Mobility has traditionally been the greatest obstacle for people with a physical disability. The days of being limited to an electric wheelchair have come to an end. A British company has been working to develop a motorcycle for people with physical disabilities, and the results are nothing short of outstanding.

The manufacturer, Martin Conquest Ltd., has developed a motorcycle that is designed to driven from the rider’s wheelchair. Alan Martin, the creator of the aptly named Conquest, spent a number of years in research and development of this amazing motorcycle. He came up with the idea after his young son became physically disabled following an accident.

The Conquest is based upon the BMW 850cc or 1150cc motorcycles, and has an integrated aluminum shell that is reminiscent of a racing car. It was developed with the kind assistance of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability, and the Manchester Business School. The manufacturers have recently begun negotiations with Motability, a company that provides lease vehicles for people with a disability.

The Conquest has been available in Britain since August of 2005, and the company hopes to sell at least 100 motorcycles this year. The motorcycle is priced at approximately 18000.00

Share This

Have you got the rainy day blues? Cabin fever? Stuck in a rut, or just looking for some affordable outlets for your tots, toddlers and perhaps their older siblings? Would you like some ideas on producing some unique, economical toys and amusements for your progeny? Ideas for new, different and creative toys can come from virtually every corner of the house. You may just need a healthy “how to” push in the right direction. Try these ideas for recycling common household items for starters.

Soda Bottle Trucks

As rain pounded into the black sands of the Pacific coast fishing village where I was passing my vacation, I noticed the downpour never stopped the kids. What I also noticed was their ingeniously crafted toy trucks fabricated from water or soda bottles. Each boy ran along rivulets of water pulling a sand-loaded truck. Converting the plastic bottle into a truck was childishly simple. Four bottle caps served as wheels. Two axles were formed from two three and a half inch long pieces of coat hanger wire. The wires were run through the sides of the bottle and through a plastic bottle cap on each side. The ends of the wire were bent up to hold the bottle cap wheels on. A portion of the other side of the bottle was cut away to create a cargo bay. String was tied around the bottle neck. Load up the cargo bay with sand, rocks, marbles, small figures, screws, nuts and bolts, whatever - and the truck was ready to go.

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Empty metal, cardboard or plastic containers make great noise maker toys for the tots. Round containers from cereals, powdered or dry, granulated and some liquid products work well especially if they have re-sealable tops. You can partially fill them with gravel, marbles, clean sand, seeds, dried beans, rice, etc. to create different sound effects. Be sure to super glue or otherwise permanently seal the assembly to keep inquisitive toddlers from opening and potentially swallowing the contents. They’re washable too, so they can be easily washed or cleaned. Your imagination is the only limit to what you can come up with.

Flying High

An all-time favorite toy with children and adults alike, kites have been around for more than 4000 years since their invention in China. Originally made from paper and bamboo, kite-making materials now run the gamut from the original paper and bamboo to nylon, cloth, plastics, and even metal foils. Not strictly for kids, Benjamin Franklin flew a kite into scientific history. Fifth century BCE Greek scientist Archytas of Tarentum is credited with introducing kite-flying into Europe. Here are some reference web sites to get you up, up, and away:

http://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html Have ever wanted to build a kite? Well, here is a simple kite you can make your self!

http://www.ehow.com/how_1288_make-kite.html How to make a kite. While kites are inexpensive to buy, making one adds to the fun. You’ll be especially proud when your diamond-shaped creation takes to the sky.

http://www.aloha.net/~bigwind/20kidskites.html These are the complete time tested instructions to get kids making their own kites and flying them in 20 minutes.

http://www.planemath.com/activities/flykite/kiteplans.html Here are more simple kite plans to help get you and your kids started

http://scsc.essortment.com/howtobuilda_rlrf.htm Kites are fun for young and old alike. You can build your own kite, or help your kids build one by reading this article!

Airport Central

It’s hardly much of a jump from kites to planes. Inexpensive and easy to produce, flyable planes can be made from paper, plastic or Balsa wood available at hobby shops, building and craft supply stores and hardware stores. Just like kites, they’re intriguing, tons of fun and a snap to make. Flying them can be a bit trickier, but who cares? Time sure flies when you’re having fun! Try these web sites for a quick take off:

http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/paper.htm This page lists some of the best Web sites on how to make and fly paper airplanes.

http://paperplane.org/ Ken Blackburn, web site to share what he knows about paper airplanes. He holds the Guinness record for time aloft for paper airplanes.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/exploring/paper/airplanes.html T he most amazing thing about a paper airplane is that all you need to make one is
a sheet of papernothing more.

www.paperairplanes.co.uk/ Alex’s paper airplanes
Cobra Paper Airplane The Planes - This is an index listing all the paper airplanes
currently on the site ranked by how easy they are to make

So there, you have some ideas on producing some unique, economical toys and amusements for your tots, toddlers and their older siblings. Ideas for new, different and modified versions of your creations will flow from virtually every corner of the house. Who knows, you might even develop something saleable. The toy conglomerates are always looking for the next super fad item.

Larry M. Lynch is a writer and photographer specializing in business, travel, food and education-related writing in South America. His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News and Brazil magazines in print and online. He travels researching articles throughout Latin America and teaches at a university in Cali, Colombia. To read more, express a comment or get original, exclusive articles and content for your newsletter, blog or website, contact the author at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Share This

Travelers and those who are living in another country are bound to experience a little homesickness from time to time. Plus every one experiences at least one major case of homesickness just about the time the culture shock gets to be too much for him or her.

It’s natural to miss your family and friends, even the culture that you grew up in when experiencing new places. Sometimes it’s a slow build to missing people other times travelers who thought they were completely acclimated will develop a sudden rash of homesickness. Symptoms are, missing one’s family and friends, the desire to seek out any other person or symbol from your country, loneliness, mild depression, an unwillingness to deal with the surrounding culture and maybe even a refusal to leave one’s room.

Some simple treatments you can use when this ailment develops are; making that costly phone call, sending emails to all of your friends and family, or if you don’t have access to the computer, writing a couple of long letters in which you pour out all of your frustrations and misery. You can decide at a later time if you wish to send them or an amended version. Also take a little time to yourself and don’t feel guilty about it. Treat yourself to some of your favorite treats like chocolate and pizza; even if you have to make it yourself so it’s just like those from home.

You should also take lots of pictures of loved ones with you to help offset homesickness. If you have an album filled with pictures you can look at friends and family whenever you want and you can also show off your loved ones to locals which should help you to make friends in foreign places.

Whatever you do, don’t force yourself to over do it in an effort to avoid homesickness. You can get out into the local culture and try to enjoy yourself. Develop an appreciation for the new experiences you are gaining and know that you won’t always be away from home.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.

Share This