MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIRS 9,268

WHO  IS  . . .

BUBBLEHEAD?

MOTORIZED  WHEELCHAIRS

The universal symbol for the handicaped.

http://www.clker.com/clipart-wheelchair-sign.html

*  Special thanks to "Google Images", Jack FM, 93.1 HD, Los Angeles, CA,
Wikipedia.com, facebook,and Mike McNeilly.

by Felicity Blaze Noodleman

This week we are going to revisit the first article Noodleman published because of the impact this mode of transportation has on society as a whole.  It affects us all as we move about in our daily comings and goings.  We have to be mindful of the disabled both as a courtesy and also to protect ourselves from these crippled maniacs who demand the right of way everywhere they travel. Many times they are not in a normal state of mind as they have difficulty getting around. 

Also: when this article was first published we were not accessing Google Images to illustrate out articles but today have corrected this oversight!  Since this is a very serious subject we are including two lighter side articles to offset the mood today.

Motorized or Power Wheelchairs are the product of technological advancements which have become a marvel for the handicapped and a booming multi-million dollar industry  which is now surpassing the Billion dollar mark for all manufacturers including accessories.  Still in its infancy this new mode of motorized transportation is not regulated and the chairs safety is at the discussion of the manufacturer and the buyer. 

http://medicaresmostwanted.blogspot.com/2012_01_01_archive.html

Although they were first invented in the early 1880’s they were not generally available to all the handicapped until the past few decades. New designs and concepts have also contributed to their popularity and government assistance through Medicare has also helped with the affordability for the handicapped and elderly.  This is not a historical account of wheelchair technology but should be acknowledged as a logical introduction for the subject of this blog.

Since originally publishing this article about wheelchairs over a year ago, I have observed an increasingly high number of obese persons in wheelchairs.  I have also noticed larger wheelchairs to accommodate them.  Many times they have problems with balance for their operators and have difficulty with existing accommodations for the handicapped.

Notice the decaying bridge wood walkway planking under his wheelchair...many loose and warped big time. The Popperville Town Hall.

http://steamshovel2002.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-plea-to-president-obama-for-new-bridge.html

Today it is estimated that there are in excess of 600,000 of these “Power scooters” in operation by the handicapped in the United States.  Local and Federal mandates have been made in an effort to make ease and accessibility for the users of all Wheelchairs available and bring the handicapped back into the mainstream of everyday life. From ramps to “chairlifts” on Municipal bus lines, to curb ramping which merge with street level, specialized seating in restaurants, larger lavatory stalls and handicapped and parking on the streets and parking lots – society has made the effort to meet many contingencies for the disabled.

It is also interesting to note the boom in mobile wheeled devices in use today on sidewalks everywhere.  From the traditional bicycles and baby strollers to skateboards, rollerblades, shopping carts, walkers for the elderly, portable suitcases, carry along devices, delivery hand trucks, pallet jacks, motorcycles and the occasional automobile; pedestrians today must be evermore alert to dangerous situations as we take that casual stroll to our favorite restraint or shopping Center.

A man in a motorized wheelchair was hit by a sport-utility vehicle.  Emergency personnel tend to a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of North 29th and 6th Avenue North on Tuesday. One witness said the man was dragged along for a short distance by the vehicle.

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/man-in-wheelchair-bicyclist-hit-by-vehicles-on-tuesday/article_6015c746-a514-5c7f-97c3-cb6f6a6dfc52.html#ixzz2VGu6BwSC

As we walk along this throufair for foot traffic known as “side walks” all are moving along together at more or less the same speed with the exception of a few – bicycles and Power Wheelchairs.  Both are capable of achieving speeds of up to 20 MPH’s.  It’s hard to find specific information on the specifications of these mobile scooters but some handicapped users take muck pleasure in the quickness of their machine.  Many are capable of turning on a dime to achieve mobility in tight spaces found in the home.  But in public I have been shocked to many times by the sudden movement and quick turns of these mobile devices.  They can become a public safety hazard if not operated with caution and consideration for those around them. 

