Monthly Archives: March 2014

A Hero’s Passing – Reginald Davis will be missed.

Davis, Reginald L. 66, passed away at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Roxbury on March 21. He will be missed by his wife, Dianna Delph-Davis of Plymouth and children, Allan G. Delph and his wife Debra of Groton, CT, Steven A Delph of Plymouth, Thomas E. Delph and his wife Patricia of Plymouth and Tonya M. Saylor and her husband Kevin of Plymouth. He also leaves 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Reginald was born in Laona, WI. He joined the U.S. Army right out of High School and served during the Vietnam War, after his discharge from the Army he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Reginald worked for the last 11 years at Habilitation Assistance Corp. as a livery driver.

He was a member of the Plymouth VFW and he enjoyed being with his family, bowling, fishing, NASCAR, and cooking.

The VMi New England Team helped Reginald get his wheelchair van using his Veteran benefits. His newfound mobility allowed him access to travel and do the things he loved in and around the Plymouth, MA region. His great humor and comforting smile will be missed; please join us in extending prayers of comfort for his family.

A Gathering of Remembrance will be held at the Richard Davis Funeral Home 619 State Road (Rte 3A) Plymouth, (Manomet) on Friday March 28 form 7:00 to 9:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations in Reginald’s memory may be made to the ALS Foundation for Life, PO Box 96, Natick, MA 01760.

Special Wheelchair Basketball Event at MHS!

Special Wheelchair Basketball Event at MHS!
On Tuesday, March 25th at 6:30pm The Mass Hospital School is having a special night of hoop for a great cause!

The New England Paralyzed Veterans of America NEPVA Celtics (ranked #1 in Division 3 of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association) will play an exhibition wheelchair game against the HealthBridge Management “Dribblers” and coaches from Canton Youth Basketball!

Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children, and all proceeds will benefit NEPVA’s trip to the Nationals in Louisville, KY!  Refreshments and raffles will be available.  Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida is a congenital defect in which part of one or more vertebrae (the bone structure that surrounds the spinal column), fail, to develop completely, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed. It can occur anywhere on the spine but is most common in the lower back. The severity of the condition depends on how much nerve tissue is exposed. Frequently special adaptations on a vehicle are necessary for independent driving. The person with Spina Bifida may also have impairments in the ~areas of vision, perception (how the brain interprets what the eyes see) or learning. Adaptive driving equipment is frequently used for physical problems. A spinner knob and hand controls can be used if a person is unable to use either foot for gas or brake. Specialized modifications can also allow a person to transfer to the driver’s seat or drive from the wheelchair in a van or minivan.

Common factors that can affect safe driving:

  • Limited range of motion and strength
  • Difficulty with coordinated movements
  • Visual impairments (poor acuity)
  • Trouble visually scanning or tracking quickly
  • Learning difficulties
  • Impaired judgment in complex situations
  • Slow processing and reaction time

A driver rehabilitation evaluation will examine the strengths and weaknesses of each individual as related to the driving task. The goal is independent, safe driving. No modifications or vehicle selection should be made until the person has completed a driver evaluation.

If you or those that drive with you notice any of the above warning signs and need a driving evaluation, give us a call at 508-697-6006 and we can, help you with with knowledge about medical conditions, and help with a comprehensive evaluation and determine your ability to drive.

  • Visual Perception
  • Functional Ability
  • Reaction Time
  • Behind-the-wheel evaluation

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is national Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a chance to spread awareness, advocacy and inclusion throughout the community.  All throughout March we celebrate individuals with Developmental Disabilities and make people aware of their abilities and accomplishments.

It’s not about celebrating disabilities; it’s about celebrating abilities.

…………………………………..

In 1987 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed March “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.” The movement of the seventies and early eighties had laid the foundation for significant social change, and the presidential proclamation called upon Americans to provide the “encouragement and opportunities” necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential.

Freedom Mobility – Three Axis Extended and Lower Mobility Seats

3100
wc-truck-3100

The 3100 mobility seat is intended to be installed in pick-up trucks. When activated, the Freedom Seat smoothly rotates, extends, and ascends/descends in-to or out-of the vehicle so you are perfectly positioned on the ground or behind the wheel. It has a weight capacity of 350 lbs as well as multi-access programmability for optimal axis movement.

