Building a Better Wheelchair

[TDC57]

Originally Posted by mistercrash

I have been silently following these builds and I just want to say that you are an awsome individual sir, and everyone who pitched in to help you in this wonderful project. Like Homer Simpson once said:" If everyone was like you, we wouldn't need a Heaven, we'd already be there". Thank you.

Ray

WOW thank you RAY! , thank you for the kind words of encouragement, we've got some great guys here and I think there actions speak much loader than there words do..

I really do appreciate your time and your feedback regarding this (unusual none RC related project)..

Have a great week and thanks again Sir..

P.S.
If I didn’t say it before I’ll say it now!.. Welcome to the MONSTER!.. I hope you enjoy your stay here!, I ways do!...

[_paralyzed_]

about back angle: depends on the disability and user comfortability. adjustable is the ultimate, but if that's not possible a greater open angle is better than tipping forward(many spinal cord injuries paralyze triceps, and it is impossible for that person to push themselves back up if they leaned forward)

about using the chair: ha ha! welcome to my world. it is much smaller and more difficult than yours. You did hit on one of the two advantages to being disabled- good restaurant seating. The other- handicapped parking!

[JERRY2KONE]

True that Harold, but those are two advantages I can live without. I do not envy you one bit for the struggles you have to deal with every single day Sir. I count my lucky stars evey day for the gifts that I have been given, and I try to share that sentiment with my kids now so they to can appreciate what we have. I spent over 20 years in the military voluntarily, and I still cannot begin to add up what I have done in compaired to what you have had to put up with involuntarily. I applaued your persiverance and drive for life Sir.

[TDC57]

• Do I start a non profit organization (?)
• Do I open up a website dedicated for this purpose?
• Do I look for private or government founding (?) and where to begin the search (?)..
• What insurance (product liability, workers comp, state license, etc) would be required if and when we can find a home / need for them?.
• What you do think the game plan should be (?)
• Who do you think we try to reach out to first (?)
• Do you think I need to make another chair just to show others how it will be shipped in pieces (?) and what the end user will ultimately need to do to complete the chair ?
• Do I need to find a medical trade show, get a booth and show people first hand ?
• Do I contact the VA http://www.va.gov/ ?
• Do I contact talk shows (Oprah, Doctor Phil, ELLEN, the tonight show, etc)

(OR) do I simply give the idea to an existing agency and let them act on it as they will (??)


(For what it worth) here is what I've done lately to forward the cause..

I have applied for the documentation necessary to obtain a government grant here. https://secure.securesiteorders.com/...ovFundOWHT_opn

I've been researching the web and found that we have a program in place for such backing / support it's a non-profit Appropriate Technology International (ATI) institution in Washington, DC:, I think I need to contact them! http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi584.htm

I also subscribed to New Mobility Magazine http://www.newmobility.com/ I might as well learn what's upcoming and see / read about new trends, etc..

I also have started a list of companies that I believe need to be informed of this 3rd world chair: but I need to gather there contact information, Do I need to put toghter a packet to send them (do email it out or mail) them a binder with color pictures??.. I'm hoping that in today's world of dome and glom a (feel good for humanity) will get it somewhere??

• CNN = http://www.cnn.com/
• ABC = http://abc.go.com/
• NBC = http://www.nbc.com/
• Fox news = http://www.foxnews.com/
• World news = http://www.wn.com/
• Unicef = http://www.unicef.org/
• United way = http://www.unitedwayla.org/Pages/default.aspx
• Popular mechanics = http://www.popularmechanics.com/
• LA-Times = http://www.latimes.com/

My initial thought was if I can get exposure to the chair than (they / the organizations) will find me (what do you think?)

Thanks guys...

[jayjay283]

I was thining about that, not for profit would be good, but also isnt your wife Asian ? You could file for a woman owned minority business license. Then you have all sorts of government doors opened for contracts etc.

The more calls you make or the more letters you send out the more chance you have of scoring a sale or deal

Please tell me you have already submitted a patent package for this! I would hate for your hard work and dedication be stolen by some jack-n-ape looking to make a profit.

