Expo-nentially
Fun!

by Kathy Wechsler

Akid in a candy shop. That’s the best way to describe how I felt during my recent weekend at the Abilities Expo of Southern California in Anaheim. And not just because most booths gave out Tootsie Rolls and other delights.

Devoted to improving the lives of people with disabilities, Abilities Expos feature hundreds of companies wishing to inform attendees of their products, services and organizations. The admission fee is $5, but there are printable coupons for free admission on the Abilities Expo Web site, www.abilitiesexpo.com.

Other organizations putting on expos and conferences include the World Congress on Disabilities, Family Café, World of Possibilities and Assistive Technology Industry Association.

These events usually offer a variety of educational workshops as well as product displays. Informational conferences held during the Anaheim Abilities Expo included disability and intimacy, creating a future care plan for family members with disabilities, home accessibility, traveling with disabilities and keeping a positive attitude.

In addition, expos usually have special exhibits and events; in Anaheim there were wheelchair dance performances by the Colours N’ Motion dancers, computer demonstrations by Enablemart and a viewing of the

Vertebrae Chopper with matching wheel-

Permobil’s K300 PS Jr.

Next Mobility’s Tailwind

chair from

Lasher Sport.

The three-wheeled motorcycle by Orange County Choppers was featured on Discovery Channel’s “American Chopper.”

Auctions, prizes and giveaways also are common.

Abilities Expos go the extra mile to make sure people with disabilities are comfortable and taken care of during their visit. In Anaheim, attendees were offered complimentary wheelchair loaners, attendant care for restroom trips and wheelchair repairs.

One of the great things about these expos is that you can get the inside scoop on the industry’s coolest new products, and in some cases, even try them out.

Here are a few things that caught my eye in Anaheim:

Next Mobility

Next Mobility’s Tailwind is a new and improved power-assist wheelchair.

The Tailwind is a package consisting of the RTm, an aesthetically pleasing, lightweight, high-performance manual wheelchair with quick-release wheels; and the Tailwind power package (TPP) with a removable battery pack. Because the TTP is integrated into the frame on both sides under the seat and the battery pack is cleverly concealed, it looks so much like a regular manual wheelchair that most people don’t realize it’s power assisted.

Thanks to DeltaSense technology that senses pressure on the handrims, users can easily travel up and down hills and across grass and gravel while expending less energy than rolling on a flat, level floor. This puts less stress on the arms, helping prevent arm and shoulder problems and providing greater independence.

Options include armrests, supportive backrests, push handles, seatbelts and anti-tippers. Approximate price range is

from $8,450 to $9,500.

Looking into the future, the Tailwind plans to offer a “ plug-and-play” joystick for those who can’t use the two push rims and prefer the look, maneuverability and transportability of the manual wheelchair frame. (888) 489-NEXT www.nextmobilityno w.com

Convaid

The recently release

CuddleBug from Convaid is the first stroller on the market that can tilt, recline and lower the child inches from the floor to play with friends.

In addition, it offers seating and positioning The CuddleBug options such as hip and ^{from Convaid} thigh supports, hip guide inserts, foot positioners and a pelvic positioning belt. The CuddleBug also has two seating modules to accommodate the child’s growth and comes in two sizes.

A foldable base and height-adjustable push handles make the CuddleBug convenient to use. Prices start at $2,449.

(888) 266-8243
www.convaid.com

Aero Innovative Research

The Flight Ultralight Wheelchair from Aero Innovative Research has been on the market since January 2008. This folding-frame manual wheelchair combines the comfort and health benefits of solid seating with the convenience and transportability of traditional sling seating.

Designed not to rip, stretch or sag like sling seating, the Flight’s solid seat helps keep the body in good alignment. A solid seat promotes better posture and lessens the risk of tailbone pressure sores and lower back pain.

Also available from Aero Innovative Research, Varilite’s rigid removable backrests offer support and customization.

Travel is easy with the Flight. Just pull up on the handle attached to the seat, and the wheelchair folds to a width of 9-and-a-half inches from handrim to handrim.