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| Segway helps people with physical limitations get around |
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print story|email storylast updated: 7/6/2004
Segway helps people with physical limitations get aroundJuly 8, 2004 ¡ª A new mode of transportation is the Segway. It is not just a scooter. It's a human transporter that is giving many people with physical limitations more options for mobility.
The Segway takes up as much room as a person walking. And unlike a wheelchair, the Segway allows riders to have eye contact while moving. The lives of a west suburban couple's life have changed because of this.
Last November, 33-year-old Paula Hickey got a Segway.
"I was born with a congenital heart condition actually that was transposition of the great vessels so basically it was sort of backwards. Have had a couple of surgeries but it only been partially corrected," said Paula.
Just eight years ago, she found walking even short distances was difficult. She decided to use a wheelchair.
"When I got married actually when my husband and I were like we need to go places we need to do things, realizing that I'm going to need to be in a wheelchair," said Paula.
Paula's husband Sean encouraged her to try a Segway.
"It was the fact that it seemed like you didn't have to have any coordination at all, which sometimes she doesn't have a lot of coordination and when it was self-balancing that really gave me the idea that this could be probably something that she could use," said Sean.
Since getting her Segway, everything for Paula has changed.
"We've gone to the auto show and that was a fabulous experience. I got to see every car, I got to stand up tall and talk to people eye to eye and that's something you don't really get to do when you're in a wheelchair," said Paula.
"The funny thing is I don't have a bike cuz we've always. I've just felt like that would be something that we could do together and so I'm probably going to get a bike and she can Segway next to me and I could ride the bike," said Sean.
"The hardest thing for me is to make sure that I don't, you know, hurt anybody else, I don't hurt myself and that people don't feel that it's an intrusion for them. I just want people to see if, like anything else, like oh that's OK that's how she walks," said Paula.
Paula says her Segway cost around $4,000. She has insurance to protect herself and others.
For more information visit www.segway.com.
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