In my opinion, a cell phone is an absolute NECCESSITY for any active quad. It literally can be a lifesaver if you're stuck somewhere or your chair breaks down. I've told this story before, but I lost a good friend of mine a few years ago when his wheelchair got stuck in gravel in his backyard on a 110 degree Arizona day. If he had a cell phone he'd still be alive today. I resisted cell phones for a long time but can't imagine life without it now. No one probably NEEDS the extra functionality of a smart phone, but once you have one you'll get addicted to it quickly. Besides texting, I check the weather, sports scores, email and even do my banking with my cell phone. Also, cameras are almost obsolete now because these cell phones take such amazing photos. I have a plan through Virgin Mobile that allows unlimited data and 300 mins of calls per month for $25! That's the best deal I found, unless you talk a lot [I prefer texting.] That plan may be more expensive now ($35?), but when I signed up it was $25. As a c5/6 quad I have no finger movement, but I do have decent tenodesis grip and use my thumb to type. I have a phone that has both a regular keypad and a touchscreen. I started out using the keypad but now I prefer the touchscreen and also use the voice dictation a lot. Don. Tempe, AZ
________________________________ From: Danny Hearn <[email protected]> To: Thomas E. Cusack <[email protected]>; Don Price <[email protected]>; quadlist <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 1, 2013 10:47 AM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Cool cell phone gadget for me it's not lol-- i got a dumb phone...in other words a landline only.. years ago my therapist made me a plastic or rubber coated hook that goes over it and straps on by velcro, so I just put my thumb under that to pick it up to talk. (my wife and all other family members all have cell phones though. Dan H.* ________________________________ From: Thomas E. Cusack <[email protected]> To: Don Price <[email protected]>; quadlist <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, March 1, 2013 11:10:38 AM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Cool cell phone gadget im c6/7 42 years and am looking to replace my ancient cell-any ideas? is a smart phone a necessity? i don't need/want all sorts of gadgets my finger function is so-so thanks tom ________________________________ From: Don Price <[email protected]> To: quadlist <[email protected]> Sent: Thu, February 28, 2013 9:32:20 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Cool cell phone gadget I found a pretty neat [and inexpensive] cell phone add-on that I think might help many quads pick up or hold their cell phones easier: it's a little plastic loop, called a ClipHanger, that sticks to the back of your cellphone. The loop allows you to slide your finger/thumb into it to pick up the phone or to hang the phone on a hook. At $5.95 it's a cheap solution if you need it! http://www.cliphanger.com/index.php?p_resource=items_sticks