A news report from ATV about the dangers of improperly using mobility scooters:  In the past five years there have been 67 reported cases of mobility scooter accidents, 20 of which proved to be fatal. An investigation concluded that 76% of the accidents were the result of improper or wreckless handling of the scooters. Owners of mobility scooters are urged to avoid using them to climb hills or travel on gravel roads.  This crash test dummy tells the story!

http://www.japanprobe.com/2010/07/24/mobility-scooters-not-built-to-climb-steep-hills/

A web site in the UK identified as “Directgov.com” has determined 3 classes of Powerscooters and has recommended scooters should not travel in excess of 4MPH on sidewalks.  I strongly agree!  Listed below are some examples of unsafe and annoying behavior by the disabled operators in their Powerchairs:

• Scooters traveling at full speed indoors and out.
• Being cut off by scooters which have appeared out of nowhere.
• Scooters on over crowed elevators.
• Scooters traveling at “full out speed” downhill and through the street intersections.
• Scooters which suddenly turn around as you are walking behind them.
• Scooters which become entangled in floor mats.
• Scooters which turn over because of bad sidewalks or improper operation.
• Scooters operated when they are in poor repair (wheels which are loose or have rubber which is broken and separated from the wheel or even worse, no rubber at all).
• Scooters with operators who just plain lose control of their machine.

Hospitals are the only agency tracking and reporting the statistics of motorizedWheelchair and Scooter accidents.  During the reporting period between 1996 Thur 2006 they have seen a rise of incidents.   At some point it would appear necessary to publicly train and license Powerchair users and maybe ever require them to wear helmets.  But until then, they operate under the same rules and laws as the rest of us.

Others seem to think their chairs are vehicles.  I’ve posted before about wheelchair users in the street. Recently I saw one in the street that had me and everyone on the bus in shock:
http://urbanreviewstl.com/2012/04/power-wheelchairs-arent-vehicles/

By SELIM ALGAR  Last Updated: 6:41 AM, October 21, 2010 Posted: 2:41 AM, October 21, 2010 - A powered wheelchair lies wrecked on a West Islip, LI, street yesterday after its owner was killed by this black Mustang right near the hospital from which he had just been discharged.  Gary Johnson, 55, of Dix Hills, had left Good Samaritan Hospital at around 6:30 a.m. when he was struck by the car driven by Nancy Mecca, 39, of Shirley, cops said.  Suffolk police have ruled the collision an accident, and Mecca, who was admitted to Good Samaritan with minor injuries, will not be charged.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/car_kills_man_in_wheelchair_UVw6rihXYJbuFCcSLpAXaJ

 


Wheelchair operators for the lack of a better name, or should I say the crippled and disabled, depend on their transportation during every minute of their day.  They use them for everything both indoors and out with little thought about the condition of their wheelchair. The only maintenance they perform is recharging.  As a result I’ve seen some pretty dirty and overloaded motorized scooters.  They almost make you sick just to look at them and that is also true of the operators as well. They are a rolling health hazard!   Maybe someone needs to open a “Wheel Chair Wash” similar to a “Car Wash” to accommodate the disabled..

One final closing story.  I spoke to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy who was a Motorcycle Officer with his machine on the sidewalk at a subway station.  Jokingly, I asked if he was looking for Power Scooters to ticket.  He replied he would cite any unlawful behavior.  Then the Officer told me he had once stopped a Powerchair for unsafe operation and upon investigation he discovered the operator was on parole and found a handgun under the seat of the Powerchair!

We hope this article will help us to be more mindful of the handicapped who live in the world around us.  Whether they be in Wheelchairs, on Walkers, using Cains or Crutches.  Even the able bodied will have problems and fall from time to time!  This is Felicity advocating for the Noodleman Group.

 http://www.jerryward.co.uk/The-Big-Push-5---2012.php

WHAT  IS  JACK  FM ?

Normally this would be considered advertising but since I'm passing it along to you as a friend I suppose it's OK.  93.1 is an FM Rock station broadcasting in the Los Angeles area under the name of "Jack FM" - hardly the traditional radio station "call letters".  On March 17, 2005, the classic hits music format was dropped in favor of its present music format of adult hits branded as "Jack-FM".  Jack says they broadcast from a "dumpy little building in Culver City, CA".

The JACK-FM format was a break from the heavily niched formats that had developed beginning in the 1970s. JACK played 70s and 80s hits from pop, rock, and alternative genres, despite the fact that these were usually not played on the same station at the time they were originally hits. JACK was also unusual in that it eschewed DJs, and had a much larger playlist than the typical "oldies" or classic rock radio station.

Jack is so nice, especially for me - I have a long memory for the history of Rock N' Roll.  Jack has a huge play list of songs.  What's really cool are their station promos which are just up in your face funny!  After Jack has made their "so what" remark they hit you with about five quick shots of hits and then their next song.  Jack is also a station with more music than advertising.  This combined with their extensive play list makes for some very enjoyable listening when your hard at work on the computer!

