A new life - irving reborn after near fatal accident

[irving2008]

Just a quick update as been a bit off colour last few days with yet another infection. Really knocks you back but feeling stronger now.

Having my own wheelchair adapted vehicle makes a huge difference. Got a KIA Sedona conversion that allows my wheelchair to be driven in the back and up to the front passenger location. So much better in terms of comfort and sociability than the van conversions that stick you up the back 'out of sight, out of mind'.

Starting to try and get some elements of normality into my life...

Went to Regents Park last bank holiday weekend for lunch and a pootle round the lake, managed to get out in the sunshine (that was Spring wasn't it?). Ice cream never tasted so good, if somewhat messy :) This weekend had a bbq in garden, again was nice to get out in the sun. The 'lake' is still there lol.

Been to cinema to see the new Startrek movie, enjoyed it but only give it 8/10.

Sacked my architect, planning issues were as much due to conflict of personalities as planning policy, interviewed and selected a new one who seems much more on the ball. Still its going to be at least another 6mo before I move back home.

Finally got the police report on my accident - only taken them 6 months though legally they are required to make it available within 12 weeks. Can't say more at the mo, but was amazed at the level of incompetence and inaccuracy in there (one example of many: report says it was daylight at the time yet sunrise is actually over 45min later) so filing official complaint, not that its going to make any difference.

Need to do arm/shoulder exercises to build upper body strength but only get 1 hour physio a week, so want to get a wheelchair-accessible multigym and hand ergometer (like an exercise bike for arms) but commercially available units are too big for home and stupidly expensive. Working on some ideas around using the weights stack off a cheap (~£390) multigym and getting someone to fabricate a frame for it. Also looking at ideas for modding a cheap bike trainer resistance unit for the ergometer on a custom fabricated stand. All input welcome!

[Philly]

Glad to see you're out and about and things are finally progressing. How is the movement in your fingers now? If you need anything soldering let me know, I'm good with an iron down to 0603 size, after that I use the iR oven or reflow station :)

[irving2008]

Glad to see you're out and about and things are finally progressing. How is the movement in your fingers now? If you need anything soldering let me know, I'm good with an iron down to 0603 size, after that I use the iR oven or reflow station :)

Fingers move after a fashion, but are useless for anything practical. On LH I can 'open' middle, ring and little finger but cant close them and have no control on index or thumb. on RH much the same but have some 'open' control on index and can twitch the thumb. things may improve over the years but have to assume not.

Thanks for your offer. Right now soldering stuff isnt on the agenda, my immediate focus is getting a multigym and a hand bike exerciser setup - the latter I want something that'll give me rpm, time and effort (watts) readouts, probably using an Arduino/touch screen. So looking for input/ideas on how to do it (I have a few) and then help fabricating it.

[irving2008]

Been a while since I posted here. Not much change to be honest, though hopefully will have some movement on planning permission in next couple of weeks.

In the meantime I've drawn up some plans for a hand ergometer (see here) as not been able to find anything suitable at a sensible price. Its a slow process, I can manage no more than a couple of hours on the computer a day (on a good day).

[Wobblycogs]

I haven't strayed into the general chat board for ages so I've only just seen this thread. Sorry to hear about your accident Irving and I hope your still improving. I can't believe planning has taken so long and been so difficult, do these people have no heart?

[irving2008]

Thanks...

Nope, they don't and still ongoing... hopefully will have it in next 8 weeks... but whether I can afford the needed changes is still a big issue so might all be moot anyway :(

In myself I'm getting to grips with this new way of life.... but it isn't easy...

I haven't strayed into the general chat board for ages so I've only just seen this thread. Sorry to hear about your accident Irving and I hope your still improving. I can't believe planning has taken so long and been so difficult, do these people have no heart?

[irving2008]

Just a little update, life continues much in same vein, been up n down last couple of months but getting out n about more and making best of the end of summer. Still trying to build upper body strengh but plateau'd a bit on that and struggling a bit to make progress.

Had a little wobbly at 7:05am yesterday - 1 year to the minute....

Still fighting Harrow on getting planning permission for house adaptations, hopefully we'll have won that battle before the end of the year, but will probably be June before work is complete.

Still, keeping positive.... :)