It’s been a frustrating series of events for Jim Starr since Christmas, a 35 year old from England. A wheelchair-user since 1999, and a guy who loves the outdoors, Starr received the most amazing gift anyone could receive as a wheelchair-user (a $15,000 gift from a friend no less): An all-terrain wheelchair, a tank track wheelchair operated by a 24 volt motor (battery powered), and it’s a slice of heaven if you use a wheelchair.
It’s heaven because it goes ANYWHERE. Maybe not to the moon, and it certainly doesn’t fly (shame), but it can go over logs, motor you through a murky swamp, and can even take you up and over huge snow piles. Imagine the freedom?
I’ll tell you one thing: My Invacare TDK powerchair can’t do that. My “Harriet” has been great over the years, but it’s a limited machine. As a wheelchair-user should I just accept my limitations and not let them bother me? Isn’t that part of the whole deal when you have a disability? Being ok with what you can’t do anymore and being grateful for simply being alive? I used to think that way, but not anymore. This technology coming out is some amazing stuff.
After receiving his all-terrain wheelchair, Jim took it where he wanted to go most: The beach with his son Leo, to get near the waves without any help, and more importantly, to do so with no fear of getting stuck in the sand (watch this video of his first time trying it on the beach). But now, after taking his chair out in public a few times, local authorities have put a clamp on it, saying he needs a special license since it’s 275lbs and 33cm wide. Basically, it’s not considered an “invalid buggy” (a term they use to determine if a wheelchair is a “wheelchair.” Nice England, nice).
Who’s ethically right and who’s ethically wrong in this situation? Read more about Jim Starr’s dilemma
I really hope American laws are more lax regarding this kind of stuff, because I have my eye on a much cheaper version of Starr‘s all-terrain wheelchair, but just as powerful – the Action Trackchair (it’s only $8,500. Gotta love that). I want to take it to the beach!
Photo courtesy of Jason Taellious
What do you think? Is is cruel that they forbid Jim Starr roam freely in his new wheelchair? Or understandable that his wheelchair is banned from public land?
It’s discrimination and cruel…no one understands people who have to be in wheelchairs until it happens to them.
It’s a load of nonsense and BS. I’m in a wheelchair my friend is in a wheelchair and our wheelchairs are lousy and we’d do anything to have a chair like Jim Starr’s. The authorities are pricks and don’t give a damn.
Mr. Jim Starr fight the authorities and make them all spend a month in a wheelchair without walking to see how it feels not being able to go up steps, on the beach etc.
Our society is so wheelchair and disabled unfriendly it’s pathetic!
Mr. Chien Mai…Hot Springs, AR
hey there! just stumbled upon this article! American laws are MUCH better, the Action Trackchair is allowed on state and city land. so far it is not allowed in the deep back country.
i have asked multiple Montana Fish and Game representitives and have had the ok to go on state land, just take precaution when turning on the grass, take wide turns with tracks.