active vs electric wheelchair vs power add-on

theo_bees

hi, I'm Theo I'm 18 and I am hoping to go to uni next year.

I use a wheelchair due to chronic pain and fatigue and walking difficulties. However I currently just have a standard off the shelf one, and I am looking to buy a better one custom for me so that it is the right size and comfortable for everyday use at uni.

I experience dislocations/subluxations of my shoulders which can happen when I am self-propelling, I think this is mainly because mine is too big and heavy and hard to push. I can also experience pain and weakness in my arms which impacts me when pushing for more than a few minutes, especially outside on rougher terrains. And I have a tremor which is on and off but can making pushing my chair harder when it is bad.

I would preferably like to have an active self-propelling chair if possible however I am aware that an electric chair is also a possibility (however they are more expensive and less transportable so it wouldn't be my first choice). I just wondered if anyone here has similar symptoms to me and could offer any advice on whether they think an active or electric chair would be best, or if anyone has experience with power add-ons as that is something I am considering too, so that if i bought an active chair I could potentially get a power add-on for it for some extra help.

Thank you so much to anyone taking the time to read this!

Albus_Scope

Hey there @theo_bees how are you on this fine Friday?

I  noticed no one had replied here, so I just wanted to check in and see how your search was going?  Also by commenting I'll give your post a little bump, so hopefully more people will see it.

chiarieds

Hi Theo - there are some good add-ons, but they're expensive! Some ideas, & thoughts here: https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/stories/how-to-decide-which-wheelchair-is-right-for-you

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/stories/how-much-is-an-electric-wheelchair-and-where-can-i-get-one-your-questions-answered

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/stories/5-must-have-add-ons-for-your-wheelchair   especially the Albur E-motion & the Permobil

theo_bees

Albus_Scope said:

Hey there @theo_bees how are you on this fine Friday?

I  noticed no one had replied here, so I just wanted to check in and see how your search was going?  Also by commenting I'll give your post a little bump, so hopefully more people will see it.

Hi thank you for this. It is going well thank you, I've been to a mobility shop and picked out and ordered a quickie active chair and I'm saving up my PIP money to eventualy buy an add on for it too

theo_bees

chiarieds said:

Hi Theo - there are some good add-ons, but they're expensive! Some ideas, & thoughts here: https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/stories/how-to-decide-which-wheelchair-is-right-for-you

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/stories/how-much-is-an-electric-wheelchair-and-where-can-i-get-one-your-questions-answered

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/stories/5-must-have-add-ons-for-your-wheelchair   especially the Albur E-motion & the Permobil

Awesome thank you!

honestjon

theo_bees said:

hi, I'm Theo I'm 18 and I am hoping to go to uni next year.

I use a wheelchair due to chronic pain and fatigue and walking difficulties. However I currently just have a standard off the shelf one, and I am looking to buy a better one custom for me so that it is the right size and comfortable for everyday use at uni.

I experience dislocations/subluxations of my shoulders which can happen when I am self-propelling, I think this is mainly because mine is too big and heavy and hard to push. I can also experience pain and weakness in my arms which impacts me when pushing for more than a few minutes, especially outside on rougher terrains. And I have a tremor which is on and off but can making pushing my chair harder when it is bad.

I would preferably like to have an active self-propelling chair if possible however I am aware that an electric chair is also a possibility (however they are more expensive and less transportable so it wouldn't be my first choice). I just wondered if anyone here has similar symptoms to me and could offer any advice on whether they think an active or electric chair would be best, or if anyone has experience with power add-ons as that is something I am considering too, so that if i bought an active chair I could potentially get a power add-on for it for some extra help.

Thank you so much to anyone taking the time to read this!

Hi I would highly recommend going for electric because of your situation.
I understand the issues about transporting though because they are heavy to lift.
Is there any way you could have an electric wheelchair that stays at the university? I'm not sure if this would help you but it might be an option if you have mobility issues in the university?