Monday, December 20, 2010

Someone sent me this picture in an email with some other pictures, and the caption was, 'This is why America is fat.' @Todd sent me the story behind the picture and it's actually pretty amazing. While technology makes me crazy some days, this is one of those examples of how it's making a huge difference in someone's life. I'm not going to link to the actual article because there's some language in it I'm not comfortable linking a government site to, but here's the overview: the woman in the picture is named Melissa. She's a 15-year cancer survivor. She lost her left leg to the illness and started using the Segway as an assistive device because it's both maneuverable and because she has difficulty walking, especially on hilly areas. It also allows her to be in the standing position and look people in the eyes during conversations, and be mobile in ways that wheelchairs are not. So there's your uplifting story for the day. Way to overcome Melissa.

5 comments:

Todd S. said...

Judge Not...
http://jalopnik.com/5602814/i-am-very-sorry-segway-stroller-lady

SRTC Staff said...

Huh- once you know the story behind the picture, it's actually pretty impressive. It's amazing how new technology is helping people in ways you never would have thought.

Anonymous said...

Oh geez. Now I feel bad for laughing at this photo. Way to go segway stroller lady!

SRTC Staff said...

Join the crowd Anonymous. My first reaction was also that it's funny. And you know me, I'll go for the cheap laughs every time. My bad.

Rachel said...

Someone needs to make her an extension on her stroller's handle. It may be easier on her legs, but it doesn't look so great on her back!


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SRTC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Spokane County. Urbanized areas with populations exceeding 50,000 people are required to have an MPO. SRTC was formed to address the county's transportation planning needs. It provides coordination in planning between the public, cities, small towns, the county, the state, transit providers, and tribes.

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