Mobility Blog

Coming in from the cold; The latest article from Justin Iveson

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:01:00 GMT

Coming in from the cold
Wow, the time is just flying by this year, already to the end of February and I have already flown between Australia and Italy twice!
Our first Rollers camp for the year was a big one with 19 athletes attending, keeping us veterans on our toes as the competition for a spot on the team really heats up. It was great to see the improvement in some of the young guys as well as knuckle down and get the year off to a great start.

Unfortunately I will be missing the next camp due to our European Championship qualifiers in the south of France in March but the following one will be held here in Italy at the Australian Institute of Sport training facility in the north…. It will be good to not have to fly so far for once as well as kick start our campaign with games against Spain before heading to Belgium to play Canada, Italy and Holland, all quality opposition.
On the Italian side of things we have been undefeated so far this year, including a victory over top team Santa Lucia in the Coppa Italia qualifiers. It was a good win considering it was on their home court and our Australian based players had just returned from camp in Canberra. Hopefully, this trend continues as we have a tough finish to the season ahead before we start our run at the finals.
Some of you may have heard of the cold snap we had over here in Europe. Nothing prepared me for seeing the capitals most famous monuments under a white blanket of snow, something I am told has not happened in
over 30 years.
In particular the white Colosseum was a sight to behold.
Hugo also got his first view of the snow and the puzzled look on his face was priceless as we went into the street to see the local kids collecting snowballs and making snowmen, complete with carrots for noses! The unfortunate thing was we were unable to travel on the bus for our game scheduled that weekend so will have to make this up in the near future.
I look forward to keeping you all posted on the multitude of basketball and travel I have in the coming weeks, particularly our Euro Champs qualifier which has us playing 4 games over two days in Toulouse, France as we vie for a spot in the finals, hosted by me ex-team Galatasaray in Istanbul Turkey. Until then I hope you are enjoying the warm weather in sunny Perth!
Cheers,
Justin

Justin updates us with his latest news from Italy and his preparations for this years Paralympics

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:20:00 GMT

Paralympic Year!

Hi there readers, a lot has happened since my last blog and the last two months have absolutely flown by with games, travel, holidays and getting back to work here in Italy.

Firstly, we reached the midway point of the season before Christmas picking up a good win and a narrow loss to finish equal second on the ladder, which in turn has qualified us for the preliminary rounds of the all important Coppa Italia (Italian Cup). It’s never good going home at Christmas time with your last game being a losing one, but there were some positives to take away from it and I think with the New Year and a focused resolve we will only improve in 2012.

I would like to wish everyone out there a Buon Natale e Cappo Danno and hope that your festive season was as great as mine. Hugo’s first Christmas was always going to be a special occasion and once he recovered from the jetlag of returning to Australia he soaked up every minute of attention from Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and the multitude of friends we caught up with while we were back. The two weeks absolutely flew by and while we all wished we could stay at home for just a little bit longer we bundled back out to the airport (it seems like we live there!!!) and headed back to Italia.

Getting back into the habit of training is always a bit difficult, even after a short break, but with the motivation of losing my ‘Christmas cheer’ I got straight back into it and we have since come away with our first win of the year against Torino, far to the country’s north (read a nine hour bus ride that took us straight to the game because we stopped too long for lunch on the way, priorities right!!??).

My next Rollers commitments are in early February for our first training camp of the 2012 Paralympic year, it will be great to see where everyone is at physically in their preparations for London; however I don’t relish the fact we are travelling again so soon! This trip is not all hard work, as we will get to enjoy the extra special occasion of my younger brother getting married in Melbourne, I am proud to say I will be the best man for the event and can’t wait to help him and his fiancée celebrate in style!

I am sure you have all heard of or seen the Segway personal mobility device (for followers of the Aussie cricket team I believe one of the cameramen at the boxing day test fell off one in the field!), well a friend of mine got the opportunity to try one out here in Italy a Segway made for wheelchair users! I kid you not, the machine utilizes the same principals as a standing Segway, just in a seated position, and has enough support that it can be used by anyone that can manually transfer. The kicker is it costs around 10,000 euro and weighs in at a hefty 70 kilos, but the manufacturer suggests it can fit into the back of a Smart car (I will believe that when I see it!) and is designed to run on a sandy beach. I’m not sure when these will reach an Australian market but I can just see a few of these cruising the beaches of Perth very soon!

