OK, AND THIS IS HOW IT WORKS

NOW, THIS IS CONCENTRATION!!

Well, I'm just sitting here in front of the computer having myself one of those thoughtless Fridays.  Not thoughtless as in being inconsiderate, just thoughtless as in being clueless.  Just haven't got a clue what to write about.  Some days a blog idea will begin to formulate in the morning shower & other days it's a last minute scramble before unconsciousness settles in for the night.

A STUDY IN FACES:))

Dropped into my ophthalmologist (eye guy) today & made an eye appointment for next Thursday morning.  Imagine the eye Doc will just tell me to quit my complaining, take half a dozen aspirins before going to bed & come back again in another year!!  Thanks for the concerned emails & comments about this.

In between mobility van runs today I popped home & decided to take a few pics of the van set up to show how that hydraulic lift on the van works & how people are loaded up & secured inside the van for transportation.  We have an old wheel chair here at home so with the help of a couple unwilling suspects I took a few photos to show how it all works.

   

(click pics to enlarge)  Pics are numbered from 1 to 9 starting at top left.  Pic 1 shows ramp down with chair ready to be loaded.  Caution has to be used here so the ramp doesn't come down & whap somebody on the head...mainly me!!  Pic 2 & chair is on the ramp.  Safety belt is clicked in behind chair & the wheelchair's brakes are put on.   Notice the yellow safety plate at back has kicked up preventing chair from moving back & off the ramp.   I stand between that door & the ramp as it goes up.  Left hand on the switch & my right hand on the person's wheelchair.  The up-down-fold-unfold switch is on the left door.  Caution has to be exercised here so that I don't press the wrong button & flip the person right over the van & into the next county!!  Pic 3 shows the ramp in top position.  At this point I walk around & enter the van from the side doors.  Caution has to be exercised here that I don't knock myself out cold hitting my head on the top door frame while entering!!  Pic 4 shows the chair still out on the ramp. (not good on rainy days) I walk back, take the chairs brakes off & pull the chair into the van. Caution has to be exercised at this point because I have to bend forward close to the person to do this & I had an elderly lady grab my beard one time & nearly pulled my whole darn face off!! (true story)  Pic 5 shows the chair in place totally secured with 4 seat belt devices anchored right into the floor.  Caution has to be exercised here because of the awkward bending & kneeling on the floor to get the belts secured to the chair.  Prime back injury time!!  A shoulder & lap belt is then drawn across to prevent the person from falling forward.  Pic 6 shows the back of the van with wheel chair inside & strapped down.  It is at this point that I put the ramp back up into it's stowed position.  Caution has to be exercised at the point that I don't let the ramp catch a piece of my clothing & fold me up with it!!  Pic 7 & the ramp is stowed in place for travel. (notice I am not folded up inside it) You can see the control box on the left door.  Caution must be exercised here when closing the finger shortening rear doors!!  Pic 8 shows Tweet & Socky Geepers, my unwilling little helpers in this lengthy demonstration.  Caution had to be exercised here because these guys were really ticked off at me for interrupting their afternoon snooze!!  Pic 9 & final photo shows a couple 'jump seats' that can be used if a family member or nurse person has to ride in the back.  Caution has to be exercised here because these seats can come down as your walking by & tear your leg off!! Ok, end of demonstration............:))

                       

COUPLE OF HANGING FLOWER BASKETS KELLY BROUGHT HOME EARLIER IN THE WEEK

I have had 2 wheelchairs in the back of these vans a few times but it is very, very, crowded.  You have to be a bit of gymnast as it is to get around back there & secure the belts to the chair.........So there ya go JERRY...........better get that knee healed up or I'll have to come down there to that Benson town in Arizona & belt ya down right into that chair in the back of the van.   We could load up some cowboy cookies & head up to that paved Escapee Visitor's parking area, smoke up the tires, & do some whirlygig doughnuts:))  I'll bet Suzy would get a kick out of that.

GROANER'S CORNER And did you know that 'old' is when you are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.

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