Unexpected excitement...

[jeshyr]

Oh wow ... I was really really feeling bored and cabin-fever-ish today so I hopped in my power chair to go down the street for just a few minutes ... didn't really have the energy for it but I was all frustrated at being home so I figured a few minutes couldn't hurt.

On my way down there the steering seemed to be pulling a bit to the left but I thought it was probably the angle of the joystick and it's a new chair still so I'm not totally used to it. Independently from that I noticed that it wasn't going as fast as usual, although the batteries were charged fully, but I wasn't sure why and it wasn't a huge amount so I assumed my own perceptions were wrong.

Got down the street and lo, a flat tyre! Phoned the roadside assistance and they were pretty quick to arrive. The guy pumped up the tyre and then followed me home and we stopped 3 more times to top it up because it was leaking pretty fast. Made it home with his help though - thank you RACV - and I've ordered a pair of new tubes so I can replace this one and have another spare around.

I'm feeling really a bit shaky because it was somewhat scary to be suddenly without mobility, but also feeling quite proud of myself for coping! And very very very zonked now ... going to take a nap.... mini ...

Comments

[kitsune]

Ooh, I can see how that would be unsettling. I'm glad that the roadside assistance chap was so diligent in seeing you home. I hadn't realised they'd assist wheelchair users at all, I'll admit, and that's useful to know.

Hope the rest does you good, and that your new tubes get there quickly!

[jeshyr]

RACV have a wheelchair membership class, as well as cars, motorcycles and bicycles - very handy!

Tubes should arrive Friday with luck, so not too long. After that adventure I'll need some rest anyway :/

[kitsune]

There you go - I had no idea about the bicycle one either! Not that I'll be taking advantage of any of them any time soon...

That sounds entirely reasonable to me. *hug*

[acelightning]

*hugs*

i hope the tubes arrive quickly, and that it's not too awkward to replace them! (although i know how to change a flat on a car, and have not only done it, but taught it to a women's group, these days i'd call for roadside assistance myself.)

[jeshyr]

It's pretty easy actually, but if I phone the roadside assistance again they'll do it for me :)

[acelightning]

well, that's very handy!

[jeshyr]

Evidently their definition of "roadside" is fairly broad!

[acelightning]

i don't think the AAA (the US version) deals with anything but cars and small personal trucks - i'm not sure they even deal with motorcycles. but if your vehicle is in your driveway or garage, and the battery is dead, they'll come help you get it started anyway. so that's a precedent for considering your house part of the "roadside" ;-)

[jeshyr]

The RACV is great like that - cycles and wheelchairs (manual or powered) and those gopher scooter things elderly people often use too!!! I <3 them.

[acelightning]

well, for all i know, there may be an equivalent program here for people who use power chairs and scooters. but i'm pretty sure that motorcylists are on their own :-(

[dragonsally]

Hmmm. Not the sort of excitement you need.

[jeshyr]

Indeed not :/

[azurelunatic]

That's the wrong kind of exciting! Glad you got home safely.

[jeshyr]

It definitely came under "interesting times" yeah :/

[amethystfirefly]

I'm glad that you were able to get help and get home quickly! -offers a hug-

[jeshyr]

*hugs* Thank you :)

[jesse_the_k]

Excellent coping skills! Although days like this can bring The Doubt, I've found on the whole that the better traction and softer ride of tubed tires is worth the occasional flat. (And once, an explosive decompression on a city bus --- freaked out every one of us!)

I adore that the RACV know how to change wheelchair tires!

[jeshyr]

Do you find the difference in how soft the ride is is easily perceptible?

I get a lot of pain from all the jolts and bumps so I was especially careful to get a MWD with suspension and lots of padding on the seat. I've never used solid tyres but the advertising keeps saying that it's just as soft a ride... This seems logically odd - if it's just as good why do people use air tyres? - but also attractive ... it's good to have a personal opinion.

On the other hand I am fine and I did fine and it'll be less scary next time and it's the first time in 10 years I've got a sudden flat while I'm out ... so basically my strategy is sound.

[jesse_the_k]

I can tell the difference between "flat-free" and tubed tires immediately. I went with four-wheel suspension and an air flotation cushion (ROHO) and it's still uncomfortable as all get out. I also think my RWD chair handles better with tubed tires.

SOUND strategy is very sound.

[jeshyr]

I've never run on flat-free tyres but if this one-flat-a-decade pattern continues i'm happy to take the risk!!

Tyre is safely changed now and he even topped up the air in my manual chair tyres. Happy friendly RACV dude was very nice :)

[jesse_the_k]

You're ready to roll! May it always be smooth and tack-free

[afuna]

EEK. I'm glad you got home safe and they were really helpful and you coped. Here's to hoping you get the new tires quickly! *loves*

[jeshyr]

*hugs* All done now! Is good :)