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To the editor:
When I recently arrived at an event at a local venue I was surprised to see an ambulance at the back door.
It seems that someone's walker "snapped" and left the owner with an injury. Thankfully, the person looked reasonably good but not walking.
I hope it is a precautionary visit to the hospital.
Later I looked at the walker. A strong looking plastic part had indeed "snapped" – fractured. It was probably a defective part, but it may have been caused by other loose parts that allowed some "wiggle" to overstress the part. That reminded me of another story about a walker.
Some elderly friends came over for dinner just a couple months ago. Knowing that I am "a mister fixit", she complained that her left brake wasn’t working holding. I took it out to the garage to make some adjustments like adjustments on a bike with hand brakes. The cables stretch and the brake pads wear or mis-align. It's a common issue and walkers alike. I was surprised to find there were several loose connections and other adjustments required to make the walker safe again.
If you have a walker or mobility device or know of someone, periodically ask about it and check it out. Get it in for a tuneup! Don't put it off.
If you have a new device, it is particularly critical to pay attention to anything that doesn't see quite right. The assembler can under-tighten a screw, there could be a defective part and, brake cables stretch when new. Certainly, the place you bought your device should be responsible for maintenance, but I wonder if a bike shop would be a great place for walker maintenance as well.
Ted Schaefer
Fairmont