Another quick update for everyone.....
I will be driving out to Fresno from Phoenix next week to spend a couple of days at the SMB West factory, taking pics, helping to install a few things and generally hugging all the folks there who are working so hard on this project. Ok well maybe having a 1 leggeg guy hobble over to hug you isn't the best motivator but I will shake hands and say thanks alot
Still trying to work out something for racing style seats to give more upper body support, looking for tires, checking out solar panel options, crossing my fingers on a wheelchair lift sponsor (that puppy is $8000!), and a few more details. As always I am open to thoughts and suggestions from everyone.
Here is some of the best news so far, with the permission of these guys I will be offering up by passenger seat to a disabled veteran in November for a Baja Mexico trip.
One cool thing about Overland Training is that they don't just leave you hanging after your training is over. Graham has put together this Alumni Trip for 6 days down into Baja. I asked if I could use my passenger seat in the new WAVE (remember Wheelchair Accessible Van for Expeditions) to give some newly disabled veteran a chance to experience the independance of backcountry travel is such a self contained rig. Well Graham agreed so now I am reaching out to Wounded Warrior for their help in selecting applicants for the trips.
SEMA will be fun and it is an important venue for the sponsors, but this Baja trip is the entire reason for building the rig and getting someone in it and maybe even behind the wheel will make all the overtime I am putting in at the hospital worth every minute.
Another bit of news is that these guys like what we are doing:
You wouldn't think that oil, filters or fluids would be of special importance to the disabled community, but when you factor in how difficult to impossible a hike to help would be for someone in using crutches or in a wheelchair, well then it is easy to understand why quality fluids and filters can make a huge difference.
I am grateful to Amsoil for joining the project with one of their remote dual filter setups and all the fluids we need for this rig. Not only will oil changes be easier for me to do, but the extra filter will ensure that even with all our time spent in the harsh desert southwest the engine will keep ticking along smoothly.
Watch for more pics next week of the actual rig, my attempt to be more helpful than in the way and more news as the countdown continues to SEMA...ouch only 35 working days to go!
