Our collective, Positive Spin, has received the request below. I know
there are some members with good fabrication experience on this list.
Has anyone worked on a similar project, have design plans that would fit
these specifications, or advice on how to proceed?
Greetings:
I'm writing to you in hopes that you might be able to literally help me
save my life. Between some bad genetics and acquired injuries I'm
currently not able to walk in any meaningful way. Some little bit during
physical therapy. I've lost significant muscle mass and things are
getting worse.
I'm a tall person 201cm (6'7") before the accident wherein my spine
suffered a compression injury I'm now 196cm (6'5"). This injury also
caused lymphedema in both legs so my weight can vary by hundreds of
pounds from 165kg -320kg (360# -700#). Walking and bicycling helps
control the lymphedema immensely.
I've given much thought to what I need and what I want. A doctor friend
asked me what I was wanting and I'm going to incorporate my response to
him in this letter as I believe it provides a very good idea of what I'm
wanting and a bicycle repair shop would be just the place to make this
happen.
Upfront I'm not currently working I'm on a fixed disability income so I
need to keep costs as low as possible; on the other hand we are talking
about regaining my life versus dying slowly so I'll find a way to meet
the financial requirements to make this happen.
What I want to build: I want to build a walker. Because of my injuries
and loss of muscle mass a traditional walker can't be used and a
wheelchair or powerscooter won't help me walk again or build muscle
mass.
Kind of a side by side bicycle with step through (girls) frame, 4 wheels
(two in front and two rear) but relatively close together (like a
wheelchair it needs to fit through doors). A bench seat is preferred but
if I must use a bicycle seat I'm going to get a Hobson Pro. Either way
the seat will need to be low enough as to be out of the way when walking
but there should a my hip or back fail and I drop. Needs to be high
enough that I can continue to "walk" even while seated. I also want
front and rear brakes as this is WV and we have steep hills. I want some
method of locking the wheels so the walker won't roll about while I'm
mounting or dismounting. Some place to carry my crutches would be great
as would a cargo area (basket, underseat???) and water bottle cage
(couple 2 liter bottles). I'm thinking BMX sized fat tires (idk 16" -
20") so I can go in the grass as well as sidewalks and buildings. I
believe at its widest it should be no more than 32" and likely no longer
than 54", maybe less, as it will also need to fit into elevators and
exam rooms.
That step through frame will need to be narrow to accommodate a normal
leg spread with normal gait and stride (may require a bit of tube
[frame] bending or cutting and welding). It will also need to be quite
strong to accommodate my weight and my falling weight should my hip or
back fail and I take an uncontrolled seat. An alternative to the narrow
central frame might be a frame that I stand between. My illustration
shows both ideas. Speaking from an engineering stand point I've no idea
which would be stronger. To be honest one luxury option I'd like to be
able to put on it would be the ability to turn the seat sideways so I
could cook at a stove or work in my garden or in my workshop.
This walker would immediately release me from the forced captivity in
which I'm trapped. Help me regain muscle mass. Help me recover my
physical health. Do activities I love and miss and it could even get me
back to work.
I most sincerely hope that you are willing and able to help.
Thank you,
