Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Signs Part VI
August 26th, 2013Eigude Shame XXV
August 2nd, 2013Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Ingenious: A cooling vest and Cap which only needs water!
July 27th, 2013
Frontpage 
Due to the rather tropical outside temperatures I would like to call your attention like every year to two older blogposts!
One is about a
Cooling Vest
(click here)
and the other one about a
Cooling Cap
(click here)
Since the summer 2013 has found us as well I have the prototype of a cooling shirt, also from the company E-cooline in permanent test mode, and I am happy.
Read the comments to the blogposts, there are some tips of other readers!!!
Translator BL
Final Report European Wheelchair-Basketball Championship 2013 in Frankfurt
July 9th, 2013Frontpage
Final Report European Wheelchair Basketball Championship 2013 in Frankfurt
End of the European Championship…!!!
The German women showed an impressive performance throughout the whole tournament in their matches.
Except for the heart-stopping final which they unfortunately lost with only one basket difference against Holland they have won all their matches.
They thrilled me the whole week. 2nd place, chapeau…!!!
Look closely, in Frankfurt they don’t only get a cup, but also a ”Bembel”.
A “Bembel“ is the traditional blue-and-grey stone ware jug, depository of the Hessian national drink apple cider. It is used to pour the drink into the legendary 0,3 l glass with rhomb design.
Source: Me 
Back to the European Championship…
Our men played a tournament with quite some ups and downs, but secured with a sweeping match against Holland place 6 and the qualification for the next World Championship.
The men’s final was Great Britain vs. Turkey, an exciting match at eye level.
Great Britain won the match by one point.
They were singing “God save the Queen” so ghastly that they are probably hit with a lawsuit for criminal assault now.
They couldn’t spoil the mood of David the Chair skater & me.
I thought it was a bit of a shame that the two blocks of Turkish fans, who made a great atmosphere during the match by loudly cheering for their team, almost completely left the hall after the lost match and didn’t stay for the cup presentation of their team.
Now an unforgettable week is over where I haven’t only seen lots of sport, but also collected lots of material for new blogposts and built new contacts.
During the European Championship my desk has changed its colour without my interference from black to white. I think I have to take care about the backlog of administration now… grrr… Outside sun and 26°C ;-( and I am sitting here…
Translator BL
European Wheelchair-Basketball Championship 2013 in Frankfurt
July 2nd, 2013Frontpage
The ball is flying since Friday!!!
” Frankfurt is spinning the wheel”
European Wheelchair Basketball Championship 2013 of women and man
From June 28th until July 7th in the ice sports hall in Frankfurt
With my seasonal ticket I am there each day since Friday.
You shouldn’t miss such an event…!!!
For more information: www.eurobasketball-2013.net
It is unbelievable for me how it is possible to move a wheelchair so fast and controlled and then still hit the basket.
Wheelchair basketball is a most attractive sport which you should have seen live once.
Our “German Girls” are reigning Paralympic champions.
Israel didn’t have a chance, our girls won 81:32 
I met again Paralympic athlete Maria KĂĽhn whom I met on May 1st (see older blogpost).
The complete women’s team plus coach and physiotherapists have signed on my “Lion shirt” which I got for my appearance as “Cheering Extra” for the image film “Frankfurt is spinning the wheel” (see older blogpost).
Our German man are still flagging a bit, match against Switzerland at 12:15 h… they’re gonna make it…!!!
Translator BL
Handicap Parking Part III
June 27th, 2013Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Sport News VI, Chair Skating
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
Crazy Flash XX
June 14th, 2013Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Sport News V, Wheelchairgolf
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
European Wheelchair-Basketball Championship 2013 in Frankfurt
June 7th, 2013Frontpage
“Frankfurt is spinning the wheel”
European Wheelchair Basketball Championship 2013 of women and man
From June 28th until July 7th in the ice sports hall in Frankfurt
For more information: www.eurobasketball-2013.net
In my opinion one shouldn’t miss such an event.
It is unbelievable for me how it is possible to move a wheelchair so fast and controlled and then still hit the basket.
Wheelchair basketball is a most attractive sport which you should have seen live once. I have already purchased a seasonal ticket for all games.
On the picture you can see Sebastian Wolk, currently 196 international matches for Germany…!!!
Addendum Simply Great Part VI
June 4th, 2013Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
Rollator Part II
May 26th, 2013Frontpage
On Friday I was at the discount supermarket with the big L and looked at the offers for the coming week.