Stay tuned and enjoy the Perth summer as we shiver through winter here on the other side of the world!

Mobility Scooter with a top speed of 96km/h

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:48:00 GMT

A "PIMPED up" mobility scooter - with a petrol engine and capable of traveling at 60m/h (96km/h) - was seized by council officials in the north of England amid claims its owner was wreaking havoc in the neighbourhood.

The machine was reportedly caused a nuisance to residents after it was driven through a field, scaring wild deer and annoying neighbours, the Yorkshire Post said today.

Doncaster Councillor Cynthia Ransome said the machine, which was seized on Sunday with the help of local police officers, was a "feat of engineering" - but that noisy vehicles annoy residents immensely while terrifying both local wildlife and walkers.

The council released a photograph of the supercharged scooter on its Facebook page.

The 24-year-old owner was able to claim the scooter back after paying a fee and agreeing not to cause a nuisance again, the council told the BBC.

Mobility scooters are commonly used by people who, due to age or disability, have difficulty getting about - but the owner of the seized vehicle was not thought to be disabled.

La Dolce Vita - Justin lands in Italy for a 6 month playing contract that will lead him into London 2012

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:34:00 GMT

Guest blogger Justin Eveson pops into Bluesky to give us all an update on his preparations for London 2012...

La Dolce Vita

Well it has been a little while since my last blog, but this will be the first one from our new home in Rome!

The first thing I want to talk about is our journey here with a 2 month old baby Hugo, over the years I have experienced many flights with the screaming baby up front so I know what it could have been like but we must have had some serious karma up our sleeves as the guy was an absolute little champ on the way over, sleeping for most of the flight and only really waking to have a feed or change, but I think the thing that most impressed me was he equalized the air pressure all by himself on take-off while his mum and dad watched nervously with dummy, bottle and toys at the ready!

Arriving back at Fiumicino airport brought back a lot of memories for me, it has been four years since I played in Italy and even though my Italian was a little rusty we got the basics sorted out pretty quickly: setting up house; re-learning to drive on the other side of the road; Italian SIM card; internet at home and getting reacquainted with my old friend the Diavola pizza (hot salami pizza with olives)!

We then settled into a pretty heavy training regime as the two other Australian players here (Michael and Brad) and I were preparing for the qualifying tournament for the London Paralympics as well as getting straight into the Italian League. Playing for a new team there is always a bit of settling in period but luckily I knew most of the guys already which made the transition a bit easier and this showed on the court as we put four games on the trot into the win column.

Paralympic Qualifiers

It felt like no sooner had we arrived in Italy I had to leave again, which was made much more difficult as I was now heading to South Korea for the next 10 days and I had not been apart from Hugo for more than a weekend before. I can tell you that while Skype is a fantastic thing there is no substitute for a hug from my boy J.

It was great to catch up with the Rollers again though as we embarked upon the next step in our journey towards defending our gold medal in London. The Asia Oceana zone allows two teams to qualify for the Paralympic Games which means four of the six teams there miss out and as expected there was some heated competition for those spots. The Rollers made it through to the tournament undefeated, but the final pool game between Japan and South Korea was an absolute nailbiter with the hometown heroes going down by one point to round out the two London qualifiers.

So with Japan, and most importantly, the Aussie Rollers booking their tickets to London we were on the first plane back to Rome and a family reunion! Look out for my next blog for an insight into Italian life and a round-up of our tough games ahead, ciao ciao!

The unthinkable happens! Justin Eveson

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:01:00 GMT

Guest blogger Justin Eveson pops into Bluesky to give us all an update on his preparations for London 2012...

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Unthinkable…

Well, those of you that read my previous blog will know that the Perth Wheelcats were heading towards the National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) finals full of confidence in bringing back a 6^th consecutive national championship.

How wrong we were.

The Wollongong Roller Hawks also came to the finals with something to prove and prove it they did, by beating us twice over the course of the weekend to take away the championship. Now, I am not one to make excuses and I will certainly not start now, the better prepared team went away deserved winners and in my mind it is now a new challenge for some of our younger players, to take that taste of defeat and to turn it around and create their own dynasty in the future.

