Is the Segway for people with Balance Issues?

John F · 04-09-2004, 02:28 PM

I've had a tough year... I eman real tough year. I've had 2 back operations due to weakness in my legs. The first operation didn't solve the problem I was having and the second operation did solve the problem. I am rehabbign from that operation right now.

And what I am facing right now is bad balance due to some lingering muscle weakness. I was interested in the Segway before things got grim, and I'm a little more interested in the device now... but does it work well for people who have balance problems?

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SegwayUtah · 04-09-2004, 02:41 PM

John F.,

This is a question which has come up again and again, for obvious reasons.

The overwhelming answer so far is yes, the Segway HT has the magical ability to correct many balance impairments, almost like a magical pair of legs.

Here is my recommendation: find a local owner (through the SEGamerica.org "find local members" feature, for members only) or through the Search feature here on SegwayChat.com. There are a ton of owners in Florida.

Try it out for yourself, and see how it works. Make sure you are comfortable getting on and off without assistance (which shouldn't be too difficult), etc.

The official line I've heard is something like "if you can walk up and down stairs without assistance, you can ride a Segway HT." The Segway HT is not for everyone, but for those that cannot use the HT there is an iBOT

There may just be a magical pair of sneakers, so to say, in your future.

So sorry to hear about your rough year

Chris

John F · 04-09-2004, 04:53 PM

Well, seeing Tampa Bay is so much sprawl and I missed Pam when she was in the Bay area, I was planning on going to Brookstone at an upscale mall and trying to get a test glide there...

Also -- checking SegAmerica and finding "The fifty closests members within 100 miles", nary a response came up... Fun stuff :/

thanks Chris

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SegwayUtah · 04-09-2004, 05:00 PM

Quote:

quote:Also -- checking SegAmerica and finding "The fifty closests members within 100 miles", nary a response came up... Fun stuff :/

John,

Did you enter your zipcode during the registration process on SEGamerica.org? You must be in the middle of nowhere if there are no members within 100 miles, or the website isn't understanding your postal code.

What cities are near Palm Harbor?

Also, letting an owner give you a test-ride may be more satisfactory than trying one out at Brookstone. Some of the Brookstone stores probably do a good job, but some of them are probably clueless and you might walk away with the wrong impression of an HT.

If you do go to a Brookstone, remember:

1. Your first instinct may be to balance the machine. Don't. It will balance you.
2. Pretend like it's a stepping stool or a platform.
3. Step up with one foot, and then step up with the other foot.

If you start rocking back and forth gently, it's because you're not trusting the machine

It really _will_ balance you. Just center yourself on the platform, relax, and let the machine become an extension of you.

It's really an amazing experience.

Let us know how it goes!

Chris

John F · 04-09-2004, 05:24 PM

Palm Harbor is near Tampa... So I am not really far (OK, 90 miles or so) from Celebration and NEVRLand but I'd need to get a ride out there. Also getting a ride down south to one of the Sarasota Segway owners isn't possible...

FIlled out full registration on SegAmerica so my Zip is in there... There are just no registered users near me. There was one person on the search on this site who owned a segway but he hasn't been here since November

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QuadSquad · 04-09-2004, 07:17 PM

Hi John,
I think that the segway might be just the ticket for you, but as Chris says you'll never know until you try it.

It is very important that you get a demo from someone who is very good at giving them. My suggestion is that you e-mail Leonard Timm who is the cofounder of DRAFT and lives in Celebration. his e-mail address is LTimm@DRAFT.cc

I'm certain that he will be able to assist you in making arrangements for an adequate demonstration experience for you. After that you'll be able to assess whether you want a new HT or a new set of wings, for people with disabilities they seem comparable!

jrmiller · 04-10-2004, 10:23 AM

STOP GO NO FURTHER DO NOT PASS GO .... I live in Palm Harbor and I would be thrilled to give you a demo. The local Brookstone store in the mall does not have a HT to demo. You can e-mail me or call. the onfo is in the members section. I live in the Westlake Village area Alderman and Belcher RD. PLease contact me.... JR SEG-ON SEG-RIGHT

John F · 04-10-2004, 11:35 AM

I am emailing you right now Jr -- this is excellent

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jrmiller · 04-10-2004, 03:35 PM

JohnF Got your E-mail and it is OK to call me. Please do so before 5:30 today as I have a family function to go to this evening. JR

John F · 04-10-2004, 03:59 PM

will do JR.