What insurance (product liability, workers comp, state license, etc) would be required if and when we can find a home / need for them?

As the manufacturer I don't believe that you are required to provide any sort of protection to the people that use your product.

First things is first, get yourself protected and decide on a game plan. I would contact medical trade shows, ones that specialize in wheelchairs and dealing with the handicapped, as there are many different types of medical trade shows.

After that I would consider approaching State/Federal Insurance programs that would allow you to distribute your product to people in need. The government is always interested in saving money and by having low cost wheelchairs to distribute would be a good way to get both a good contract and get exposure at the same time.

These are just my thoughts and I look forward to seeing you go forward with this dream.

[JERRY2KONE]

OK. Personally Shaun I would say think very carefully about how far you really want to go with this, and how much work you want to put into it. I think what you started out to accomplish is heroic and noble, but just how involved do you want to be with this over the long haul? I would maybe think about approaching a local university, college, or even a high school with suggestions on how the student body could literally lift up the hearts of young men and women with disabilities. Not to mention of what things like this can do for ones spirit and self esteem. with your newborn idea and examples to to work from, asking if they might be interested in evoling what you have come up with and turning it into a student project of some kind for part of their educational studies.

Plus there is a realistic oportunity here for them to share a lot more time realistically for production of these chairs in the form of volunteer work hours. You would not only be helping with moving people stranded with mobility issues out of the closet(so to speak), but also providing young energetic, intelligent students with an oportunity to help out that same community, and gaining an education through the process at the same time.

Plus higher educational institutioins have privledges that open doors that are not open to other organizations and individuals. That could prove to be useful in getting funding for such projects, and utilizing chanles to distribute products that only they have access to. Using a whole student body as a launching platform could end up helping out a lot of people on many levels.

This is something that the media would get truly excited about just because of the student involvement. This is just a suggestion for another way to go, and maybe giving you a chance to move on to other things along the way, unless you have and want to contribute thousands of hours to. I am just looking at this from another perspective, and truthfully speaking a project of this nature and size can easily swallow up every minute of your day for years. I am not saying that this would be a waste of time, but think about where it could lead. If you get outside funding involved in the early stages of a project like this they will surely expect you to show a long and short range plan that is viable to their wnats and needs considering whatever money's are fronted for the project. Plus your goals will have to meet with their expectations. Just my 2cents Mr. TDC57.

[TDC57]

Ok guys just and FYI.. I had a three hours consolation with a layer today and I’m doing this WRONG! So wrong I was laughed at!!... That made me feel great!..

I explained that my main goal for this chair is to give it development nations and provide them with mobility; I explained that I’m not looking for any money / compensation just a name recognition so my kids can be proud of what there father did / gave to the world as a gift. I explained that I would love to have the opportunity to explain how the chair is made and maybe give a speech or two (I love to public speaking) on why it was done, who I’m hoping to benefit it from and if I was lucky, oversee the initial startup phase where the chair in manufactured in the development nations.. (I don’t think I’m asking for too much) well apparently in the real world I’m am…

It was explained to me this way..

Since I’m giving this gift away to the world I don’t need to worry about opening a company or a non profit org. I don’t need to worry about any insurances at all, I don’t need any grant money, I don’t need to worry about really anything other than marketing the chair and myself at this point..

1. I need to get my own website up ASAP / before I even think about putting out a press release. When the press release goes out, the first question the news people will want to know is (who is Shaun) and what exactly is his goal and how did he do it?? I’ll need to link the press release back to the site explain the overall chair and it intended purpose.

I was reassured that the local news is a given, but in order to reach national status I’ll need to partner up with a non profit organization first. (I still don’t understand this one) but OK??

I was advised to contact existing non-profit organizations who are already involved in making 3rd world chairs and seek advise on who I should contact for publication or see if they are interested in becoming a partner (so – to – speak) in order to go national, once I partner up with a org I’ll probably lose all control and will lose all credit at that point. I was told the inventor always get screwed! And I’ll be lucky to get anything from this at all other personally knowing that in a small way it once my chair.. (Reality sucks).. but than again I need to be the bigger man and give it up for the sake of humanity, even if I get nothing out of it and it becomes someone’s else brain child I need to let it go! And keep the personal satisfaction that I / we all did our part to help other!..