This was not the only basketball for me in September. I was also busy preparing for the Rollers selection camp for the team to travel to South Korea in November to qualify for the London Paralympic Games. As part of these preparations I have been doing some ground breaking work with the WA Institute of Sport in utilizing their brand new treadmill that was able to fit my basketball wheelchair on board. Under the guidance of Sacha Fulton we were able to develop a test to measure my fitness level (VO2 Max) from which we can then design a specific program to improve my overall chair speed on the court…. quite exciting really!

At the end of September I headed over to ‘sunny’ Canberra for our selection camp. It was a camp with a difference really as each on court session was a scrimmage session (meaning we played controlled matches against each other)… now this is my kind of camp!

The Australian Institute of Sport really is a world class facility in terms of the sport facilities, recovery centre, gym and of course the food hall, but the best part is certainly our recovery routine, consisting of jumping into 14 degree water for 10 mins after each session (we never enjoy it, however it is an important part of recovering for the next session).

Selection in the team is never a given and I am proud to say I will be once again representing Australia at our next international competition, slipping that green and gold jersey over your head is always a proud moment, and never one I take for granted.

My next challenge comes in the form of our rapidly growing bundle of joy Hugo, as my wife and I prepare to relocate to Rome, Italy in order to best prepare for London 2012. My next blog will tell you about our travels and my return to the European professional wheelchair basketball leagues so stay tuned!

Mission: London Paralympics 2012 - Justin Eveson

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:53:00 GMT

The Bluesky team are proud to introduce our new guest blogger, Paralympic gold medal winning captain of the Australian wheelchair basketball team Justin Eveson. Over the coming months, Justin will be updating us regularly with his team's preparations for the 2012 Paralympics in London.

Best of luck Justin, from the Bluesky team!

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Hi there readers,

As this is my first ever blog, I should start off by giving you some background on who I am and what I do... otherwise this blog will probably not make much sense to you at all!

My name is Justin Eveson, I was born and raised here in the greatest city in the world, Perth, and I am fortunate enough to be involved in the sport of wheelchair basketball. From humble beginnings as a youngster I have managed to ride the sport to the highest level, been a member of the Australian Paralympic Team since 2000, encompassing the last 3 Paralympic Games (with an eye on attending my 4^th next year in London) and played professional wheelchair basketball in a multitude of European countries.

But before we get into the elite level of the sport I wanted to start with something a little closer to my heart, the Western Australian team in the National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL), the Perth Wheelcats.

Over the past 10 years I have come to realise that the Wheelcats are no ordinary team. I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with 6 National Championships, 5 of which occurred consecutively. However, it is not simply Championships that set this team apart.

The thing that makes this team so special is the bond we share from having developed our love of the sport as young kids through the mentorship of one of the greatest men this sport has ever known in Frank Ponta (RIP) and the development program of Wheelchair Sports WA.

This has lead us down the path to success and glory, but more importantly, it has seen us through hard times both on and off the court and has helped develop us into the men (and women) that we now are.

In this series of blogs I would like to share with you my personal experiences, as an athlete with a disability playing wheelchair basketball for state and country, of which hopefully you can relate to while finding my particular brand of humour amusing!

The Perth Wheelcats just ended our 2011 regular season and once again finished as minor premiers, our last games of the season were against the Brisbane Spinning Bullets. While we took care of them comfortably, considering our run of injuries and illness to key players, it was the perfect opportunity for our younger, less experienced players to step up and push for selection into the team that will travel to the finals in September (this year being hosted by the Bullets).

Now while this did not occur unfortunately, I still think it was a timely reminder for the team as a whole that even though we finished the home and away season with only one loss, now is not the time to relax, but to make that final push towards our 6^th consecutive championship.

Upping the ante at training is always challenging but this month I believe I came across my greatest ever challenge, fatherhood. I became a father to my son Hugo Eveson on the 10^th August 2011 and while the lack of sleep, nappy changing and getting peed on (he has remarkable aim!) are not the most fun things in the world, the whole package of bath time, cuddles on my chest and his overall perfectness make this already the best experience of my life. Getting back to the routine of training after we returned home last week has been challenging, but I can think of no greater motivation than making my son proud of me when we look back upon my sporting career together.

