pushing/pulling carts

[orisson]

The subject of carts came up in another thread, so I have started a new topic.

I am a left leg above-knee amputee.

Does anyone have info/pics/experience/ideas of carts for the Camino please?

Many Thanks, Mark

 

[ivar]

Here is one example of a "pulling" -cart:
http://www.pilgrim-wiki.com/index.php?title=Handcart

This article is written by "corwen", and I think he is also a forum member (same user name I think) if you are interested in getting in touch with him.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[Arn]

Orisson,

You didn't mention they type of prosthetics you're using and that's important. Most athletes have hydraulic knees which are "single axis" knees. There are also some "multi-axis" hydraulic knees out there. These knees are supposed to better mimic the action a god-given leg makes. These knees can also work out real well for the above knee amputee who wants to engage in sports, such as walking/hiking.

I work with athletes with disabilities and have found that most above the knee amputees can manage a 20 lb pack just fine with the right prosthetics.

Here's the reasoning...the weight is balanced over your legs, thus the pressures are similar to normal exertion. If you go with a cart, you're now leaning forward and rather than balancing on your legs...you're pushing into your prosthetic. If you don't have hydraulics, but rather a cup, as the stump rides in the cup it tends to cause friction and added wear that can be quite painful.

Buen Camino,
Arn

 

[sillydoll]

I have got quite a lot of photographs of the paths on my blog. They can be pretty rough on legs, never mind carts!
Having said that, we saw Italian pilgrims with luggage trolleys (like the ones you can buy at airport or luggage shops) tied to their packs. They would use these to pull their packs on flat paths. I think I would rather have two free hands holding onto trekking poles!

This fellow sells a CD/DVD of his camino where he pulled a trolley. And, the other picture is of a cyclist father pulling his baby in a little cart.

 

[MermaidLilli]

I saw 2 different groups walk with a cart attached to the waist. It looks like the little carts you pull on your bike, very lightweight. In one group of 3, one man pulled it with a belt which held the handle of the cart. So his hands were free. All 3 backpacks were in it. This allowed the other 2 to walk freely. They took turns. The other one was a husband and wife with a similar one but very small. Both groups were from Holland. They were marathon walkers, covering long stages every day.
Cool to see.
Lillian

 

[orisson]

Hi and thanks for all the help,

re: prosthesis. Thanks Arn - I have a hydraulic leg. I also might have mentioned that I have soft tissue damage at the top of my stump, from carrying too much weight some years ago, so a cart is going to be the sensible route.

I have found a great organisation called REMAP

http://www.remap.org.uk/

they are going to make a hands-free pulling cart for me so that I can use my walking poles.

Thanks again to you all, I will overcome!

Mark

 

[sillydoll]

Ok course you will! Its called "The triumph of the Human Spirit" (the Sydney Paralympic slogon).
This is my sons favourite T-Shirt badge: