Wheelchair services

littleacorn

I am wondering if anyone has had issues with their local wheelchair services. In particular the providing of an approprate powerchair which meets their needs. My local wheelchair services have said they dont think they have such a powerchair after me trying out 4 chairs. What will happen next? Even the OT said she didnt know what would happen. Any one experienced anything simular?

janer1967

Hi there 

Sorry I only have manual chair from wheelchair services 

My power chair was given to me from a friend who's wife sadly passed away so no longer needed 

I think you have to meet certain criteria to get one from wheelchair services and they dont have many options 

Have you thought of leasing one from a mobility shop 

littleacorn

I meet the criteria for wheelchair services but the type of wheelchairs they have in their stock dont seem to be suitable to meet my needs. They have already provided me with 4 different ones from their stock but I have had to return them all in the last year as they were no good for one reason or another. Just dont know what will happen now if they cant come up with an appropriate wheelchair. 

newborn

I once heard of a (rich) area where one wheelchair user easily got an expensive EPIOC, perfect for her needs, and provided fast.   And, a billionaire prime minister who nevertheless used the NHS funds  to get a wheelchair for his child, and to have it delivered by helicopter.  But then, there's most of the rest of the country, and the rest of the population.  Best solution is ensure you have plenty of savings before you need a wheelchair (!)  Seriously, do a lot of research, and probably try for second hand, but bear in mind the battery is costly to renew.  Others will give lots of advice

Just to stoke your appetite, look at the widest range.  There are all singing all dancing chairs to lust after.  (We used to call it crip porn!  German mainly There is the equivalent in crutches too, American mainly)  There are/were exhibitions, and it showed stuff you never would have thought of. Standing up wheelchairs, Lying down ones, rise and fall ones.  Ones with tank tracks.  Ones for beaches....

Really, if you think of a wheelchair as substitute legs, you need substitute  change of shoes. Narrow indoor chairs and tyres.  Wide slope wheels for speedy self propel.  Thick tyres and loads of suspension for rough ground.  Firm restraint especially for heads, for lots of people.  Extreme lightweight, such as graphite racing chairs, for others.  A garage-full would be the equivalent of your dancing shoes, your wellies, your flip flops, your diving boots, your dress-up occasions shoes, your slippers, your distance walking shoes.  And yet, people try to manage with a single all purpose chair, and what is more, the N.H.S one, if any.  

littleacorn

@newborn thanks for you input. I have had a powerchair but it is on its last legs and is no longer manufactured. I have already done loads of research and sent many emails to manufacturers to no avail. I have an excellent independent wheelchair provider close to me who have been very helpful many times but cant find a suitable chair. I feel I have had to play the wheelchair service game of try this one 4 times just to prove they are no good. Should I accept a chair that does not meet my needs or leave the problem with them to figure out what to do next?

janer1967

I'm not sure but if wheelchair services cant provide a suitable chair they can issue a voucher you can use at a retailer 

It's something I read on Google I think 

littleacorn

@janer1967 thanks for your reply. My local wheelchair services wont supply vouchers for powerchairs only manual so it would be no good for me. Any other ideas!

janer1967

Sorry only as I said b4 maybe lease one if you can afford to do so 

When I looked it wasnt that expensive 

littleacorn

@janer1967. It goes back to the same problem no one seems to knkw where to find one that meets my needs. My needs  seem to be very specific and not run of fhe mill and off the peg wheelchairs are no good for me. Just feeling trapped!

janer1967

I understand your frustration 

Where did you get your last one from ? 

Is there anywhere that custom makes them 

Maybe contact your local MP not sure they can help 

TraceyFalcon

I know this won't answer the question of finding the right wheelchair for you ....although I would expect OT to be of some use in helping you with that?..... my son crowdfunded for my new powerchair when the old one died. He did really well and now I am mobile again. The wheelchair service told me I would be eligible for a powerchair due to my condition BUT because my house has a step down to my kitchen (I use crutches indoors) that meant that I wasn't eligible... NUTS! Have they not heard of ramps?

littleacorn

@janer1967. Are you asking how was it funded or what company did it come from? It was funded through access to work but I no longer am able to work as my disability is progressive. It was a invacare wheelchair.

littleacorn

@TraceyFalcon. I have heard about crowd funding but not good with computers and would have no idea how to set it up. If I did manage to do this then where would I be able to get the chair that meets my needs. My OT has no idea and she had more knowledge than me.

Did you mention to your local wheelchair services about getting a ramp?

littleacorn

@janer1967. I would love to know if anyone makes custom powerchairs but how do you find out. I knkw my MP would only go directly to wheelchair services to ask the same questions I am asking and get the same answers so probably no good really

TraceyFalcon

2 points... 1 is that the people who I got my new wheelchair from had so many different options that could be added to or adapted on my meyra optimus. The company is Recare and might be worth calling them and explaining your needs. Invacare are such a well known company perhaps there is a second hand one available through gumtree or ebay?
The second point is about crowdfunding, yes you'd need to know your way around a computer but perhaps it would be better if a friend or relative tried to raise the money on your behalf? It was my son who did it for me but I think there is some online info through something like the Spinal Injury Association or perhaps even on here.
And yes, the Spinal Injury Association got in touch with wheelchair services on my behalf but I haven't heard back yet. 
It must be so hard for you not having a powerchair at the moment, I know the 3 months I spent without one were crippling. I hope you are managing to look after yourself.

littleacorn

@TraceyFalcon. I have been looking for quite sometime for a second one on ebay but  no look there. I will look at Recare website and see what they offer. I have just sent off an email to 2 companies who say they do bespoke  chairs but not sure if tthey call bespoke, off the peg chairs,which they alter eg foot rests, back etc. I have crossed my fingers and am hoping not. At this point I think crowd funding may not be a good idea as even if I did raise the money how much  do I put as a target and what chair do I buy. Thanks for the ideas though.

janer1967

I meant who made your last chair rather than funding 

I hope your enquiries get you somewhere 

Could your current chair be refurbished at all 

Sorry I am out of suggestions now too 

Lisatho11987777

@littleacorn I hope you find a solution 

newborn

There is/was a disability site, cannot remember which, but they included a blog from someone who was an ace re-maker.  He sold, but wasn't pushing that aspect.  Instead he advised and had good lists of what to look out for and what to do.  The thing I particularly remember  is he would not dream of anything off the peg.  His own-use chairs were customed to a rolls royce standard, all gleaming chrome and using wheels of one, chassis from another, souped up motor,  personalised suspension, and so on and on.   Now I think of it, it would be great if he is still doing it.   Probably others must be?

littleacorn

@janer1967. I have had it refubished already and as it is 10 uears old you cant het any more parts. 

@newborn it would be great if they were still doing this and could give any suggestions. Anyone know who it was?