A wheelchair is like the user's feet, but how many people know that driving an electric wheelchair is not as easy as we imagined, and using it on the narrow roads of Hong Kong people requires a lot of skills.
The Self-improvement Association on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides electric wheelchair courses to wheelchair users, which not only teach basic operation skills, but also teach them the attitude of using wheelchairs.
After the course is over, they will be invited as fellow travelers to become mentors for other new electric wheelchair users to help students break through environmental and psychological barriers.
A wheelchair is like the user's feet, but how many people know that driving an electric wheelchair is not as easy as we imagined, and using it on the narrow roads of Hong Kong people requires a lot of skills.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
The obstacle-breaking master plan was implemented in August last year. "Masters" need to attend six training courses and complete the assessment before they can become obstacle-breaking masters and help other fellow travelers learn to use electric wheelchairs.
During the planning process, the class content of each session will be jointly formulated by the barrier-breaking master and the students, and the social worker will also evaluate it with the college in the first and sixth sessions.
During the six classes, the barrier-breaking master will also build relationships with other new electric wheelchair users and share their past experiences.
There are currently 7 barrier breaking masters and 5 trainees planned.
The obstacle-breaking master plan was implemented in August last year. "Masters" need to attend six training courses and complete the assessment before they can become obstacle-breaking masters and help other fellow travelers learn to use electric wheelchairs.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Wheelchair person feels guilty for relying on his wife for many years: he feels trapped
Master Liao, who has many years of experience in bus driving, is one of the masters of obstacle breaking. At the age of 49, he suffered from a stroke and became incapacitated. For the first three years of the stroke, his wife took care of his daily travels.
Although their relationship is not bad, Master Liao has always felt guilt towards his wife, "I feel that I trapped him, and I just take care of me, and I don't have time for myself, and I have to work on my shoulders and push me to the point of strain."
By chance, he came into contact with an electric wheelchair 4 years ago and successfully applied with the help of the agency. Master Liao also quickly got started with years of experience in driving a bus. After learning to drive an electric wheelchair, his life seems to usher in a new stage. In addition to regaining autonomy, travel has been smoother than before. "I feel that I am useful, my wife can let go, I can take care of myself, and even help housing entrepreneurs buy food, I don't think it's a waste."
Master Liao is one of the obstacle-breaking masters. At first, he learned to use electric wheelchair easily through his experience in driving a bus.
He described that after learning to drive an electric wheelchair, life is like entering a new stage. Apart from regaining autonomy, travel is smoother than before.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Learning to use an electric wheelchair "Originally there are some rules to abide by"
Since Master Liao learned to use an electric wheelchair, he often went out to the association to meet with other wheelchair users, and the association social worker tried to invite him to participate in the electric wheelchair course, "I heard a plan and thought it was strange, 'Everything needs to be learned. ?” But I was curious, I can learn baa.”
He then took the relevant course last year.
After the class, Master Liao's attitude towards using the electric wheelchair changed. "After the study, there was a change in his attitude. It turned out that my attitude towards using the electric wheelchair was very self-conscious. Usually, it’s just like that”, but it turns out that there are rules to abide by, otherwise it will break the law.”
After the course, the social worker invited him to become a barrier-breaking master, and as a fellow traveler, he taught other electric wheelchair novices to use the electric wheelchair correctly.
After the class, Master Liao's attitude towards using the electric wheelchair changed. "After the study, there was a change in his attitude. It turned out that my attitude towards using the electric wheelchair was very self-conscious. Usually, it’s just like that”, but it turns out that there are rules to abide by, otherwise it will break the law.”
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
The frail people refuse to step out of the house, and the master of barrier breaking helps to relieve their inner demons
The first student that Master Liao came into contact with was a wheelchair user who needed to smell oxygen for a long time. It turned out that the other party was also a professional driver before his health deteriorated.
When Master Liao learned about his background, he became curious, "I know how to drive cars, so I should get my hands on it soon."
At first, although Master Liao encouraged him to go out more, the students remained unmoved and continued to stay at home, just watching the outside world through the window.
The psychological and external environmental factors that affect the travel of wheelchair users deserve attention.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Later, he learned that although the other party was familiar with the operation of electric wheelchairs, he was very worried that the external oxygen bottle would suddenly run out because he had to smell oxygen for a long time. This situation continued for several years. "I have asked him, and I really want to go to the park, but I am worried."
After being persuaded by Master Liao and accompanied by a nurse, the student finally defeated his inner demon and was willing to step out of the house, "I am so happy and a sense of accomplishment. He can finally come forward to breathe and socialize again, and he is always trapped in the house and business. How boring."
Another obstacle-breaking master, Mr. Yau, pointed out that Hong Kong is a narrow area, and the bus that is often used in daily access is the most dangerous part of the wheelchair.
"The single seat of the bus is only good enough to fit in, and with little skill, they all have no confidence, and they will be shocked out of the street because of this."
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Taking the bus is the most worrying part for wheelchair users
Another obstacle-breaking master, Mr. Yau, pointed out that Hong Kong is a narrow area, and the bus that is often used in daily access is the most dangerous part of the wheelchair.
"The single seat of the bus is only good enough to fit in, and with little skill, they all have no confidence, and they will be shocked out of the street because of this."
On the same day, Mr. Qiu and another trainee simulated the situation of getting on the bus. It can be seen from the scene that they need to drive into the vicinity of the seat of the wheelchair person, and they need to look behind at the same time, use the rear wheel to step back to enter the seat area, and then use the front wheel to adjust the direction.
The whole process seems simple, but it is not easy to operate on a bus with many people. In addition to using the only position to move, it also has to withstand the pressure of the crowd. Go, but if you are surprised, you will make a mistake.”
Talking about the reason why Mr. Qiu is the master of obstacle breaking, he pointed out that he had encountered obstacles everywhere when he did not understand electric wheelchairs. Besides, he was also satisfied to see them gradually reintegrating into society. "There was a 70-year-old uncle who lived alone. He went back to the street and back to the park, and returned to the feeling of blowing water with his friends under a tree."
Ip Wai-keung (left), project director and social worker of the Self-improvement Association, pointed out that there are few teachings on how to properly use electric wheelchairs, but according to the latest government figures, the increase in wheelchair users is more than 20%.
(Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Ip Wai-keung, project director and social worker of the Self-improvement Association, pointed out that there are few teachings on how to use electric wheelchairs correctly, but according to the latest government figures, the number of wheelchair users has increased by more than 20%.
"In the past, people with strokes, physical disabilities, and different diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, would cause more and more people to use electric wheelchairs."
He said that the Barrier Breaker Program started with the Rehabilitation Association and was later taken over by the Self-improvement Association. He observed that many wheelchair users have travel barriers due to the social environment. Let them gradually control the electric wheelchair from shallow to deep. After crossing the obstacles, they can re-enter social life.
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