3200
wc-truck-3200
The 3200 has all the same features of the 3100, except it is designed for a passenger set-up and can be installed in SUV’s, sedans, and minivans.

3300 & 3400
wc-truck-3300-3400
The 3300 & 3400 mobility seats offer you the flexibility to enter from the front passenger position using an after-market seat, or from the mid-row using the original or after-market seat.

Freedom Sciences has a complete line fully-powered articulating mobility seats. After years of meticulous development and research, Freedom Sciences brings to market multiple seating applications for Passenger Vans, Mini-vans, Trucks, and Full-Sized Sedans. Our multi-axis movement allows us to fit our Freedom Seat into tighter applications hence providing more flexibility and span more vehicle applications than was previously available. With the patent pending Freedom Seat base, the end users seating pathway is custom programmed to their specific needs, optimizing every inch in and around the door opening – this maximizing feet and leg room while entering and exiting the vehicle. The Freedom Seat also offers seat products which are driving or passenger applications that exit the vehicles from the second row bay door. This innovative design allows for easy transfer in and out of vehicles by providing greater space outside of the vehicle for larger power chairs, wheelchairs, or scooters.

Retaining the OEM/factory seat should always be explored as it preserves the safety and comfort functions initially designed into the seat. Retaining the OEM/factory seat requires a series of client measurements that your Freedom Seat dealer is trained to perform, and if the OEM/factory seat requires adjustments for final fitting, either your local dealer or Freedom Sciences can provide this service. Alternatively, you can choose from one of our premium, aftermarket seats if the OEM/factory seat can not be used in conjunction with the Freedom articulating seat base. Either way, the Freedom Seat’s state-of-the-art articulating base has no equal in providing superior pathway seat performance, safety, and comfort.

Specifications:
Lifting Capacity: 350 lbs.
Total Seat Extension at 90 degrees Rotation: 50-7/16″
Elevation Travel: 14-3/4″
Vehicle Clearance at 90 degree Rotation: 21-5/16″
Footrest Extension: 0-7″
Seat Maximum Recline: 15 degree
Maximum Seat Rotation: 120 degrees

We specialize in lowered floor minivans and stock the best in the industry. Dodge Chrysler Honda Toyota Chevrolet Silverado Mobility conversions. Select a modified van from our inventory or choose a non-modified van and let our certified technicians modify it for you at our (Quality Assurance Program) QAP service facility.

We were the first NMEDA QAP certified dealer in MA and have been designing, engineering, selling and installing mobility equipment like hand controls, zero effort steering, servo steering, servo gas brake left foot gas pedals and installing them in GM vehicles for close to 25 years.

We don’t just mount hand controls with hose clamps like the other guys, we fabricate custom brackets for each application and take the time necessary for a quality installation that will out last the vehicle.

We offer a lifetime warranty on our installation. If you ever feel there is something wrong with your hand controls (even if we didn’t install them) please come in for a free inspection by a certified mobility craftsman.

We have more money invested in one piece of equipment than most shops have in all there tools combined.

We have individual craftsman with more experience than all the technicians combined at other local mobility dealers, with a better equipped shop and a higher attention to detail I doubt you could get a higher quality Chevrolet installation anywhere in the New England area.

Do you want your hand controls installed by someone who just completed a two hr online course on hand control installation or a certified master craftsman with 25 years of experience?

How Do I Know Which Hand Controls, Left foot gas pedals and or Mobility Driving Equipment is Right for my Chevrolet?
We give you a number of tools that will help you find the perfect GM accessible hand control or left foot gas pedal for in the New England area. We need your help to make us the top seller of hand controls in the Chevrolet New England area, we can provide handcontrol General Motors safety information as well as additional information about extra features of our Chevy mobility products.

All you have to do is think about your ideal Chevrolet hand control, make a list of features, and look to Automotive Innovations for the installation of your General Motors mobility products at Chevrolet Massachusetts Automotive Innovations .We will find the one that fits the custom requirements of your Chevrolet.

Did you know that technological mobility advancements might now allow you to drive your Chevrolet, even if you need to drive with hand controls? If you are interested in this Chevy Mobility technology, or any other specialized GM features, please contact us about you Chevrolet mobility requirements.

Automotive Innovations Bridgewater Massachusetts’s sells and or services brand new, hand controls for your Chevrolet, manufactured by top companies.