Wheelchairs on Playa

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:22 pm

Okay, as things stand now, I'm going to the playa next year, as a double above-the-knee amputee. So, whether or not I have legs, I will bring a wheelchair, almost certainly manual.

Any experiences?

How do you handle transfers? What kind of tent do you use? How do you make sure your camp is wheelchair friendly? What do you do when you wake in the middle of the night and have to pee?

I lost my legs in April, so I'm still on the steep end of the curve on this in general. I don't want to miss something simple on playa because this is so new.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:30 pm

Basic BM Wheelchair Page

Words from the incredible Mr. Fixit.

More of same

some eplaya questions

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:39 pm

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Cryptofishist,, as you find these new things out.. burner are designers and builders.. one or more can design build and deliver anything you need.. Or "want"..

grandpa unjon

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:51 pm

I know that, Unjon. And I'm lucky enough to be assoicated with some very creative and able people, on playa.

asp3 · Post by **asp3** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:34 am

You might also want to try to contact some of the folks from the Hotwheels camp. Although I didn't visit them myself they seemed to cater to folks who needed assisted transportation on the playa.

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:39 am

Dan in DPW is one of my favorite people. He rides a chair, and modified a DPW "art" car to drive around. Previously, he drove a golf car with a stick for the accellerator. I'll totally introduce you to him next year, he's a very sweet man. He's out there before, during and after the event and is a damn hard worker. And for the midnight piddle sessions, The Pee Funnel is the bomb. As far as accessability, if there's something in your way, we'll just get it out of your way. We have resources out the ass, sweetie.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:23 pm

The art car I am building for 2008 will have a lift on the back and will be designed to accomodate several chairs on board. Lets be in touch before the burn.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:05 pm

Bump. Oh, and I can get a shade canopy.

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:48 pm

Cryptofishist-Hi I really enjoy all your posts...and hope I get to meet you out on the Playa...Maggie (a girl camped near me this year) used a manual wheel chair all week....seemed to get around just fine....we all went dancing...

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:31 am

Do not worry dear Fishy. You know we will help take care of anything and everything you will need out there.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:34 pm

That's right, toots - no self reliance for you!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:41 pm

saw a PT the other day.. when they opened the back hatch wow.. the whole bottom platform dropped to form a ramp.. the ramp went up to the drivers seat area.. it had hand controls to drive it..

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:12 pm

Well, I do have a ride to the playa (I work quick!) But yeah, they have a lot of neat stuff. Still the used conversions with lifts that I see on Craigslist are in the range of $25,000.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:41 pm

Anybody have any insight into how grafted skin does on playa? Specifically under sun and with the dust.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:48 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:Anybody have any insight into how grafted skin does on playa? Specifically under sun and with the dust.

I've seen some grafts.. from burns.. they seem to even out as time goes on. I would guess that if the area is lookin like its "gettin along well" with the rest you should be cool. It will have been over a year since the graft right? I'll try to peek around online for something concerning grafts for ya.

Whats the scoop with prosthesis? Is there any plan to try that out down the road? I was readin somethin about suspension stuff being used and allowing for mobility with less required force/energy, also something about a fella that was climbing mountains. If I find the stuff again I'll PM ya.

If ya find someone local that winds up helping to make ya something like a chair, lift, whatever. Feel free to drop me a line with any design, manufacturing, or assembly concerns. Better yet make a thread.. between the lot of us brainstorming we can get something cheaper and better than whats out there retail.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:30 pm

A fellow I used to work with in the machine shop had his entire right arm badly burned.. At the time I knew him, he'd healed completely and was left with a lot of scarring from grafts and the burns. I seem to remember him saying that he had to keep that area moisturized more than normal, but that was about it. Granted we weren't out in the sun.

On the playa Karine has to be mindful of her hands, but that's burn scars and no grafting. Maybe I can get her to chime in with her advice.

ETA: She said she just has to use sunblock on the area, but again, this is a burn and may have different needs.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:55 pm

Yes, the grafting was performed in May and June of this year. I am working on prosthetics, and I don't know what effect they will have on all this. I don't think I'd take a c-leg (for instance) on playa, for the basic reasons of what the playa does to electronics. So maybe this information wont end up being useful to me, but I basically think that information is only useless when you overwhelm yourself with it...

karine · Post by **karine** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:45 pm

Oh Fishy - I found the pee funnel to be EXCELLENT this year when I finally caved in and used the free ones they hand out on the playa. It's just a plastic cup and a hose... & it really worked GREAT. For a "deposit bucket" I used a 2 gallon water jug with a cap. Then it can be near your bed.