I do realise this blog is becoming somewhat of a short novel. Now introductions have been made things will be a little sharper; next month I look forward to chatting about the Perth Wheelcats and the NWBL Finals (which will also double as the first time I am away from the little guy) and my preparations for the Australian Rollers selection camp. We are looking to qualify for the London Paralympic Games which are less than a year away... yes even the reigning Paralympic and World Champions have to qualify!

Until next time

Justin

The 3 biggest mistakes to avoid when buying an adjustable chair

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:17:00 GMT

Everyday I speak with people with 'Buyers Remorse'.

They have gone out to a regular furniture store and bought a chair they thought would help their parents to 'get up and out' easily. There's an easy way to avoid buyers remorse, by steering clear of the 3 biggest mistakes many people make when buying an adjustable chair.

Mistake #1 - Buying a 'one size fits all' adjustable chair
Not long after delivery and showing Mum and Dad how to use it, they somehow find it is just not right. It might be too big and their legs overhang. The seat could be too deep. If it's too small they get crunched up. Plus, if the chair is the wrong size when the lifting mechanism operates, there is a tendency to 'slide out' instead of being gently supported up and out of the chair.

Mistake #2 - Buying an underpowered 'single motor' adjustable chair
Some one-size-fits-all chairs have a lower quality, underpowered single motor. Problems arise in cheaper chairs when the recliner is under heavy load or extended use, making them unsuitable for the variety of positions the elderly (who spend most of their time in these chairs, often sleeping in them
).

Mistake #3 - Incorrect padding
We hear a lot of complaints from customers who have bought chairs elsewhere that there is not enough padding in the right places. Everyone's got a unique body shape, so standard chairs can never be a perfect fit. And we've been told trying to compensate by adding cushions etc only goes so far...and these spare cushions usually end up on the floor.

This is where Bluesky come in.

Making sure your chair is ultra-comfortable, 'fit for purpose' and will go the distance is our highest priority.

Before starting Bluesky Healthcare, George and Damian used to work in a 'one-size-fits-all' retailer. They heard the complaints from unhappy customers and in 2001 they decided to go out on their own - to be specialists in custom-fit adjustable chairs tailored to each customer's individual shape.

As a result, Bluesky Healthcare's lift & recline chairs are individually handcrafted according to your seat size, leg length and the shape of your back with an ergonomic design. They feature a full leg chaise to give you the utmost comfort while in a seated or reclined position, and reliable motors assisting you as you rise to your feet.

Furthermore, Bluesky Healthcare offers numerous recline mechanisms - Wallglider, Tilt In Space and Bed-Chair in four different sizes of frames. In terms of quality, our chairs feature superior WA-made timber frames, ultima foam and are available in your choice of quality fabrics. For maximum safety, our chairs come with thermal overload protection switches.

Made-to-order onsite at our Osborne Park premises, Bluesky Healthcare's lift & recline chairs are stylish, comfortable and reliable chairs will give you the ability to enjoy a mobile and active lifestyle, improving your quality of life and enabling you to live life to the fullest.

With every man and his dog bringing in cheap 'one size fits all' product from overseas, we understand the temptation to get a bargain.

But consider this: after purchasing one of these, would you then have to go out and buy again if it doesn't suit your parent's situation? We encourage you to speak to the specialists first. We've been doing this for over 10 years now and have seen it all. For an absolutely free, no obligation assessment, call me today and I will arrange for one of our consultants to come out to you to demonstrate our superior quality adjustable chairs.

Eugene Soh
Bluesky Customer Service

WA $5000 'Equipment For Living' grant applications open for 2011

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:27:00 GMT

The WA State Government has recently announced $1m in funding for eligible West Australians to receive the Equipment for Living Grant.

The grant (up to $5000) will assist eligible individuals or sponsor organisations on behalf of individuals to purchase mobility equipment including:

Electrically operated adjustable beds to make caring easier for families and unpaid carers
Items that children/individuals are learning to use, and are not available through Community Aids and Equipment (CAEP) scheme due to restrictions regarding only one piece of mobility equipment being funded
Car seats for children and adults and occupant restraint for travelling in vehicles
Light weight inverters to power breathing equipment that fit a wheelchair better than the current larger inverter
Alternative positional items for people with complex needs
Electronic mobility aids for people with vision impairments
Environmental controls
Personal hygiene equipment such as bidets
Assistive communication technology such as telephone adaptations

The grant will be administered through the Independent Living Centre (ILC) of WA.

