Re: Good night sleep and van question

[Guest guest]

DEAR JUDY,

THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE MDA " QUEST " MAGAZINE ABOUT VAN CONVERSIONS AND HAND

CONTROLS. GO TO www.mdausa.org AND CHECK OUT THEIR ARCHIVES. THIS ARTICLE

APPEARED SOMETIME IN THE LAST YEAR. I JUST DON'T REMEMBER WHICH MONTH.

I ALSO WANTED TO SEND MY PRAYERS FROM DENVER, COLORADO TO YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND.

GOD BLESS,

LISA NICHOLS

PS I SENT AN UNFINISHED E-MAIL EARLIER BY ACCIDENT. SORRY!!!

Good night sleep and van question

Hi: I, like I am sure all of us, do not get a good nights rest due

to waking up with being so uncomfortable. Out of desperation I took

one of those back rest pillows that people use to read in bed and put

in under my thighs so my knees are bent ~90* and my feet are almost

flat on the bed (no foot drop while being on my back.) I could not

believe it...I woke up the next morning without all the discomfort.

So I have tried it every night since and I am sleeping all night.

But I was worried that I would develop blood clots being in that

position for so long so I take a baby aspirin to keep my blood on the

thin side. I have not noticed any symptoms on blood clots but I am

aware of it. I feel so much better in the morning. Just thought I

would pass this on for what it is worth.

I am thinking of getting a power chair and I appreciated all the

chatter about them as it was informative. But what kind of van will

handle a chair plus I probably would get hand controls. How I would

love to be independent.

My husband was recently diagnosed with cancer and he starts his chemo

next week. What a bummer! But we are being possitive about it and

will accept all prayers. Thanks. Judy in FL

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy:

Life just isn't fair sometimes - especially when it comes in the form of a

'DOUBLE WHAMMY' like both you and your husband. Having a positive attitude

is definitely a plus and will include you both in my prayers also.

I am still able to drive (fortunately) and this Spring I had an automatic

lift installed in the rear of my Van. This disadvantage to this is that it

order to get my scooter out I have to have someone with me as I am too short

and have such poor balance that I can't open or shut the back door. My Van

is a 1999 and although the newer ones have the automatic door, I had a hard

time justifying spending that kind of money when I don't know how much

longer I can drive. It does however come in handy when I have someone with

me.

Hopefully you will find something to make your life easier.

My best to you and your hubby.

Jo.

Good night sleep and van question

> Hi: I, like I am sure all of us, do not get a good nights rest due

> to waking up with being so uncomfortable. Out of desperation I took

> one of those back rest pillows that people use to read in bed and put

> in under my thighs so my knees are bent ~90* and my feet are almost

> flat on the bed (no foot drop while being on my back.) I could not

> believe it...I woke up the next morning without all the discomfort.

> So I have tried it every night since and I am sleeping all night.

> But I was worried that I would develop blood clots being in that

> position for so long so I take a baby aspirin to keep my blood on the

> thin side. I have not noticed any symptoms on blood clots but I am

> aware of it. I feel so much better in the morning. Just thought I

> would pass this on for what it is worth.

>

> I am thinking of getting a power chair and I appreciated all the

> chatter about them as it was informative. But what kind of van will

> handle a chair plus I probably would get hand controls. How I would

> love to be independent.

>

> My husband was recently diagnosed with cancer and he starts his chemo

> next week. What a bummer! But we are being possitive about it and

> will accept all prayers. Thanks. Judy in FL

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Judy my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband. God bless, Sandy

Good night sleep and van question

Hi: I, like I am sure all of us, do not get a good nights rest due

to waking up with being so uncomfortable. Out of desperation I took

one of those back rest pillows that people use to read in bed and put

in under my thighs so my knees are bent ~90* and my feet are almost

flat on the bed (no foot drop while being on my back.) I could not

believe it...I woke up the next morning without all the discomfort.

So I have tried it every night since and I am sleeping all night.

But I was worried that I would develop blood clots being in that

position for so long so I take a baby aspirin to keep my blood on the

thin side. I have not noticed any symptoms on blood clots but I am

aware of it. I feel so much better in the morning. Just thought I

would pass this on for what it is worth.

I am thinking of getting a power chair and I appreciated all the

chatter about them as it was informative. But what kind of van will

handle a chair plus I probably would get hand controls. How I would

love to be independent.

My husband was recently diagnosed with cancer and he starts his chemo

next week. What a bummer! But we are being possitive about it and

will accept all prayers. Thanks. Judy in FL

[Guest guest]

Like many folks on this list I have an IMS ramp conversion in a Dodge Grand

Caravan. Since my power chair is pretty big I needed the Grand Caravan to

enter and turn around to exit. Smaller chairs can get into a regular

canravan or a Windstar I'm told. I also have a transfer seat that moves

back from the steering wheel and rotates to a side position so I can get in

and out of the driver's seat. The chair is held in place using an E-Z Lock

device that, after having a metal post put on the bottom of the wc, allows

me to drive the chair over as v opening and then catches the chair and

holds it in place. For longer trips when I'm not driving I can either stay

in chair and have the passenger seat removed or I can sit in the regular

passenger seat with the chair in the E- Z Lock. The van also " kneels " when

the door is opened so the grade is not so great getting in and out. Don

showed me his and Betty Jo's van several years ago and I was

sold. The van and conversion and seat and locking device come to about

$45,000 new but you might get one on consignment at a conversion

dealer. Mark and I were very lucky and got one that was 2 years old and

had 11,000 miles on it for $28,000. If you work or are looking for work

and need the van to get to work your state may pick up most of the cost of

the conversion (about $17,000) but will not help with a vehicle purchase or

the purchase of an already converted vehicle. In Texas it was going to

take me about three or four months I didn't have so I bought the one that

came up.