As far as my hands (burns, like LCN said), I only had a 4 or 5 3rd degree spots where they may have needed grafting. The dry air out there is harsh on them, though.

This year, ( but it is a year after my accident) I just used sunblock to keep them moist. I recommend "Eucerin" for a back-up (night)cream because it's thick & absorbs slowly.
My hands will never "look the same" again and they need to stay out of a lot of sun. Those light pink/white splotches don't burn... they kind of stain, if that makes sense. And too much sun on them can be like scratching a wound! (So I carried my leather gloves). They are still very sensitive. Just having the stuff in case you need it is a good idea. In your case, some kind of sock, perhaps?

I guess it depends on the condition of the grafting itself, at the time you hit the playa. If you are still getting grafting done this year, and right before the playa or not. EITHER WAY, BE NOT AFRAID!

My first year (a month after the burns) we wrapped them constantly in new cotton gloves and lotions. It was an AWFUL lot of supplies! I went through 5 to 7 pair of cotton gloves each day, for each day I was there... used 3 bottles of Eucerin (the BIG bottles) and had to wear compression (elastic gloves) OVER the more disposable/washable cotton gloves to help the healing.

IN THIS CASE stock up from your physical therapists/ doctors office & your pharmacy before you go. Tell them you will be in the worst of scenarios and get what you can from them for free. Then you will be familiar with the supplies & have them ~if you need them~. I had to order my gloves (in your case, some other variable or possible wrap) in bulk, and directly from a pharmaceutical company. I wouldn't plan on washing something and wearing it over and over.
Lotion + dust = HUGE mess.
Just bring a new "wrap" (or equivalent) for each changing... on the worst days, changing 5 - 7 times a day.

(And I am going to keep my fingers crossed that you only need some sunblock by then!)

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:26 am

Hello Fishy,

As you know my shop is close to your home. I always bring a large truck for my gear and equipment for El Diablo. If you have a space problem with chairs or ramps or anything, let me know and I will pick it up and make certain it gets to you on the Playa and then home again.

Jack

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:59 pm

*fishy sits with mouth agape at the generosity of Dustdevils further generosity*

Um. thank you.

Rat Bastard · Post by **Rat Bastard** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:29 pm

Skin grafts: Got one left. The other removed by a plastic doc. Mine are over 10 years old but the dryness will cause it to crack and bleed. Generally, a little spit does it for me now. When new, Eucerin cream is what I used.

Pottie: When I woke up after my wreck my legs were in straight braces and I had major muscle fatigue after being comatos for 8 days. Couldn't get up by myself. I can walk fine now but then in the hospital and now on the playa I found a bottle with a large mouth invaluable next to the bed. Not sure if this is applicable or not, but make sure Mr Happy's head doesn't make a seal with the mouth of the bottle. Otherwise you'll create pressure inside and you'll get sprayed.

Placards: Handicapped passes are available from the DMV for your un mutated vehicle.

Getting up, down, in, out: In '06 we made a friend that was a para. My knee still was messed up so I wouldn't take the risk but my friend was in good shape. He got down in front of the chair and offered a piggy-back carry ride into the RV. Worked just fine.

Hitching a ride: This same guy (I'm still drawing a blank on his name which is killing me) also was able to check out a golf cart from the DMV for some tooling around. We got him seated and then one of us bungied his chair to the back. We had a blast. If you see a Mutant Vehicle, by all means, flag them down and ask for a ride. Yes, you might need the help of another to board and figure out how to store your wheels but I for one would gladly give that help again.

I'm still bummed that I can't remember this guys name. He was really kind and cool. Socializing with him broke a lot of my misconceptions about chair bound people.

If you see a two story brick house roaming around, stop me. I'll give you a ride.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:41 pm

Wheelchairs on the Playa,, Just a few words "for burners"

Wild Wild West, the movie

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:44 pm

Bump!

Wheelchairs on Playa

Wheelchairs on Playa

Some links

Re: Some links

Art Car