Submissions for the grant are open from 15th July 2011 to Friday 9th September 2011.

For further information on eligibility please visit the ILC grant information page.

Please note Bluesky Healthcare have no association with the ILC or the Equipment for Living Grant, all enquiries about the grant should be directed to the ILC.

Link of the week - How to Remodel Your Home and Stay as Long as Possible

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:45:00 GMT

Housing For Seniors have produced this guide to living at home for longer, and how to plan future renovations to maximise accessibility in your home into the future.

One thing the article doesn't mention, however, is the ease of which a stairlift can be installed for those who wish to maintain easy access to the 2nd floor of a home, or how a platform lift can assist wheelchair users to move up and down flights of stairs with ease.

Our consultants would be happy to discuss how to plan future renovations to ensure you can stay at home independently - give us a call today!

Follow us on Twitter!

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:10:00 GMT

You can now follow Bluesky on Twitter - where we'll be regularly posting interesting articles and links to mobility related issues! Follow @blueskymobility

Safe scootering

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:26:00 GMT

If you have physical limitations that make it difficult for you to walk long distances, a mobility scooter can open up a whole new world: where you can stay active in your community, enjoy shopping, visiting friends and running errands — all independently.

We want you to enjoy the independence and quality of life a scooter can give you, which is why Bluesky takes your safety very seriously. Unfortunately, scooter accidents do happen — but many are avoidable by making sure you choose the right scooter for your needs and following some simple safety tips.

Is a scooter a safe choice for you?

To safely drive a mobility scooter, you need a combination of good hearing and eyesight (wear glasses if you need to), strength, coordination, balance and concentration. You also need to be alert to drive a scooter, so if you regularly take medicine that makes you drowsy, a scooter may not be a safe choice for you. That's why it's always wise have a check up with your doctor or occupational therapist before buying a scooter. Once you have bought a scooter, continue to have regular check-ups.

What about licensing or registration?
You don't need a motor car license to drive a scooter anywhere in Australia. Each state varies in its requirements for scooter registration. Please check with your state roads authority.

Which scooter?

Thinking about how, where and when you will use your scooter will help you to make the best and safest choice for your needs. For example, a compact scooter that is ideal for indoor use may not have the weight, power or suspension for outdoor use on rough surfaces. Whatever type of terrain you will be covering, Bluesky recommends only 4-wheel scooters for their stability, as 3-wheelers are prone to tipping over. See 'The essential mobility scooter buying guide' to learn more about choosing the best scooter for your needs.

Get some training

Once you have chosen your scooter, it's time to get some training so that you feel confident, can learn some simple safety rules and you are aware of any potential problems spots in your local area — like uneven footpaths or potholes. When you purchase a mobility scooter from Bluesky, we provide complimentary training around your home and neighbourhood at the time of delivery. We won't leave until you are comfortable driving your scooter! And of course, you can call a Bluesky Healthcare consultant at any time if you have more questions.

If you feel you could do with some further training, check with your local council to see if they run any sessions. Your council may even have a local scooter club, which is a great way of meeting new people and discovering new destinations on your scooter.

Follow these simple safety rules
Under Australian road rules, a mobility scooter is treated as a pedestrian — as long as it cannot travel faster than 10 km/h and is used by a person who has difficulty walking or is unable to walk. As a pedestrian, you should ideally drive your scooter on footpaths, shared paths, in parks, in shopping centres and to cross roads at pedestrian crossings. It's best if you can plan your trips using a route where you know there are footpaths. Only use your scooter on the road as a last resort.

