Life on Wheels: For the Active Wheelchair User (Paperback)

by Gary Karp (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For over 1.5 million Americans, life includes a wheelchair for mobility. Although the causes for being in a chair and personal circumstances vary widely, chair users have shared concerns. Life on Wheels: For the Active Wheelchair User is for people who want to take charge of their own life experience. Author Gary Karp, ergonomics consultant and long-time chair user, describes:

Medical issues (paralysis, circulation, rehab experience, choosing the optimal wheelchair, scientific progress toward a cure) Day-to-day living (keeping fit, skin care, bowel and bladder care, sexuality, home access, maintaining a wheelchair, wheeling technique, insurance) Psychological and social issues (self-image, adjustment to life change, friends, family, asking for and being helped, cultural attitudes, history of disability, and activism)

About the Author
When he was 18, in 1973, Gary fell out of a tree, breaking his spine in mid-back and becoming paraplegic. After his accident, Gary went on to college, graduated, and worked in the computer graphics field. In that field, he started a desktop services division, and conducted training and presentations. In 1992, Gary developed a repetitive strain injury. After recovering, he began his own ergonomics consulting business, Onsight Technology, which offers training and individual workstation consultation to range of clients in the San Francisco Bay Area. Outside work, Gary has been performing music -- guitar, piano and singing -- in local cafes and coffeehouses since he was a teenager and has recorded an album of original guitar music. In 1988 a friend introduced him to juggling, and Gary has been hooked ever since. He enjoys the juggling community, the necessity of making mistakes, pushing the envelope of what you are able to do, the Zen experience of staying in the moment, and juggling with others in passing patterns. He has also produced, performed and emceed at fundraisers and competitions. Gary's first book, Choosing a Wheelchair, was published in the summer of 1998. In his writing, Gary is interested in helping people educate themselves and adapt so that they can have the best quality of life possible.

Product Details

• Paperback: 549 pages
• Publisher: Patient Centered Guides; 1 edition (July 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565922530
• ISBN-13: 978-1565922532
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #913,831 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, highly informative and insightful, November 16, 1999

By A Customer

A very pragmatic approach to "life on wheels", provides an insider's viewpoint with large amount of facts, references and helpful hints. Great book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, January 28, 2004

By	V Glover "vglover6" (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews

I found this book helpful even though I am quite a few years into my spinal cord injury. I think this book should be given out to the newly disabled so that they can see how full their lives still are. I know mine is...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for new and older wheelers, May 16, 2006

By	Jessie Gray (Elma, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is an excellent book for anyone who uses a wheelchair. It has tons of medical information, how to choose the perfect wheelchair, and even stuff on building relationships. I highly recommend it to any wheeler, new or old!