Once I have open up a website, only then will I appear to be genuine in my offer to the world. OK that kind of makes sense ..

So to recap!..
1. Start a website (go-daddy) here I come!..
2. Put out the press release and see where it takes us!.. By the way I was shown what a true example of proper pres release looks and read like and I was WAY OFF!.. I hate to admit it but the version I saw was extremely better than what I had envisioned!, it was laid out in a way that I wasn’t even close!.. I felt like I was 8 years old seeking advise from my dad on how to write a letter! My versions (apparently) was that pathetic.. Who know!..
3. Once I’ve gone as far as I can go with the press release than I need to partner up with a non prop and give it away and walk a way and hope for the best!..

It’s not what I thought!, it’s not what I wanted to hear, it not fair, but that reality… I just need to keep in mind that the overall goal of the project is to give the gift of mobility and if I stick to my guns follow their advise I can achieve my goal, even know no one will now it came from us..

Thanks for your time guys!.. I’ve got some things to do from here on my own if I want to see it through.. this will most likely be my last update to the team as I don’t want to waste your time without being able to give any of the credit away to those who deserve it!.. YOU! The RCM family..

I’m thinking of closing the thread, I hate to think I wasted your time with this project, if I did I deeply apologize for it!.. I’m truly sorry!.. And extremely bummed at the moment!..

I’m going to bed!.. chow..

[jayjay283]

Well said Jerry, Shaun you sort of offered in a way to just let a corporation have your idea and run with it. The potential and work into it I think you should go with it. It will be your life though, phone 24/7. Just a nightmare of work, but I hate work, I decided to retire at 32 but that hasn't worked out well with the economy LOL, Still havent worked (really in 5 years) This sir will be a full on business start up. Need money for lawyers or at least a few G's to file some papers on the net. I do have a couple ideas ill PM you about after I speak with some people early next week. Check out my friends minority woman owned small business ( total front) http://www.stagenterprise.com/

Start by making a web site, getting some nice pamphlets done and a kind of vague business plan, or just web post them and I can print them out. I may have a good idea, but im retarded so dont put the eggs in this basket. My father was/is on the board of something like the WTO and I think if you throw him a solid business plan he can hand it to the right folks. Dont hand it away, your idea, though you may/maynot want anything for it, you should still benefit. JMI

[JERRY2KONE]

Your situation is much like that of the people going on to American Idol. Shaun you have a great idea and don't let one meeting change your heart in this. Just like the old doctor saying goes "get a second opinion". We can obviously tell that you were really put off by whoever you spokewith, but don't let one person stop you from living your dreams Mr. Life is full of hard knocks, and the way we show our kids is by not taking no for an answer(at least not the first time anyway). And secondly is if you do fail, then get back up and keep right on moving forward in spite of the setbacks. This is not over by any means Shaun. You just have to fiure out the best way to get this project off the ground, and that is going to be by finding the right person, school, or company who believes in what you are trying to do. No more no less. Kick your self pitty to the curb young man and get back on that horse. You have come too far and put in too much to just let this fall by the wayside. Sleep it off and re-think your approach. This is no different than fighting your way through any other beaurocracy(spellcheck) machine. I know there is some organization who will love what you are up to.

[_paralyzed_]

Absolutely put up a website, I agree with that.

Join an NPO and give up your dream? HELL NO.

You wanted to make sure you were okay legally. For that, the lawyers were useful. They told you their corporate way to go about your project. Screw them! You now know the legality, so go about it your own way.

DO NO GIVE UP UNTIL ALL OPTIONS ARE EXHAUSTED

If all attempts fail, then join a NPO, and go about it their way.

We can get you national coverage. This doesn't have to happen today. Lean on us man.

[TDC57]

Hey guys.. (Jay, Jerry and Harold) !!!!! Thanks for the pep talk ( I feel better after some sleep!), I'm down but by no means OUT!... HELL NO!..

