Another 1st

Wednesday evening my wife made a trip to the local movie theatre. We enjoy going out to the movies and do so with some regularity, however what made this trip different was that it marked the 1st time the Segway has accompanied us in the theatre. During immediate past trips, if a lot of walking (for me 50 yards or more) was required and I started stumbling due to fatigue, I thought the Segway could be a big help and found myself wishing I had it with me. I had previously scoped the theatres we attend for possible barriers and found none.

Wednesday evening the Segway came through once more and made it easy for me to navigate to the correct theatre and travel to a seat. The stadium style theatres have spaces on the ground level rows for wheelchairs (and Segways). It will probably be with me in all future trips too. The experience has underscored one of my newly formed attitudes as far as using it in different situations, that being - WHEN IN DOUBT - DO!

New Years Reflections

Even though we are several days into 2006, I have been reflecting on the past year and what it has meant to me. As my wife and I were driving to Louisville yesterday for a mall trip, I was thinking back on the last year and things I have been able to do because of the Segway. Whenever we make even a short journey we frequently find ourselves making some statement like "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Segway". As I find my mobility becoming increasingly hard to manage, I find the machine becoming even more important to me. Just the other day a church member and good acquaintance said to me "That thing came along at just the right time for you". How true. I've said that for me, as far as mobility is concerned, it helps me perform the tasks I have the most trouble with, those being balance, speed and endurance. Believe me, I am extremely grateful and thankful for having a device such as the Segway at this critical phase of my life.

I just wonder what adventures it will help me with in 2006.

P.S. My son-in-law gave me a book for Christmas entitled "1,000 Place To See Before You Die". He knows I like to travel and it is an excellent resource. My only concern is that I wondered if the title was not some form of prognostication as to my immediate future. ;-)

Have A Great New Year!