When using your scooter, follow these simple rules for everyone's safety:

If you do need to use the road, choose quiet streets rather than busy main roads. You should stick as close as possible to the kerb and try to face oncoming traffic.
Keep an eye out for parked cars, for cars reversing into or pulling out of a parking space and for drivers opening their doors.
Watch out for vehicles coming out of and into driveways and never assume that a driver has seen you.
Use a bicycle flag, lights and reflectors and wear bright clothes to help make you more visible. This is especially important if you need to use your scooter on the road or when there is less daylight. Your scooter must have front and rear lights and indicators if you plan to use it at night.
Never drive your scooter after drinking alcohol. Ask a friend for a lift in their car or catch a taxi instead.
Wear a safety helmet to reduce the risk of head injury.
Only cross the road at pedestrian crossings and always wait for motorists to stop before you start crossing.
Don't overload your scooter with shopping — too much weight can make you more likely to tip over and large parcels may block your view.

Please note that this article is not intended to be used as a legal document. If you require more detailed information about the legal requirements of driving a motorised mobility scooter, please contact your local state roads authority.

The essential mobility scooter buying guide

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:25:00 GMT

After plenty of thinking and talking with family and friends, you've finally decided the time is right for you to invest in a mobility scooter. You're ready to enjoy all the benefits of staying mobile or becoming more mobile.

But you have suddenly entered a whole new world where people are talking about load, terrain, battery capacity and suspension. So where do you start in choosing a scooter that is best for your needs?

Firstly, don't let all the technical talk bamboozle you! Your choice really comes down to where, when, how often and how far you want to use your scooter. For example, if you plan to spend a lot of time going on longer shopping trips, visiting friends and using your scooter to get to picnics, golf and fishing trips, then what you need in a scooter will be quite different from someone who plans to mainly use their scooter in their home and local shopping centre and for zipping to the post box or local deli.

Here are some of the questions to think about and how their answers might affect your scooter choice:

Indoors, outdoors or a combination?

Where you want to ride your scooter is one of the most important factors to consider because it impacts on many of the features you will need.

If you mainly want to use your scooter within your home and shopping centres, then its size, turning circle and ease of manoeuvring will be top priorities. A compact 4-wheel model might be the best choice for you. You will probably enjoy the smoother ride that comes with pneumatic tyres (rubber tyres filled with compressed air).

For outdoor travel that includes varied terrain such as uneven footpaths, gravel, grassed areas and some hills, then a larger 4-wheel model will provide more power and stability and solid tyres will help you to avoid punctures. You will also want your scooter to have suspension to safely cope with uneven terrain and provide you with a smoother, more comfortable ride. These larger models are generally not suitable for use in places where there are crowds or many obstacles.

If you expect you will spend an equal amount of time using your scooter indoors and out, your Bluesky consultant can advise you on a scooter that will give you the best of both worlds.

If you are still driving or have friends and family to drive you, you may mainly want to use your scooter once you arrive at your destination. That's when it's really handy to have a light scooter that folds up quickly and easily into the car boot. There are plenty of lightweight models that fit the bill.

How fast and how far?

You can't get too carried away here, because scooter drivers do need to stick to a maximum speed of 10 km/h on foot paths, shared paths and roads. But if you need to navigate steep hills or travel longer distances, then you will generally want a more powerful scooter that can reach higher speeds.

If you are planning longer trips, you'll want a scooter with a larger batter capacity, so be sure to ask how many kilometres you will get out of each battery charge and how long the battery will take to fully charge. You'll also appreciate size, suspension and extra seat comfort when travelling longer distances.

If you will mainly be taking shorter trips down to the local deli or milk bar and to visit neighbours, you may be happy with a model with a lower maximum speed and a shorter battery life.

Night-time use?
If you plan to be out and about on your scooter any time after the street lights go on, then the scooter must have front and rear lights and indicators.

If you feel you could do with some further training, check with your local council to see if they run any sessions. Your council may even have a local scooter club, which is a great way of meeting new people and discovering new destinations on your scooter.

How heavy?
What kind of weight will your scooter need to carry? This is known as the scooter's 'load capacity'. If you are a larger person, you will need a more robust, heavy-duty model.

Features for comfort and convenience?
What other features would you like on your scooter for comfort and convenience? The more time you spend using your scooter, the more important these extras usually become. Options that offer you greater comfort and ease of getting on and off your scooter include:

Swivel seat
Lift-up arm rests
Digital controls
Adjustable head rest and seat depth
Back angle adjustment

Warranty, servicing and insurance
Bluesky Healthcare offers a standard 12-month warranty which extends up to 5 years if your scooter receives annual servicing from Bluesky. The annual service keeps your scooter in top operating condition and helps to 'nip any problems in the bud'.