Well it was a kick in the balls (I’m not going to lie to you) about that!.. I did feel like a little boy be schooled on the ways of life (talking about get knocked down a peg or two)..

But at least I know how to proceed!.. It tore me up inside when I was told that I can’t use RCM as a spring board, I was told that if I / credit you the TEAM / family I wont look genuine in my offer (I don’t get this) I’m going to find a way. I feel horrible, I feel embarrassed, I feel like I’ve wasted your valuable time for nothing!.. I’m sorry!!! I never meant to hurt anyone here or miss lead anyone, I so much wanted this to be team success, I wanted to bring exposure to the Monster and let he world know how cool everyone is here! And that anything is possible with friends..

I know there is still a way, I just haven’t figured it out yet!.. But I will…

Anyway I need to think of some of names for the site (domain names) I need to contact some of the more reputable non-profit agencies and speak with there marketing people.. I’m not giving up on the project! (HELL NO) the bottom line is I feel that even know it goes completely sourer on me and someone else will end up with all the credit, it’s still an outstanding cause, It’s still a noble cause and as long as it betters one person then I don’t believe I’ve failed in my goal..


So with the above said if you guys want me to let you know where I’m at and what I need help with Very cool… if not I understand that too…

Thanks for your time everybody!

Shaun..

P.S.
This is what I need help with now if you’re up for it (???)
Domain names (IE) a website address that doesn’t exist now!

I would also like to hear who you think (non-profit wise) I should contact!.
My first choice is the (OLPC) one laptop per child http://laptop.org/en/ this is an outstanding org and they are doing fabulous things throughout the world..

I also know of (AMREF) they bring quality and affordable heath care to those who need it most!. http://www.amref.org/what-we-do/

Unicef and United way are others, I was even thinking about the Ronald Mcdonald foundation (?)..

Thanks again for your time guys…

Shaun.

I may be speaking for myself here, but u have no reason to be sorry for wasting our time; i waste people's time everyday and don't say sorry. Seriously though, u have just made use of the time we already were wasting. I was just sitting on my butt like all wheelchair people do, watching this thread, coming up with ideas for my offroad powerchair. You didn't waste anyone's time; u gave them the time of their lives. Don't give up and don't give out your ideas!

[JERRY2KONE]

Listen to us as we are the powers from above. (Hypnosis)Don't look into the light, stay on the darkside. Stay focused and you will succeed. Don't worry, be happy. Is it working Shaun??? If anyone has wasted any time here we do it on our own. So stop already. Yes your suggestions sound like a good start. Also think about contacting someone like Bill Gates. Just think if he jumps on this and adds a free Ipod, or intslled laptop with each chair. Plus he has tons of donation money. Your just going to have to pull a name out of your butt with this one. I am sure that you will get some good input from RCM though. We have some pretty witty people in here. Like "TDC Wheels", or "RCM transortation", or something like "Leave the riding to us". "Wheels on the house", or "Angel Wheels". I am sure that whatever you come up with that you will acheive your goals and dreams with this. So stop feeling bad for nothing. This is going to happen, I can feel it. Keep pushing forward Shaun no matter what anyone tells you. Do not let someone else take your drive away.

[suicideneil]

Do you guys have that show 'Dragon's Den' in the states? I think getting on that show would be useful, especially with all the know-how the dragons have.

You have a great product that would sell well if marketed correctly ( I know about the not for profit thing but you have to cover costs and overheads etc plus leave something over for more investment), so setting up a basic website as mentioned would be a good start.

If you've ever heard of a company called 'Shelter Box', then their approach is highly successful; people donate money to them as they are a charity, and then they buy (in bulk) items of survival kit and shelter equipment that goes into a big box and gets shipped off to 3rd world countries or disaster areas (think earth quakes, floods, refugee camps etc). You could setup the chairs as a charity and then as people donate, you can buy all the parts needed to complete a single chair, and package them up as a kit and ship them out, to be assembled at their new home (clear pictoral instructions would be included along with glue and a tube of grease for the wheel bearings etc).

That approach would be good, or worth thinking about I reckon.