Vintage

Disabled Explorers will take a recently disabled veteran over the historic El Camino del Diablo (The Devil's Highway) along the Arizona/Mexico border from January 22 through January 24, 2010. The multi-day trek is the inaugural trip in the organization's Desert Solitude Series which will demonstrate independent overland travel for disabled people.

The amputee watching the wheelchair user.....

Today was the first day for the W.A.V.E. to be out and about and it was right to work. Here in Phoenix we have the Disability Empowerment Center and it is filled with some great non-profits doing great work. This seemed like the perfect place to get some first-hand feedback on our project before we start taking people into the back country.

Getting it all setup at SEMA

The W.A.V.E. makes an impact like a tsunami hitting the SEMA shores. The Wheelchair Accessible Van for Expeditions is drawing crowds and generating tons of interest for the idea of disabled motorized access to the back country. From retailers wanting to learn more about helping the disabled who visit their shops, to manufacturers checking out how we evaluate gear, to media representatives wanting to hear about our efforts offering therapeutic outdoor experiences, there was something for everyone who stopped by the Disabled Explorers booth.

Great people build great rigs!

“Five working days till SEMA? No problem my friend.” Those are the words that settle frazzled nerves when you see a picture that has miles of wires hanging out of your project. I was sent these pictures today by email to let me know how well the project was going.

The guys at Sportsmobile West have been here before and know what they are doing. If they tell me the Wheelchair Accessible Van for Expeditions can be finished in five days, and say it with that kind of smile, then I trust them.

A couple of things to note in the picture above, you can see the Sure Grip hand controls that Nor-Cal Mobility was able to bring over from out previous FJ Cruiser project. Also on the floor you can just see the track for the B&D Independence power driver’s seat base.

Adjustable video window is always ready

Today as I was uninstalling the Total Vision Self Spotting System from the FJ Cruiser so we can transfer it to the new Sportsmobile it struck me as the perfect chance for a long term review. The system has worked perfectly and is so simple that I often use just like any other part of the truck, radio, gps, cruise control. The only feature I haven't made much use of is the ability to record to the laptop hard drive. I am just not a video guy, but if you are, then I am sure YouTube will welcome your under rig shots.

Life from the X-jack's point of view

Nothing can compare to the look on someones face the first time they watch a giant orange marshmallow lift a corner of your rig off the ground. Ok it isn't really a marshmallow, and regardless of how it looks the ARB Bushranger X-Jack will get the job done quickly, safely, and in a variety of terrains.

Photo Credit Dan De Lisle-CB16 Photography Copyright 2009

Ever since our ancestors discovered how to make a campfire, people have wanted to illuminate the darkness and make camp life easier. Of course as the centuries have passed our choices in light sources have gotten cooler, as a matter of fact literally cooler with the ARB LED Adventure Light.

Next year will be even better

We were given tons of space for display

What an amazing event and the first of it’s kind in the USA for many reasons, most important to us was the value the event gave to handicapped person’s ability for backcountry travel. Many events make sure they meet minimum legal requirements for any disabled that might attend. But this event was different in how the disabled were encouraged to travel the world and immerse themselves in other cultures and sights. Every step of the way the organizers where keeping the disabled in mind regarding location, class attendance, after hours events and more.

        I am now Overland Certified so you must obey me in all things expeditionary! Well there is about as much truth to that as when I was a new grad RN and folks thought I had all the answers. Overland Certified for me means more of a foundation or framework from which to build my future expedition adventures.

Getting setup for the recovery

Extreme Outback sends in air support for Disabled Explorers

Now before you start looking for pictures of bombing raids and explosions, that wasn’t the kind of air support I was talking about. Instead I mean onboard air and all the cool things that does for anyone with mobility issues, from ease of airing up tires, to impact wrenches for lug nuts to dusting off gear to pressurizing fuel & water tanks to save lifting them to get the fluids out.

So what do you get when you mix up three amputees into a group of well-experienced overlanders who want to show off the wonders of the outdoors? What happens when you promise a group some fun in the sun, splashing in creek crossings and fire-roasted hot dogs for lunch? Well you get a Disabled Explorers Ride-Along event and it was a blast.

For the price of a couple of lunches a month you can let family know where you are, get help from friends instead of tow charges or call in the helicopters if things really go bad, all with a little orange and black puck called the Spot.

So you have your perfectly wrapped & sealed pocket first aid kit, there is a forest of raw materials around you, there was that CPR class years ago and suddenly none of it matters when you are listening to your buddy moan all night in his tent with stomach cramps or looking at a forearm that seems to have a new bend in it. Who needs air transport? How do you wrap up that arm? These questions and more can be dealt with once you have the voices of Pete & Marc your Wilderness First Responder Instructors firmly planted in your brain.