Musings from Toronto and the Chantix experiment

It has been a while. I just realised that there are some reactions to my postings. However, I do not know how to get back to them without an email address. I am geting quite dependent on the power chair. I use it extensively outside the house. Since I do not have a car and have stopped using public transport, the chair has become my main means of transport. I thank the city planners for making Toronto fairly accessible.

One thing I must report is my failed attempt at using Chantix for my ataxia symptoms. I have been reading some reports about the drug helping symptoms. So I got a prescription from my doctor and tried it. Unfortunately, it had a very adverse effect on me. I felt quite unwell with a complete lack of balance. So I stopped after 2 days. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

More about the Chair

Well, I have had the chair for a couple of months now. Must say it is easy to get used to. The only fear is that the little use of normal walking will now be given up. I am sure things will gradually deteriorate from disuse. I had a flat tire last week and had to wait 2 days while it was getting fixed. Now I have requested for hard wheels, the kind that will not puncture. Let us see how that goes.

Started Using the Power Chair

Well, I have taken one more step to being officially disabled. You may prefer to say “differently abled”, but that’s just playing with words. I have taken on a power chair on trial basis. If it works out, I will buy it next month.

It is called Quantum and is made by Pride Mobility. It is small sized but heavy at 400 lbs. The battery is supposed to have a range of 30-40 kms and it has a speed of about 10 kmph. Faster than abled persons can walk – ha ha!

I have been using it to get to my workplace, which has an automatic door. From October, we are moving to an older building which does not have automatic doors. So that may prove to be a problem. I shall update on that situation as it unfolds. As of now, the power chair is proving to be a boon.

Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) Toronto is coming to assess me

I have been thinking of getting some kind of mobility device. I am not able to decide among the various brands that are available. I went a few times to the mobility aaid shop. One time, I went to a physiotherapist. Based on theur advice, I have contacted CCAC who have promised to send one of their people to assess my needs. Let us see how it goes.

Stem Cells for COPD in the Dominican Republic

One more video from CNN - as usual, half hopeful, half hoax-ful.

Stem Cells for BATTENS DISEASE

Saw this video of a famiy that has travelled to China for doing the stem cell treatment for their kid. The mother is quite hopeful sounding but the CNN people were quite discouraging.
Here is the link:

May in Toronto

There has been a slow deterioration of muscular co-ordinaion over the last months. I guess it is in the nature of ataxia to keep getting worse. So far I have been walking about with a cane, but the balance is becoming more and more of an issue. I guess I have to move to the next stage of using a wheelchair or some kind of mobile chair. I am still researching.