I was again on my way at the waterside of the river Main, and I just thought “STRIKE”…
Almost unbelievable, within around 14 days a ramp had been built!!!!
This ramp is indeed steeper than the favoured 6%, but this wouldn’t have been possible from a constructional point, otherwise with a flatter angle the feet would have gotten wet. Therefore the use at your own risk is advised several times.
Now even the tables of the café on the landing place are accessible.
The welded ramp is with non-slip grating and two stable hand rails built very well according to my understanding.
The locksmith has probably gone through an additional nightshift.
I would like to personally thank the responsible people how fast they reacted and arranged the building of the ramp… Chapeau!!!
I can only point out again and again, if you notice a deficit, contact the responsible people constructively. Surprisingly you get feedback quite often, and with regard to the following measures: Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose… But this should not discourage you, if sometimes nothing happens – therefore maybe next time!
Look at the following examples:
Disabled parking place in underground parking lot
Improvement labelling disabled parking place
Assistance bulky luggage Frankfurt airport
Passing prohibited for wheelchair users
Polling place ramp – failed… well, it’s the thought that counts…
Translator BL
One ramp more in Frankfurt!
As a Christmas present from my parents, I had received tickets for a Sunday brunch on the river Main with one of the pleasure boats of the Primusline in Frankfurt.
I hardly need to mention that my parents clarify in advance if I can access the boat in my wheelchair or not.
A couple of weeks ago the time had come, and I stood in my wheelchair next to the old Main bridge in front of a recently renovated, red sandstone stairway, certainly placed under preservation order.
This reminded with its steep “stroller rails” a bit of a ski jump which would involuntarily end up in a backflip of Aaron Fotheringham style. Look at the videos, incredible, a backflip sitting in a wheelchair…!!!
So far the boat went according to the captain around 20 m upfront on the landing place after the passengers had gone on board. There the wheelchair and rollator users could get quite smoothly over the gangway and with only two stairs on the pleasure boat. This is currently not possible due to a construction site. The accessibility of the boat with a heavy electric wheelchair should be clarified upfront.
So now I was standing with my ticket at the top of the stairway and enjoyed the view on the river while the other guests were boarding!!!
The crew was not allowed to carry me down the stairway due to insurance reasons. After a conversation with the owner, why they sold tickets to wheelchair users when an access to the boat was not possible I suddenly got little wings, and I was on deck.
The food was nice, and the 3-hour-trip with the Primusline with my family was enjoyable.
Three weeks later I was again on my way at the waterside of the river Main, and I just thought “STRIKE”…
Almost unbelievable, within around 14 days a ramp had been built!!!!
This ramp is indeed steeper than the favoured 6%, but this wouldn’t have been possible from a constructional point, otherwise with a flatter angle the feet would have gotten wet. Therefore the use at your own risk is advised several times.
Now even the tables of the café on the landing place are accessible.
The welded ramp is with non-slip grating and two stable hand rails built very well according to my understanding.
The locksmith has probably gone through an additional nightshift.
I would like to personally thank the responsible people how fast they reacted and arranged the building of the ramp… Chapeau!!!
I can only point out again and again, if you notice a deficit, contact the responsible people constructively. Surprisingly you get feedback quite often, and with regard to the following measures: Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose… But this should not discourage you, if sometimes nothing happens – therefore maybe next time!
Look at the following examples:
Disabled parking place in underground parking lot
Improvement labelling disabled parking place
Assistance bulky luggage Frankfurt airport
Passing prohibited for wheelchair users
Polling place ramp – failed… well, it’s the thought that counts…
Translator BL
Addendum Worth Reading Crazy Flash XVIII
Saturday, January 12th, 2013Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Night of the Proms 2012
Sunday, December 23rd, 2012Frontpage
Yesterday I had again a great evening in the time-honoured concert hall “Festhalle” in Frankfurt (year of construction 1907) at the
Night of the Proms 2012
This time except traditionally with John Miles, the concert orchestra Il Novecentro” and others, as Special Guests
Anastacia,
Mick Hucknall (Simply Red)
also the “Echo” winners 2012 (German music award), Jupiter Jones.
After the concert at the wheelchair exit he was suddenly standing next to me,
Nicolas MĂĽller, the singer of Jupiter Jones!!!
If you press the remote control of the park heating from your car in the concert hall during the encore you will always have a warm car afterwards. This is easily 100 meter linear distance.
Such an old sandstone building is really good, but not very useful in continuous rain like yesterday either.
Translator BL
Technical Aids Tips and Tricks IXL
Thursday, November 15th, 2012Frontpage
Technical Aid of the year!
FreeWheel
Uneven paths, curbs, cobble stone, sand, gravel, grass and of course snow are not really friends of a wheeler.
With a little oomph you reach an artistic score of 5.8 for your flight out of the wheelchair. This can end up annoying, see older blogpost Broken Leg.
The solution is rather simple, you “just” need a longer wheelchair. But if I had a longer wheelchair I wouldn’t get it into the wheelchair loading system of my car.
My Minitrac and handcycle are great, but I always need a volunteer to get one of it out of the cellar.
A super alternative is a single wheel in the size of half a children’s bicycle which you clamp to the front of your wheelchair, and when the front wheels are lifted it gets perfect. The wheelchair then looks a bit like a jogging stroller. There are various producers of such a system.
