First Impressions

It's been about two to three weeks since I got my hybrid stroller/walker/wheel chair (4N1). While I thought I would not want to be seen in Stuy Town on a wheelchair, I didn't give it a thought when the time came. I wanted to test the hybrid model, period. So, after a couple of days of using the joystick on the model downstairs, next the laundry room, I was ready. As I wanted to open the building doors by myself, saying a thank you to whomever wanted to hold the door open for me, I went outside. 

40 pounds is 40 pounds. The model is light but not that light, and so there is a bit of make-believe that it can be easily picked up, despite those commercials.... One can "travel" on it, but in the chair, one feels the bumps or lines. So one has to relax and know that will occur..... Battery life. I was not aware, with a capital "A," that a battery does not have a long distance. Mine, at best, has ten miles. Chinatown where I want to go, is about 4 miles away. But that measurement is on a straight road with no bumps, lines, curbs, and people where one must stop and go to not hit them. I figure I could get to Chinatown on one battery, but on the way back I would need another one. A battery costs about $250. So I would need another battery.... It's getting cold, sometimes very cold. This is knew, of course, but I have to travel on my hybrid in weather that is at least mid-40 and above. 

I have to wait for a complete test in warmer weather. Meanwhile, I can learn the ins-and-outs of this model. For instance, I recently forgot to negate the brakes, so I used up more battery life than necessary. The Oval here is about a .2 miles long, so going around it would take 5 Oval turns. There are other issues. I ordered a large backpack for the wheelchair, and we shall see if that works. Also, I have to learn that this hybrid will turn into a regular stroller if I want. I can't think of it as just a wheelchair that will do all the work for me. It is meant, even in those commercials, to be walked. 40 pounds of it.

So, it is still a wait and see. But things are being learned, which is a major plus.