It’s February in New York. If you live anywhere in the northeast, you know that February usually brings a lot of snow. For me, snow is not my friend. It means I have to stay inside because of the cold. Plus, when all that white stuff covers the ground, it can be very challenging to go out and do anything.
How I Clear Snow in My Power Wheelchair
Usually when the snow falls, I have my cousin or friend come over and they plow my driveway out for me. If it’s just an inch or two of snow, I don’t mind taking my power wheelchair and clearing the walkway. Now, obviously I cannot lift up heavy snow and throw it into a big pile. I can, however, take my shovel and put it in front of my wheelchair casters and use my chair as if I had a plow on the front. This way, I can push the snow to make a clear path. This does not work well with ice. When I do this, I usually just clear the pathway out front of the house to the mailbox so I can get my mail. I also like having a clear path in case of an emergency so I can get out.
Staying Safe When Clearing Snow
I always make sure to have a family member or a friend around when I’m pushing snow. That way, if I get stuck due to snow buildup or any kind of slick surface like ice, there is someone to help me. If the snow is too wet or icy, there is nothing I can do except throw some salt down or have my friend or cousin clear the path. If it’s just a light dusting or the snow is powder, I don’t mind using my power wheelchair to clear my driveway.
One of the realities of being a power wheelchair user in the Northeast is when it does snow heavily, you need somebody to plow you out. I’m very thankful that I have a good friend and cousin that plow me out. Make sure that you save some extra cash for this, because during the winter, you’ll likely need to pay somebody to plow your driveway.
About Josh McDermott: Josh is a brand ambassador for Quantum Rehab®. He is a public speaker and has served as a goodwill ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Josh lives in New York and loves to travel. Click here to learn more about Josh.
For more great blogs from our brand ambassadors and Q Roll Models, visit lifeatilevel.com today!
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