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04-09-2004, 02:28 PM	#1
John F Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. Posts: 161	Is the Segway for people with Balance Issues? I've had a tough year... I eman real tough year. I've had 2 back operations due to weakness in my legs. The first operation didn't solve the problem I was having and the second operation did solve the problem. I am rehabbign from that operation right now. And what I am facing right now is bad balance due to some lingering muscle weakness. I was interested in the Segway before things got grim, and I'm a little more interested in the device now... but does it work well for people who have balance problems? Get a better 'Gauge on things Boltsmag - Tampa Bay LIghtning weblog

04-09-2004, 02:41 PM	#2
SegwayUtah Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,644	John F., This is a question which has come up again and again, for obvious reasons. The overwhelming answer so far is yes, the Segway HT has the magical ability to correct many balance impairments, almost like a magical pair of legs. Here is my recommendation: find a local owner (through the SEGamerica.org "find local members" feature, for members only) or through the Search feature here on SegwayChat.com. There are a ton of owners in Florida. Try it out for yourself, and see how it works. Make sure you are comfortable getting on and off without assistance (which shouldn't be too difficult), etc. The official line I've heard is something like "if you can walk up and down stairs without assistance, you can ride a Segway HT." The Segway HT is not for everyone, but for those that cannot use the HT there is an iBOT There may just be a magical pair of sneakers, so to say, in your future. So sorry to hear about your rough year Chris

04-09-2004, 04:53 PM	#3
John F Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. Posts: 161	Well, seeing Tampa Bay is so much sprawl and I missed Pam when she was in the Bay area, I was planning on going to Brookstone at an upscale mall and trying to get a test glide there... Also -- checking SegAmerica and finding "The fifty closests members within 100 miles", nary a response came up... Fun stuff :/ thanks Chris Get a better 'Gauge on things Boltsmag - Tampa Bay LIghtning weblog

04-09-2004, 05:24 PM	#5
John F Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. Posts: 161	Palm Harbor is near Tampa... So I am not really far (OK, 90 miles or so) from Celebration and NEVRLand but I'd need to get a ride out there. Also getting a ride down south to one of the Sarasota Segway owners isn't possible... FIlled out full registration on SegAmerica so my Zip is in there... There are just no registered users near me. There was one person on the search on this site who owned a segway but he hasn't been here since November Get a better 'Gauge on things Boltsmag - Tampa Bay LIghtning weblog

04-09-2004, 07:17 PM	#6
QuadSquad Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA. Posts: 479	Hi John, I think that the segway might be just the ticket for you, but as Chris says you'll never know until you try it. It is very important that you get a demo from someone who is very good at giving them. My suggestion is that you e-mail Leonard Timm who is the cofounder of DRAFT and lives in Celebration. his e-mail address is LTimm@DRAFT.cc I'm certain that he will be able to assist you in making arrangements for an adequate demonstration experience for you. After that you'll be able to assess whether you want a new HT or a new set of wings, for people with disabilities they seem comparable!

04-10-2004, 10:23 AM	#7
jrmiller Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: , Florida, USA. Posts: 223	STOP GO NO FURTHER DO NOT PASS GO .... I live in Palm Harbor and I would be thrilled to give you a demo. The local Brookstone store in the mall does not have a HT to demo. You can e-mail me or call. the onfo is in the members section. I live in the Westlake Village area Alderman and Belcher RD. PLease contact me.... JR SEG-ON SEG-RIGHT

04-10-2004, 11:35 AM	#8
John F Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. Posts: 161	I am emailing you right now Jr -- this is excellent Get a better 'Gauge on things Boltsmag - Tampa Bay LIghtning weblog

04-10-2004, 03:35 PM	#9
jrmiller Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: , Florida, USA. Posts: 223	JohnF Got your E-mail and it is OK to call me. Please do so before 5:30 today as I have a family function to go to this evening. JR

04-10-2004, 03:59 PM	#10
John F Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. Posts: 161	will do JR. Get a better 'Gauge on things Boltsmag - Tampa Bay LIghtning weblog

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