You should have taken a picture of my face, I am still a bit speechless!!!
As far as I remember we have in Germany doctors, health insurances and medical supply stores who take care about the patients supply of medical devices, and not the supermarkets…
Why does a discount supermarket suddenly sell rollators???
Did I miss something???
I am missing a medical device number in the flyer.
Who will adjust the rollator to the user, and what about maintenance, repair and liability???
Please post a comment…
Do I have to buy my next wheelchair at IKEA and screw it together myself out of two Billy shelves?
Photo Source Lidl
Translator BL
Simply Great Part VI
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
Wheelchair Tuning Part XXXIV
May 13th, 2013Frontpage
I have already pointed out several times that you are hardly seen by the car drivers as wheelchair user in the dark, and that the upgrade with reflectors on the wheelchair can actually prolong one’s life (see older blogpost).
For the 18-year-old kids who think their highly tuned 65 hp small car would need apart from the blue-red blinking footwell area illumination an absolute highlight on the outside there are luminescent valve caps.
When the wheels are turning the battery-driven lamps in different colours are starting to glow or blink.
It’s quite impressive and immediately attracts the attention of the police… wasn’t there something about road traffic regulations…
For us wheelchair users these little lamps are great. You are turning the wheel a little bit, it is blink-blinking, and you are well noticed in traffic and also at street fairs by pedestrians.
You can buy them for just a few Euros in Ebay, partially even directly from Hongkong. So far all shipments from China have arrived undamaged at my home.
These lamps are working for months without changing the batteries.
I am using them on my beloved FreeWheel (see blogpost), a single spoke wheel which is clamped to the footrest of the wheelchair.
I have given a set of these lights to my wheeler friend, and he screwed them directly onto his wheelchair.
He was really stopped by the police when he was just coming out of the pharmacy, and he should have paid a ticket because of the illegal illumination of his wheelchair.
For each running wheel 5 Euro fine because of blue instead of orange illumination, and because the valve caps didn’t have an off-switch another 2 x 5 Euros on top.
What a nonsense… these are the regulations for a bicycle…
20 Euro fine because the police can’t distinguish a wheelchair from a bicycle…!!!
My friend asked the officers to send him the ticket with the corresponding paragraphs home and announced the probable publication of the incident on the EIGUDE internet blog.
Unfortunately we are still waiting for the ticket to be sent since a couple of months now
Translator BL
Internet-Find
May 10th, 2013Frontpage
My friend and author Roberto Sastre (see older blogpost), has discoverd in the Facebook group from New Zealand:
“You’ve got my Car Park, want my Disability too?”
a post about a trend-setting disabled parking place sign with the text of the director of a towing company who got tired of all the silly excuses of the disabled parking place occupiers…
Brilliant… please read below what the group admin and the director of the towing company have to tell
We just received an email from the Director of New Zealand Towing Ltd based in Royal Oak. He has come up with this sign because he was tired of all the silly excuses so listed the 3 most common ones.
He said he was a huge supporter of our page & has even gone out & purchased digital cameras each for all of his Tow Trucks so that they can take photos of cars parked illegally in Mobility Parking Spaces & send them to our page!
He then told us the 6 rules he goes by before towing a person parked in a Mobility Parking Space, they are as follows…..
“1. No pass its towed – charged full price
2. Forgot to display and are abusive – charged full price.
3. Forgot to display and are polite – charged half price (Personal agreement with CCS Royal Oak staff who are just great people)
4. Have good reason why it not displayed – returned FREE OF CHARGE (Again a Personal agreement with CCS Royal oak staff)
Example: Hands crippled with arthritis and 87 year old lady could not open her purse because she forgot to renew her medication which is what she was doing when we towed it away – I paid for taxi to our yard gave her a cup of tea opened her medication bottle so she could be pain free and once she was ok she left at no cost one happy lady. (Yes Towies have hearts….well I do)
5. Expired pass by more than 3 months its towed even if displayed and CCS called to check if new pass issued if they have valid pass but displayed wrong one its a free return but expired pass cut up. If not renewed and just parking on expired pass – charged full price and pass turned in to confetti (I would love to charge double on these rat bags who only had a temp pass but still use 1-5 year old expired pass)
last rule but its more common sense “If vehicle has wheel chair lift access we don’t touch it even if no pass displayed”
Source: Facebook-Group “You’ve got my Car Park, want my Disability too?”