Your scooter can be dropped at Bluesky for free servicing or a technician can come to your home to service your scooter for a $99 callout fee. Remember to insure your scooter against theft and accidental damage. Check with your household insurer or contact your local automobile insurance club for a quote.

What's the next step?
After spending some time thinking about when, where and how you want to use your scooter, the next step is talking to a Bluesky Healthcare consultant. Our trained consultants take the time to talk with you to assess your needs and help you work out exactly which mobility scooter will be best suited to you. Bluesky's fully equipped mobile showrooms can bring any Bluesky mobility product to your home for a relaxed and obligation-free consultation, demonstration and trial — all at no charge.

Related articles:
Once you've decided to buy a mobility scooter, it's time to learn how to drive it safely and avoid accidents. Read more about safe scootering here.

Overcoming the loss of mobility: Justin Eveson's story

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:23:00 GMT

Like many Australian boys, Justin Eveson grew up living and breathing sport and dreamt of one day playing basketball for Australia.

Then, in 1993 at the age of 12, Justin was involved in an accident with a lawn aerating machine. His right leg was amputated below the knee. But instead of quashing his dreams, the traumatic experience gave Justin the resolve to overcome any obstacles thrown in his way. Staying active was initially an important part of Justin's rehabilitation. Over time, Justin's natural talent and perseverance lead him to competitive swimming and wheelchair basketball.

Today, Justin is the main man in Australia's wheelchair basketball team, the Rollers, who he led to a Silver medal in the Athens Paralympics and to the pinnacle of Gold in Beijing. Justin is currently preparing for the 2012 London Paralympics, plays for the Perth Wheelcats and works fulltime as Membership and Participation Officer for Wheelchair Sports WA.

In-between this hectic schedule, Justin caught up with Bluesky to describe how courage and determination can lead you wherever you want to go in life — regardless of your age or any physical limitations.

Bluesky: What are some of the barriers that you have needed to overcome as a result of losing your leg?

Justin: The main barrier was people telling me I couldn’t do something just because I had a disability. This never sat very well with me (and still doesn’t). In high school, sports teachers would tell me that I couldn’t participate in the athletics carnival as I was on crutches. I ended up running the 400 metre race on crutches just to prove I could do it — although I came dead last! I also entered the high jump which I did without crutches — basically hopping up to the bar and hopping over it. I actually won that event!

I understand now that it wasn't really the teachers' fault for trying to exclude me. It was more to do with their lack of education and understanding. I now devote a lot of time to community education about disability awareness issues, particularly in my role as an ambassador for the Disability Services Commission ‘Count Me In’ program.

Is there a favourite story that you like to share with people about how you have overcome a specific setback in your life?

I do enjoy telling people about when I was first learning to walk again once I was fitted for my first prosthesis (which was very primitive when compared to today’s standards). I worked with Steve Smith, a highly regarded ‘guru’ in the fitness industry and we basically used to walk around the old East Perth footy oval, slowly at first, building up from a ¼ lap to a ½ lap. Every time that I dropped my shoulder and limped, he made me do 20 push-ups. I quickly learnt not to limp and now walk very well with a prosthesis!

Staying motivated and continually reaching for new goals is a challenge for everyone. How do you keep yourself motivated and constantly aiming higher?

There are always new goals and new challenges after you reach any pinnacle you have set yourself. I don’t think there is a ceiling to the level of performance I can give and this is what motivates me to keep striving: to be better the next time than I was the last time.

What words of encouragement would you give to a young person who suddenly has to deal with a loss of mobility?

That there are always challenges in life and you always have a choice in how you deal with them: you can get down on yourself and only see the negative side, or you can pick yourself up and keep going the best you can with a positive attitude. It's how you resolve to react and deal with challenges that define you as a person, and that resolve will help you to be successful in business, sport and family life.

It's also important to realise that you are not alone and there are many organisations that can provide financial, personal and moral support. For me, Wheelchair Sports WA has been instrumental in giving me the opportunity to get involved in sport and to reach the elite level.