So check them out - Jack's always on the net at http://931jackfm.cbslocal.com/.  With over half a century of hits Jack can't be wrong!

WHO  IS  . . . BUBBLEHEAD ?

"Bubblehead"!  Created by Los Angeles artist Mike McNeilly.

The cartoon illustrations for Bubblehead started showing up in Los Angeles about a year ago on benches at Bus Stops but they wern't really not advertising.  I quickly researched "Bubblehead" on the net think there might be a good story but found very little except the artist name with no story or explanation.  AH - this is a promo for a new movie or something. Well today when I checked again I was able to find out a little more.  Bubblehead is also now, or has been showing up in New York and getting bigger!  She now graces the sides of buildings and even along the freeway.  Bubblehead is a welcome change from the normal run of the mill advertising which bombards us at every turn and she ignites the imagination.  She also now even has her own Facebook page.  

Basic Info

Born	April 1, 1992
Affiliation	Bubblehead Games
Gender	Female
Personal Interests	Instagram: bubblehead13

Contact Info

Website

http://twitter.com/Bubblehead2013

History by Year

1992	·         Born on April 1, 1992

About

Bubblehead Games...
Right is Right and Wrong is Wrong...Justice for the Unjust...No Rest for the Wicked. My name is Robyn, but everyone calls me Bubblehead.

Bus Stop bench Ad in Los Angeles, CA



Bubblehead

I mean really, WHO IS SHE!  Is someone playing a hoax on me or what?  We look so much alike that we could be twin sisters.  We're both "Toons", so if she's my sister than who is our mother?  "   I'm so confused. 

Felicity Blaze Noodleman 
So this is me.  Can you see the unmistakable resemblance?  I must be the dull one in the family.  Blondes do resemble each other in so many ways, not to mention Kim Basinger!

Jane Fonda
"Barbarella"
Barbarella could really literally an older sister.  Who knows, we all look so much alike! Barbarella is tasked with finding, and eliminating the evil Duran-Duran.

Pamela  Anderson Lee
"Barb Wire"
And you know what else?  She also really, really reminds me of "Barbwire" who was played by my other sister, Pamela Anderson Lee.



"Bubblehead in New York City

 

“Hard Time” - (Top) and Spinning Daze - (Bottom)  Facebook

“Lip Service” – (Top)  and  “Flying Fish” – (Bottom)  Facebook

“Street Art” – (Top) and “More Street Art” – (Bottom)  Facebook

Faces to Watch 2013; Bubblehead has Game as Hollywood & Vine is Now RadioActive

 

The largest street art locations in Los Angeles and New York are the galleries for artist Mike McNeilly and Bubblehead Games.

 

PRWeb  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/12/prweb10280668.htm

 

...Game (noun) A form of play, a competitive one plays according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck, ending in a definite result.

Hollywood, California (PRWEB) December 30, 2012

"RadioActive Bubblehead" just painted at Hollywood & Vine is overlooking the historic Pantages Theatre, the "W" Hotel and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On another iconic building in Hollywood, the Metropolitan, "Bubblehead 1969" was imaged this month, which shows Bubblehead playing "OZ" as she travels in time. "Bubblehead Games" & "Bubblehead Blue Leaves" are two other murals in Los Angeles that were also just created by artist Mike McNeilly.

The massive super murals & street art with vital messages are portraits of a beautiful girl named Robyn, nicknamed "Bubblehead." She has a long history of inspiring massive street art, graffiti and wild postings with messages calling for the public to do the right thing on important issues that impact our lives. "PLS DNT TXT + DRIVE", another Bubblehead SuperMural, along with many celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey's "No Phone Zone" and Justin Bieber, have helped send this important message in imploring all of us to not text and drive.

This Mystery Girl a.k.a Bubblehead, created by artist Mike McNeilly, has been painted on the largest Manhattan wallscape on Park Avenue that raised awareness for organizations such as AMFAR, Project Angel Food and APLA. Her messages have been displayed on the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid in conjunction with the NYPD to give runaway kids a chance to call for help.

On the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, the massive street art has reached out to "Stop the Violence…Save the Children"…from guns, bullies, child abuse and drugs. She has also asked for support by the public for local organizations such as Hollygrove Orphanage, L.A.'s first orphanage and where Norma Jean Baker a.k.a Marilyn Monroe lived as a child, as well as Children of the Night, a private non profit organization dedicated to assisting children between the ages of 11 and 17 on the streets helping them with food to eat and a place to sleep.

PRWeb  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/12/prweb10280668.htm

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