windscreen wheels

After Mac’s “shoe wheels” last week his wheelchair wheels spent a day and a half ”naked” – it just didn’t seem right.

So we went in search of a replacement design – no fixed ideas in mind, just keen to see where the hunt would take us.

As it turned out we ended up at an Auto Shop and picked up one of those folding windscreen shades.

They cut up really easily, have heaps of cool patterns to choose from, are waterproof and really, really quick to install.

At only $9 they are pretty cheap too (considering how much time they save).

Mac chose the design – he said he would LOVE the wave and cabin design on his chair.  It is a pretty cool surfer design – his mates particularly like the “wave side”.

Now I have one more thing to keep an eye out for – just in case there is a fabulous design we “need”.

This design reminds me of my Uncles who were teenagers in the 70s and had fancy wheels on their Volkswagen Beetles and Combi vans.

NAIDOC week ’09

NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in July each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  All schools have celebrations and events planned – this year’s theme was Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth.  

Our school had a ‘doing things together’ day planned for the Thursday.  The kids were encouraged to dress in Red/Yellow/Black clothing to represent the colours on the Aboriginal flag.  That bit was easy, black skinny jeans, red raben shoes, yellow’n’red hoodie & a red vest… sorted (although we really should have sent Mac to school upside down in his chair as his colour scheme was the wrong way round for the flag).

However, while Mac’s wheelchair wheel covers are very cool – they represent the SIOUX indian tribe.  It seemed odd to have indigenous north american symbolism on his wheels during NAIDOC week. 

The solution… new temporary wheel covers.  

Dad and Pa were tasked with undertaking the transformation (I was away in Sydney) – they did a great job.  We had found Aboriginal Art wrapping paper which was then cut and covered in clear contact and attached to the wheels.

A huge success – apparently lots of the kids wished “they could have a wheelchair too so they could change the wheels”… ah, funny what you think is desirable when you are a kid.

We have retained the covers for the time being – they do look good.  I am sure I will be told by Mac’s peers when it is time for a change.