What words of encouragement would you give to an older person who is struggling with being less mobile than they once were?

I think it is often more difficult for an older person to come to terms with a loss of mobility as they are more accustomed to their lifestyle and often have trouble adjusting and accepting assistance from others. I can only say that your twilight years are no reason to stop striving to live life to the fullest, to be active in the community and to enjoy yourself with family and friends.

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Below are some interesting further videos about Justin's story and career.

Getting the most out of life with arthritis

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:26:00 GMT

If you are one of the 3.85 million Australians living with arthritis, you'll be eager to find some simple, practical ideas to help relieve your pain, keep you mobile and make daily activities easier so you can live your best life.

Keep moving.
It's a fact: regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for arthritis.

Being physically active can help to reduce the pain in your muscles and joints, strengthen muscles and bones and increase your flexibility.

Being active can also help you to sleep better, feel less tired and to lift your mood.

As extra bonuses, staying active is a good excuse to get out and about, meet new people and maintain a healthy weight. So which exercise is best?

Warm water exercises are soothing for stiff joints and sore muscles. Why not call your local swimming centre to find out about classes?
Regular walking with a 2 or 4-legged friend is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air.
Chair-based exercise classes help to increase your strength and balance and are a good option if you are less mobile.
Tai Chi is a gentle exercise that involves smooth, flowing movements that can help to reduce pain and stiffness and increase your feelings of well-being.

Get in touch with your local community centre or Arthritis WA / Arthritis SA office to find chair-based or Tai chi classes close to you.

Remember to chat to your doctor or physiotherapist before starting a new exercise program. A physio can also help you with exercises suited to your needs and health.

Pace yourself and rest when you need to.

Life isn't a race! When you have arthritis, it's important to work out the balance between work, activity and rest that works for you:

Break larger tasks like cooking dinner down into smaller steps and rest in-between each step.

It's often helpful to lower your expectations of yourself. Enjoying your daily exercise and spending time with your family is far more important than a spotless house!

Plan activities that need more effort so they are spread evenly through your day and week.
Sometimes it can be tempting to do many things in one day: you are already out of the house for a doctor's appointment and to have your haircut, so you decide to add in some grocery shopping and pay some bills at the post office. It seems like a great plan at the time, but the next day you are too tired and sore to get off the couch! It can often be more time-efficient to schedule only one or two main activities each day.

Make life easier with helpful aids and equipment.
If there is a task you find difficult because of arthritis, there is a high chance that someone has invented a gadget to help protect your joints by reducing the effort needed.

There are tools to help you in the kitchen, like cutlery and cooking utensils with easy-grip handles that take the pressure off your joints. There are even electric or battery-operated vegetable peelers!

Jar openers and tap turners help to reduce the twisting pressure on finger and wrist joints.

Long-handled shoe horns can make the task of putting shoes on much easier, and long-handled sponges are a great help in the shower.

Contact your local Independent Living Centre or occupational therapist to find out more.

Perhaps you need a new interest or challenge in your life?
Spend some time thinking about hobbies that you have always dreamt of trying and find a class near you. It could be anything you fancy — from an exotic cooking class or ballroom dancing to croquet, Tai chi, a book club, flower arranging or picture framing. If you lose any concept of time when you are involved in your new hobby, you know you've chosen the right thing.

Enjoy a good night's sleep.
Everyone feels better after a restful night's sleep. Unfortunately, the pain of arthritis can make it more difficult to sleep well — and when you are more tired, it can lower your threshold to pain, creating a vicious cycle.

One of the keys to a good night's sleep is the right bed with a supportive mattress. Find out more about sleeping well and choosing the best bed for your needs in our upcoming blog on 'Top tips for a good night's sleep' (coming soon!).

Have some fun!
Losing yourself in a good book, spending time with friends, singing, dancing or seeing a funny movie are all fabulous ways to put some fun back into your life and distract yourself from pain and worry.

If you are no longer confident about driving or have difficulty walking more than short distances, it may be time to consider a mobility scooter to help you get out and about to spend time with friends, enjoy new activities and maintain your independence. Our customers constantly tell us that buying a mobility scooter has been the single best decision they have made to help them live an independent life to the fullest.