Wheelchair tote

>Hi All,
>I just got the word that I'm going to be living in this
>wheelchair permanently. I need to make a totebag that
> will fit over the handles so that I can carry stuff like my
> accessories for the oxygen tanks etc. It doesn't have to be
> big but I'm sort of in a fog right now about where to start
>designing this thing. Any suggestions or patterns helps?
>Anybody living in a wheelchair and/or on oxygen 24/7 with
>some tips?
>Now, I just have to figure out how to do gardening from a
> wheelchair and I'll be all set for summer!
>Enjoying Spring here in Michigan,
>Morag in Detroit

> Don't know about the bag, Morag, sorry. I would say to try to manage
> with any old bag for a week or two until you really get the feel of what
> you do need the bag to do, to work for you.
> I'm really sorry about the permanent wheelchair, what a shame.
> When I was designing gardens, I did one for someone who was in a
> wheelchair. The whole garden was created with raised beds. They were
> of differing heights, so that it didn't look boring, and there were all
> sorts of things in them - including some vegetables I think. Can't
> quite remember. If you decide to go down that route, be sure you
> instruct the designer/builder to make the paths from something smooth -
> not gravel or slabs (unless they are perfectly laid on concrete) - and
> to be sure to measure your wheelchair and make certain that he allows
> enough path for you to be able to turn corners in one go.
> In the meantime, you could get long-handled fork and hoe, cut the
> handles down to a length that you can use. Those + one of those
> 'grabber' things should enable to do enough to let you feel you are
> working out there.
> .
> >Hi All,
> >I just got the word that I'm going to be living in this
> >wheelchair permanently. I need to make a totebag that
> > will fit over the handles so that I can carry stuff like my
> > accessories for the oxygen tanks etc. It doesn't have to be
> > big but I'm sort of in a fog right now about where to start
> >designing this thing. Any suggestions or patterns helps?
> >Anybody living in a wheelchair and/or on oxygen 24/7 with
> >some tips?
> >Now, I just have to figure out how to do gardening from a
> > wheelchair and I'll be all set for summer!
> >Enjoying Spring here in Michigan,
> >Morag in Detroit
> --
> Best Regards
> pat on the hill- Hide quoted text -
> - Show quoted text -

> Hi All,
> I just got the word that I'm going to be living in this
> wheelchair permanently. I need to make a totebag that
> will fit over the handles so that I can carry stuff like my
> accessories for the oxygen tanks etc. It doesn't have to be
> big but I'm sort of in a fog right now about where to start
> designing this thing. Any suggestions or patterns helps?
> Anybody living in a wheelchair and/or on oxygen 24/7 with
> some tips?
> Now, I just have to figure out how to do gardening from a
> wheelchair and I'll be all set for summer!

>> Hi All,
>> I just got the word that I'm going to be living in this
>> wheelchair permanently. I need to make a totebag that
>> will fit over the handles so that I can carry stuff like my
>> accessories for the oxygen tanks etc. It doesn't have to be
>> big but I'm sort of in a fog right now about where to start
>> designing this thing. Any suggestions or patterns helps?
>> Anybody living in a wheelchair and/or on oxygen 24/7 with
>> some tips?
>> Now, I just have to figure out how to do gardening from a
>> wheelchair and I'll be all set for summer!
> This site has two patterns for wheelchair totes, scroll down to find them
> http://www.epilogsys.com/scoutingweb/Program/Sewing.htm
> The tote bags I've made have simple loop handles that just hang over the
> handles of the chair. I personally think all the tie, button and Velcro on
> the handle suggestions are just a worthless, time consuming bother.
> After you make your tote lay it flat on a table, the back of the tote as
> if it was against the back of your wheelchair, slip your oxygen bottle
> into the tote, press the fabric with your hand so you can see how big a
> "channel" you'll need and give yourself a little easing room so you can
> slip it in and out easily and mark that. Now take out the bottle, pin the
> front and back of the tote and sew a seam up and down in the middle third
> (from top to bottom) on the tote. There ya go, your bottle will stay
> upright and you can use the rest of the tote for whatever.
> Gardening isn't done from a chair, wheeled or otherwise. I do my gardening
> on my butt. Get a pair of sturdy pull on rain pants, they allow you to
> slide easier and give you some protection as you make your way around the
> garden. Grab a nice big old plastic laundry basket, a few trash bags, toss
> those in the laundry basket, a little bucket, toss your tools in that and
> put it in the basket, also load up the basket with any plants, seeds, and
> beverage of your choice. Put a strap on the basket to put the basket on
> your lap and the strap around your neck....think nightclub cigarette
> girl......now you can use both hands to propel that chair and head on out
> to the garden. Take your cell or cordless phone with you....always.
> OK, now you're in your garden, work clockwise, counterclockwise, north to
> south, what ever makes the most sense or none at all depending on your
> passion for gardening. Put the basket down where are going to start
> gardening and just flip yourself out of that chair and onto the ground.
> Make note that no points are given for grace and deportment on this
> particular dismount maneuver however tenacious spirit, determination, and
> creative originality score high. As you scoot, drag or flop along the
> ground in your rain pants pull your basket with you. Tie a corner of the
> trash bag on the basket for weeds and garden waste and now you can weed,
> dig, fluff, dead head,plant and garden to heart's content. Push your
> wheelchair ahead of you, pull the basket behind you......on occasion you
> can make choo choo train sounds if you are so inclined. When you are done
> hike yourself back into your chair, the same dismount point system applies
> to this maneuver as well. Load up your basket and head on back into the
> house. Job well done and your garden looks great. Just remember there's
> always a plan B, C, D......and all the rest of the alphabet.
> Get a fabulous big brimmed hat and wear long sleeves and lots of sun
> block, some medications can make you more sensitive to the sun.
> No bitching, pissing, moaning or whining allowed, kiddo. Just because you
> can't dance doesn't mean you can't RRRRRRRROCK & ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
> Val
>