Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hi Venson:

Ironic you would ask.  Today at Mass, a handicapped friend [50-ish] couldn't make it all the way through to the end and asked me to drive him home.  Middle of the consecration.  I offered to take him to the hospital but he declined.  Had a dachsund at home that he was worried about.  He uses a walker and his entire right side of the body is paralyzed [from a recent stroke] including his arm which is unusable.  As I assisted him into his ground level apartment, I spied a HOOVER EmPower upright in the middle of the living room.  We talked for awhile, I made sure he had someone to look in on him later in the day, and he had food to eat, and I took off for another Church with a later daily Mass where I was able to receive Holy Communion.  [I'm in the midst of the Divine Promise Devotion and today is day 26]

He doesn't know about my vacuum background and we didn't talk about it.  We know each other from the Knights.  In fact, the Churches I attended today for Mass and Communion are not my parish Church.  We will probably see/talk again on Saturday.  in the near future, when the opportunity presents itself we'll get about vacuums.  Like you, I'm curious to learn from him his likes and dislikes about today's state of vacuums for users with physical challenges. 

Carmine D.

I have nothing to  add about the vacuum of choice for this gentleman, but I want to say that it proves what I have always known.  You are a kind and caring individual and will be rewarded for your generous nature.

Please if you see this man again, if you feel comfortable to enquire.  Suggest to him Meals on Wheels, or help him contact the local Area Agency on Aging.  702-486-3545.  They can help him get connected with services to make his life a little easier, including but not limited ot Homemaker services where someone can help him with the vacuuming chores, laundry and preparing meals.

You are a good man, thank you for being my bright spot today.

Thanks for the information, advice and for the kind words.  Just happened to be in the right place at the right time.  Nothing special for me.  Joe is the man!

My Wife and I were discussing Joe's situation and brainstorming about assistance and resources available to him.  Your posts are right on time and helpful.  Meals-on-wheels is a wonderful aid for shut-ins.  My local Church parish provides this resource.  I mentioned too on another thread that my local Church's Outreach Ministry uses a EUREKA Smart Vac upright to tidy up for Church members/non-members in need of such assistance.  Joe is not eligible for my Church's resources unfortunately because he lives too far away from my home parish [about 15 miles].  But the Church he attends and I attended yesterday may have such resources available.  It's on my list to ask/find out.  As a Knight of Columbus, with a Council connected to Joe's Church, the Council's brother Knights keep watch on him [in a low key manner].  Hence, my friendship with Joe, who I, again as chance would have it, recruited into the Church's Knights' Council over a year ago.

Joe has a 19 year old daughter who lives nearby.  They are not on the best of terms now and never have been.  He has been disabled most of her life [a result of a very bad car accident for which Joe has had about 8-10 operations over the years].   Also, Joe's neighbor quickly came by when she saw us arrive.  She, it turns out, was walking with the the Mom and Dad of Joe's dachsund: Izzie, short for Isabella.  Izzie is 2 years old.  Just a pup.  So that's the dog connection and also Joe's concerned and caring neighbor.

BTW, HOOVER Empower was rated a "recommended" by a Summer 2008 edition of Better Homes and Gardens for persons with small quarters and lack of storage.  Joe's place meets the bill.  Small.  Almost like a place to flop for the apartment manager with just the bear necessities.   Tho, I suspect the EmPower which has been around since 2003 is probably about 3 years old [or more], Joe's tenure in this apartment. 

Carmine D.