SegwayChat - Advice Please-Balance Issues

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdtbaltimore (Post 228430)

My name is Brent, I am a disabled law student living in Gulfport, FL, which is basically right by St. Pete's Beach, in St. Petersburg obviously. I have a spinal cord injury that results in my walking with a cane and a limp. I have 30% use of my left leg and 80% use of my right leg. Balance can be an issue for me as well as walking distances. I recently totaled my truck and really am interested in getting a Segway. My concern is that my balance issues would prevent me from riding a Segway. Is this the case? Does anyone else have these issues and what are your experiences? Also, I was considering a seated Segway, but don't want to have to invest the extra money if it's unnecessary. So does below average to poor balance prevent one from being able to properly operate the machine? And also, I can stand, but would prefer to sit. So is the seated option a worthy one? Thanks everyone for your time, and I hope someone can help me with a response. Take care.

Brent, welcome.

My situation may be far different from yours, but I hope this helps.

I have left-sided paralysis and severe balance issues due to MS. I normally walk with 2 forearm crutches and my limit is down to about 2 blocks, max. I was homebound for 7 years and when I got my I2, it was like growing my legs back.

The only time that I have fallen was when I felt too "normal" and let my left leg relax. It collapsed and I fell to the left. I wasn't moving at the time and wasn't seriously hurt. When I ride, I keep my left leg locked and towards the back of the mat. I keep my right leg relaxed and more to the front. With this fore-aft position, I feel very secure and have over 2500 miles in about a year and a half.

I shake and spasm when I stand, normally, but when I am on my Segway, the machine shakes and I stay still. Hard to describe...but it makes me feel so normal to not shake and spasm. Of course I still am s & s'ing, it is just that the machine senses and compensates.

Hope this helps.

BoscoBob