Sherri_Ly's Blog

I had the joy of meeting a great group of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans today.  A group called Segs4Vets is providing Segways to disabled veterans from these wars.  The group is giving 30 away here in the DC area.  We met up with these vets today as they were learning to use their Segways.  It's a great idea if you think about it.  Most of these men and women have lost one or both legs.  They have prosthetics but most will tell you walking for long periods of time on prosthetics is tiring and difficult.  The Segways allow them to be much more mobile and to go longer distances.  They can keep up with their kids at the park, the zoo, accompany someone on walks etc...   One of the other more subtle things the Segways allow these military service members is to be on the same level as other people.  Although unintentional, many say people look at you in a wheelchair and feel sorry for you.  They don't have the same reaction if you're on a Segway because they are eye to eye with you.

What I found most fascinating however is the courage and strength of all these veterans.  They were joking-- sometimes about at their own injuries-- encouraging each other and they had a determination not to let their injuries stop them from living life to the fullest.  I'm not so sure in the face of something like that, that I could be so upbeat.  I have to say they deserve our Thanks for their service and I think they also deserve anything that will make their lives easier.  One thing that should change.. is the insurance companies.  They need to pay for these Segways.  They'll pay for a wheelchair but not a Segway.  The Segways allow these disabled vets to stand on their feet, keeping their muscles working unlike a wheelchair.

If you want to learn more about this group their website is segs4vets.org.  I say BRAVO for what they're doing.  They've given out 150 Segways and hope to give out 190 more this year, but sadly there are thousands more who could use one.