I use the NHS manual wheelchair. Would an Active User Wheelchair be better?

Wheezy

Hi!

I have the manual wheelchair issued by the NHS. I got it a couple of days ago and it's not bad. 

I use crutches around the house and the chair when I'm out and about. I find that the chair is quite big, and a little heavy. I was thinking about an active user wheelchair, but they are so expensive, so I'd have to save.

Do you think an active user wheelchair would be better? I'm 34 and want to get a bit of independence back! 

janer1967

Hi 

I have a lightweight chair I purchased myself don't think it's active though 

An electric chair is better outside but if you can 0ropel yourself manual cam be OK 

You can get power units fir manual chairs but nhs wouldn't allow you to change a chair they have supplied so I'm not sure how the power units are fitted etc 

Have a look at careco they have good range got mine from them it arrived 2 days after ordering 

lauauren

Hi! I have an active wheelchair that I use for long day trips mainly. I chose the Ki Mobility Tsunami as it is one of the more 'affordable' (if you can call it that!) mid range rigid active wheelchairs on the market and being that it's my first one and I don't use it all the time, I didn't want to pay for top spec without needing it. I've found it brilliant for my needs; I previously had an NHS wheelchair but found it too heavy to self propel and like you, I wanted my independence. An active wheelchair is certainly more compact and neater than an NHS wheelchair. If you can self propel then it's also lighter and more ergonomically designed for faster, easier, and more enjoyable movement. I purposely chose the backrest on mine to sit lower down my back so it's not designed for long term pushing (although I do have flip up/down push handles on mine) but even when I am being pushed, my partner says it's lighter and easier to move than a 'regular' wheelchair. I hope that helps!

Wheezy

Hi @lauauren,

That is REALLY helpful, thanks! 

I spoke to my OT about getting an active user wheelchair but since I am not completely wheelchair-dependent, I don't qualify through the NHS. Note, I am totally OK with that and this isn't a rant about the NHS!

I use the NHS manual wheelchair that I was given and although I can manage OK, I'm finding it really hard work and getting it into and out of the car is difficult. Sure, I can take someone with me to help, but I want to be able to go about my life without having to have someone with me all the time.

If I can ask, does your OT (if you have one!) know you have purchased the active user wheelchair? Is it frowned upon to try and purchase your own mobility aids? 

Thank you so much! 

lauauren

Hey @Wheezy

I don't have an OT so I don't have any experience in that area. I trusted the wheelchair providers I went with and that fitted the chair for me but they aren't clinicians so if you have access to an OT, that's probably best! I do find that because the seat is slightly tilted down towards the back (so your bottom is closer to the ground than your knees) to give you the 'active' posture, this can sometimes give me a back ache so I think if you have an OT, you should definitely use their expertise.

I've not experienced it being frowned upon by any of my own clinicians but I have seen anecdotally that agencies e.g. PIP or blue badge may take a wheelchair into account more if it's prescribed. As I said though, I've not experienced that myself so wouldn't like to say for sure. I'm sure if that was the case, backing from your OT, even if you self funded the chair would be beneficial.

Feel free to drop me a message if I can be of any more help! Best of luck with your search!