On the Rehacare fair in DĂĽsseldorf I have met Patrick Dougherty, the American inventor of the
www.goFreeWheel.com
I knew this attached wheel from many videos from the internet, but it is not easily available in Germany. It is so small that you can store it at the back of a rigid frame wheelchair. I take it on my knees when I descend with my platform lifter because I have a foldable wheelchair. Just input “FreeWheel” in Youtube and see for yourself what is suddenly accessible, e.g.:
I could buy a new “fair wheel” from him which was still lying in the hotel. On the last day of the fair he deposited it at the booth of Runa Reisen, a travel agency for handicapped. I know their staff very well because I always book my holidays there. They have sent the FreeWheel to my home then. Thanks again from this side.
With the FreeWheel it is even possible, ideally with additional Mountainbike tyres, to ride safely in the snow. Now the next winter can start, or maybe even a little bit of desert…
The FreeWheel is clamped tetra-easily to the footrest of a rigid-framed wheelchair. (But I have a foldable wheelchair…???)
If you ride forwards afterwards the front tyres of the wheelchair are lifted, and the fun can begin.
Because of the big tyres even “shocks” due to rough grounds are almost not noticed any more.
A rack with maximum load of 12 kg is available as well.
It has been upgraded with missing spoke reflectors incl. blinking valve caps (see picture above).
Of course Patrick wanted to know in detail how I get the FreeWheel clamped to my actually non-suitable foldable wheelchair by magic with Michael’s help.
New 2014 FreeWheel for folder-wheelchairs
For enquiries contact as usual: rollinator@eigude.de
Translator BL
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Addendum Technical Aids Tips and Tricks XLVIII
Thursday, November 8th, 2012Frontpage
The wheelchair Segway is not only available from
Gennymobility
Also the German company
www.mobilitycube.de
is constructing one of those models. I think they are affordable, but apart from that I could not report more than what you can see on the website.
A wheeler mate has found out some things, I consider his investigations most interesting. However I can’t guarantee for the correctness of the information.
I will call him Informant Segway:
The scooter by Genny shown in the film clip costs laid-back 15950 Euro (net). I have got this information from the Italian headquarter.
A possible alternative is the MobilityCube reconstruction kit based on a Segway. Costs 3.800,00 €!
The customer either brings his own Segway, or we provide a Segway.
The aquisition of a Segway costs new 7.900,00 € and used from Segway 6.600,00 €.
We arrange the individual approval of the technical control association for costs of 385,00 €. Illumination according to road traffic regulations 50,00 €.
Optionally the customers can exchange the original tyres with tyres of the company Axperts. http://www.axperts.de
Usually an extra charge of ca. 420,00 € bis 450,00 € arises…
Thanks to informant Segway for the investigation!!!
Now we only have to convince Santa Claus as sponsor, and the fun can begin.
Translator BL
Technical Aids Tips and Tricks XLVIII
Thursday, October 11th, 2012Frontpage
Rehacare 2012 Part I
The Rehacare fair which takes place once a year in DĂĽsseldorf is a must for each wheeler.
There you can see more or less everything you can imagine relating to technical aids and medical devices.
Starting with wheelchair manufacturers, hand cycles, ski, bath equipment, car customizing, help for everyday life, travel agencies for handicapped, etc, etc, etc,…
Unfortunately I couldn’t go to the fair last year. As is known I had left my wheelchair involuntarily and broken my right leg (see older blogpost).
Currently the absolute highlight in the wheelchair area is the Genny.
The Genny
Basically it is nothing different than a “Segway” in wheelchair variant.
A Segway is this 2-wheel-vehicle on which you can drive around standing as pedestrian, and which meanwhile even the police is using.
The wheelchair variant is distributed only since August 2012 from the Suisse company Gennymobility in Germany.
Due to the big tyres uneven grounds or holes are no problem anymore.
This is mobility!!!
Watch the video how you can speed with the Genny along the beach as a wheeler, this vehicle is awesome…
I was hoping that I would be able to test this special wheelchair. This was one of the main reasons for me visiting the fair this year. I was very lucky that I only had to wait for around 15 minutes.
After I was eventually sitting on the vehicle the kind lady on the picture below was telling me that we quadriplegics are not allowed to drive with the Genny due to missing stability of the upper part of the body, we might fall down!
Uh,… I especially brought my belt from home.
Then she said it was not allowed to buckle up so that one doesn’t get hurt when the Genny falls over.
No,… I wanted to get started with it,… this is not easy to understand, these Swiss people are crazy…!!!
Well, after short discussion in Italian without me at the booth they were gracious, and I was allowed to get cruising under supervision, like everyone else.
The handling is very easy, by bending forward you start, by leaning backwards the lady Genny stops or drives backwards.
The handle bar is for steering, what else. With a bit of training it is possible without problems to turn on the spot.
The driving experience reminded me a lot of skiing, what made me cry a little bit as formerly obsessed skier, amazing…
According to my opinion the wheelchair Segway, in which variant ever, will make its way as variant of an electric wheelchair due to its easy, comfortable and speedy driving manner and in spite of its size, weight and high purchase price.
The “Genny” is still a vehicle for physically fit wheelers. We will have to wait a bit longer until it will get a technical aid for us “tired warriors”, but it’s a beginning!
If they wouldn’t have let me start, I would have gone on “sit-down strike” on the vehicle
Translator BL
