My wheelchair is completely unsuitable to my needs

seasidemama

Hello everyone ?
feeling a mix of different emotions right now being accepted into this community. My first “independent use” wheelchair arrived yesterday and it’s so completely unsuitable to my needs ?
Wanting to know how other people coped with/ resolves issues like this. And also just feeling dismal.
Reaching out ??

Liam_Alumni

Hello @seasidemama,

Welcome to Scope's online community! It's great to have you on board.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've been having with your wheelchair. Who provided you with the equipment? Have you spoken to them about the equipment not being suitable?

I've also moved this post into our Disability aids and equipment category so other members of our community can share their experiences and offer advice and support.

seasidemama

Oh thanks so much for doing that @LiamO_Dell
It came from my local NHS provider yesterday. Tbh I haven’t done anything about it yet apart from telling the person who delivered it.
Who should I feed back to?
 I gave myself the day off yesterday just to feel the dismal feelings but I’ll have to gear up and do something about it! 

Jean_OT

Hi @seasidemama

Welcome to the community, sorry to read about the difficulties with your wheelchair.
As soon as you feel able, contact the NHS wheelchair clinic via phone/email and tell them why the chair doesn't meet your needs. Ask for an urgent reassessment, ideally by another member of their team. If necessary escalate the matter via their formal complaints procedure. If you have a helpful GP/OT/Physio they might be willing to write a supporting letter confirming the need for an urgent reassessment.

Good luck and do let us know how you get on.

Best Wishes

Jean
 

seasidemama

Thank you @Jean_Scope
i will give it a go. 

Ami2301

Hi @seasidemama Welcome to the community!

Hope you get the right wheelchair you need!

seasidemama

Thanks @Ami2301 ?

Eye2cu

Good luck getting your wheelchair changed. I've just been in touch with my local wheelchair assessment office this week and hope to get a better chair as my old one is not upto the job and seems to tip backwards on many occasions ! And it's too wide for me and it hurts my shoulders . I'm sure things will improve for you seasidemama when you chat to the best people who can assist you. ?

Heather87

Hi @seasidemama I hope you have better luck than myself. My wheelchair is not fully suitable for me and when I contacted the NHS wheelchair specialists Artificial Limb And Appliance Service, they told me to go back to my GP.