Segways for Independence

[Sunday]

I posted on the Special Needs section a few days ago, my desire to obtain some surplus Segways from the USPS. Today, they wrote back, and indicated that they would be very interested in helping me distribute Segwas to the mobility impaired.

So...I need a national organization to host me, until I can scrounge up the cash to set up Segways for Independence on its own. As soon as I have more information, I will let everyone know, so we can start accepting those tax deductible donations of money and unused Segway HT's.

Basic info; I want this to help persons with documented mobility impairments. I will be asking persons requesting this service to send me a letter signed by a MD, Occupational, or Physical Therapist indicating that they are able to safely operate a Segway solo. And of course, I will want an essay detailing how the Segway will impriove your life. Here's the catch-if you can no longer use the HT, it goes back to Segways for Independence, to be given to someone else.

I will be contacting LLC to see what they think of all of this. Maybe we can refurbish them , and provide them with a warranty of some kind.

If you're intersted in applying, let me know. If you can help out in this endeavor, let me know.What stinks though, is that I still won't be able to get one for me! I'm not mobility impaired! (Thankfully)


Thanks,

Mark Sunday
President
Segways for Independence




Segway-more fun than you can stand!

[dexter]

>>What stinks though, is that I still won't be able to get one for me! I'm not mobility impaired!

While this may not bring you financially closer to pursuit of personal Segway ownership, it will certainly be bringing you bankable karma points in the more important pursuit of life.

Kudos to your continued efforts.

Due to personal and health issues in my own life I am currently unable to commit time to helping you, but as you move forward with this I would like to be involved if I am able. I have layout and design skills so possibly I could start by helping you set up printed information and forms for application.

Dave C.
me: www.idexter.com
work: www.idealjacobs.com
play: www.nyline.org

[dhugger]

This sounds like a great idea... but I think I know why something like it hasn't been done yet. I'm pretty sure the reasons why the Segway was never tested as a medical device are:
1. It would have taken too long to release the machine to the public.
2. I think LLC made some kind of deal w/ Johnson & Johnson regarding the iBOT... basically saying they wouldn't compete... or something like that. So the HT is for fully mobile people, while the iBOT is for those who cannot walk on their own.

Please don't take what I wrote as a put down. I don't mean it as such. I think your idea is a great one, and I hope you can make it happen!

-Derek Hugger-

[dexter]

The obsticles of having the Segway approved as a medical device are very valid. I agree this may be a reason that Segway LLC has not done this. Without having legal knowledge in this area myself, though, it may be true that while they cannot be sold specifically as a medical device, there might be no reason an independant non-profit organization couldn't offer them to mobility challenged people on their own in recognition that they could be helpful to people who don't require or can't justify an iBot.

If I am correct about this then an organization like "Segways for Independance" could serve well to fill the gap for people who might be helped by a mobility device while not requiring a device like the iBot. It wouldn't involve government medical aid programs or insurance qualification so hopefully that wouldn't become an issue. If LLC is not allowed to target them specifically to mobility impaired people, I'm not sure that would prevent other groups from offering the device as a helpful aid, like food or shoes to people in need.

This is definitely something to research before diving too deeply into this to make sure it can work without legal problems. But I think it is certainly worth looking into.

Dave C.
me: www.idexter.com
work: www.idealjacobs.com
play: www.nyline.org

[segwaynewton]

do you want them for MS or other aliments?

Segway, it's the ride of the future!

[Sunday]

My idea is to distribute them to those who have mobility impairments. So, yes, MS, MD, Post Polio, Parkinson's, etc. The applicant would need to have a physician assess their ability to effectively use the HT.

Right now the USPS is considering my request. There will be legal issues to be addressed, and I still need to organize this idea into a real bona fide entity with a tax ID. But atleast they are considering it!

And thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I do appreciate the feedback.




Segway-more fun than you can stand!