NURS 5324.062 by Margaret Thompson

Exploring Off Road Mobility

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:31:27 UTC

Source Details

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:34:28 UTC

"The Rig lets disabled people go off-roading"
Medgadget by Medgadget editors
The Rig aka Not a Wheelchair

Date Published

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:34:48 UTC

July 2, 2020

Summary of current innovation

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:35:06 UTC

The Rig, also called Not a Wheelchair, is a four-wheeler that uses components from electric bicycles to power through all kinds of ground. Fat tires provide traction and they’re attached to a strong frame, via an optional suspension, that looks like it’s made for a small car.

Multiple electric bike batteries can be connected to The Rig to give it an extended range, which can probably be made as high as 100 miles.

Link to video & photos

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:35:26 UTC

https://notawheelchair.com/

Pros

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:35:39 UTC

1. Half the cost of a recreational w/c
2. Can go anywhere off road that is open to general public
3. Can carry w/c on back or a cooler or back or gear.
4. Ability to steer with hands.
5. Increases mobility to places a normal w/c cannot go, enhancing quality of life.
6. Provides independence to those with disabilities.
7. All electronic, no gas needed.
8. Perfect for gentle slopes, flat ground.
9. Fits easily into a truck, van, or SUV.
10. Constructed using bike parts for easy maintenance and can easily find replacement parts from any store which repairs bicycles.
11. Great for those with lower limb paralysis and no cognitive defects.
12. Both steering handles can fold back for easy side entry.
13. Can go up to 12 mph
14. Silent motor which means you can enjoy a more peaceful environment when outside.
15. Can go forward and reverse.

Cons

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:35:44 UTC

1. Because it is not labeled as a medical device might be difficult to obtain an MD order for it and authorization for coverage through insurance carrier.
2. Requires a buddy, disabled person would not be able to do it 100% solo.
3. Has trouble on terrains such as sand (gets stuck).
4. Requires maintenance that any bike would have.
5. Must keep a small repair kit for the bike with you and a tire pump.
6. No water protection for the electronic parts, must stay 100% dry.
7. Requires upper body & hand strength to maneuver.
8. Requires full cognitive & decision making ability to operate.
9. Cannot safely be driven with one arm.
10. At this time cannot do additional accessible modifications.
11. Need a truck, van, or SUV to transport and someone to help lift it out as it weighs 120 - 130 lbs.
12. Weight capacity <225 lbs
13. Must wear a helmet when riding.

Opinion & rationale

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:35:57 UTC

For persons who have lower limb paralysis, regaining mobility and some aspect of personal freedom can revolutionize their world. Despite some of the cons presented, it does provide the most affordable safest option for those with disabilities who wish to get out and explore nature and enhance their quality of life. While this is marketed as not a wheelchair, wheelchairs are the most widespread assistive devices for indoor & urban outdoor mobility of paraplegics & tetraplegics (Antonelli et al., 2019). When a person is determined to increase their mobility, they will go to any lengths possible to accomplish what they want to do. As a nature lover myself, I believe that The Rig, also known as, not a wheelchair, will provide just that and would recommend this to those with lower limb paralysis cognitively able to operate the equivalent of an electronic bike.

Using Strengths

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:36:13 UTC

My top 5 Strengths are:
1. Restorative
2. Responsibility
3. Strategic
4. Input
5. Consistency
My top five strengths are divided between the executing and strategic functions. I thrive on treating everyone the same, am adept at dealing with problems, taking ownership of the situation, planning for the unexpected, identifying risk, and have a mind for detail. All of these will help the team to move forward while tackling issues that arise to deliver a product that provides increased mobility to those with disabilities.

References

mthompson3317 — 2021-09-28 14:36:24 UTC

Antonelli, M.G., Alleva, S., Zobel, P.B., Durante, F., Raparelli, T. (2019). Powered off-road wheelchair for the transportation of tetraplegics along mountain trails. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 14(2), 172-181. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2017.1413431

Not a wheelchair. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. https://notawheelchair.com/faq/

Medgadget (2020, July 2). The Rig lets disabled people go offroading. Medgadet editors. https://www.medgadget.com/2020/07/the-rig-lets-disabled-people-go-offroading.html

Teams

mthompson3317 — 2021-10-05 01:48:46 UTC

1. Cindy - connectedness (relationship building)
2. Emily - empathy (relationship building)
3. William - woo (influencing)
4. Angelica - analytical (strategic thinking)
5. Fernando - focus (executing)

I chose this team with the intention that each will use their strengths to build upon one another. The strengths are divided into four areas; executing, influencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking. My top 5 strengths fall into the executing and strategic categories. I need team members who can offset that in order to foster relationships with each other, develop a plan to present and influence our facility to accept this innovation. Cindy will help our team by looking at the big picture and helping us to keep focused on the main thing. Emily will create trust and bring the empathetic voice that will be crucial in understanding others situations. William is vital because he will be our networker, breaking the ice, and winning over indecisive members who hold decision making authority over our project. Angelica is the brains behind the operations because she will be in charge of the numbers. She has the ability to think through things, is logical and can see all of the factors which might inhibit our success. Fernando is our point person, keeping us on track, helping us to prioritize and take action. The anticipation is that each of us will shine in our strengths and hold each other up in our weaknesses for the greater good of getting our facility to accept this innovation.