Went to Universal Studios today. Several close calls, but didn’t hit anyone. I always thought people hated people on scooters but not wheelchairs. Wrong. People cut in front of you and cut you off the same.
Using the three point hold isn’t working for me. I think I’ll try cupping the joystick between my thumb and forefinger. I’ll try that tomorrow. How do you hold your joystick. I’ve watched two different dealers each stating both ways.
If you or anyone can give me tips on how to hold the joystick for better control, I’m ALL EARS (pun intended).
PS. I have had so many compliments on my Pink Chariot.
The RA is taking a toll on my hands now, so I have a tendency to hold my joystick "weird" LOL
Using my right hand as an example. I turn my wrist and hand to lay alongside the "outside" of entire joystick unit, and bring my forefinger around the base of the joystick. Then my thumb kind of goes up the side of the joystick that is closest to me.
When I drive, I basically point my thumb where I want to go. I'm sure it sounds weird as all get-out, but it works for me! I try to make my turning motions as smooth as possible. Think of your thumb like your foot on the gas pedal - you can go any speed, just by how hard you press the "pedal"! For me, I can turn more accurately as well.
Remember - we tend to drive in the direction we are *looking* at - so be sure to try and look where you WANT to go!
Make sure that you don't have your speed maxed out - I have found that the sweet spot for me is between 50% and 75% of full power. Most of the chairs I have tried are very sensitive at full power, and that can result in over-steering. And of course, when you stop moving the device, it stops instantly because that's the electromechanical braking that kicks in. So, getting used to slowing gently to a stop is an art all of it's own!
Anymore, regardless of the device I am driving I am just so cautious, especially at WDW. There are so many folks who are preoccupied with their phones, or who are just not paying any attention at all (and we won't talk about the self-important fools, because that's a whole 'nother thing in and of itself). Our family builds a "bubble", where we try to make a large space around us (usually by adjusting our speed) and my bipedals try to help me watch for "bubble breakers". One way to help minimize those is to put a family member front, back and left sides (if possible) and then I try to roll along the right side of the "street" or sidewalk. That helps me because I can focus my attention at who/what is headed my way from one side, instead of all 4.
Hope those tips make sense! Have another great day!