Wheelchair advice

Scrapper
Scrapper Community member Posts: 17 Connected
in Everyday life

Hi,

I got a bit of an annoying problem. I need a powered wheelchair but I'm finding it very difficult to find one because of my height. I've looked it up and you need to measure from knee to floor for the seat height. My measurement is only 40cm. The chairs are 50-52cm. Which would mean I can't even reach the footrest. I really don't want my feet dangling.

I'm fed up with trawling the Internet and finding nothing. So I'm hoping somebody knows where it's possible to buy a powered chair for small people.

The kids ones you can buy are very expensive because they have additional features I don't need. Also motability doesn't do one small enough either. I'm not sure what I can do except just accept I can't have one which is a bit depressing.

Thank you.

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Comments

  • kc1978
    kc1978 Community member Posts: 87 Empowering

    Hi.

    The foot rest many should adjust , but how are you for standing and transfers?

    If u need one so you can stand. Have you been to a mobility shop they. Will assess and be able give advice and may have into try?

  • Scrapper
    Scrapper Community member Posts: 17 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/918722#Comment_918722

    Thank you for your reply. I've contacted a few and the footrest on some adjusts but not small enough mostly longer. I live in Cornwall and there's only one shop nearby. I went there and there was nothing suitable. They advised finding some sort of block to stick on the footrest. So I decided to keep looking on the Internet instead in the hopes of finding a smaller one but it's tough to find. Do you think a block fitted on somehow would work OK?

  • orangeapple57
    orangeapple57 Scope Member Posts: 39 Contributor
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/123590/wheelchair-advice

    Heel to inside knee joint I'm 44cm and I use the kharma ergo traveler and find the height just right. Only issue I had was the need to keep it dry. Mines 8 years old now and love the wave seat design. Struggling to find an upgrade. I've been told to ask OT for NHS support.

  • Scrapper
    Scrapper Community member Posts: 17 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/918730#Comment_918730

    Thank you. I will try to find it and have a look.

    I would definitely try for an NHS chair if I was you. They'd provide one the exact right size I would think

  • Weebles1703
    Weebles1703 Community member Posts: 20 Contributor

    I used to have a Invacare paediatric/teenager's powerchair. They don't make it any more but there's this one which is quite basic https://www.invacare.co.uk/power-wheelchairs-mobility-scootersalber/indooroutdoor-wheelchairs/esprit-action-junior-power-wheelchair

  • Ellie18
    Ellie18 Community member Posts: 50 Listener

    hello my fit note runs out on the 31st of this month when do I need to contact my doctor for a new one xx

  • figraspberry41
    figraspberry41 Scope Member Posts: 41 Contributor

    Hi Scrapper,

    I would agree with a previous post, your NHS O.T. should be able to assess your needs and provide you with a chair that is designed for you. Perhaps this is a starting point for you?

    I do sympathise with needing something more of an adult size and design without the younger person's 'gimmicks' etc… I might not have a wheelchair problem but I do have a similar difficulty buying adult shoes for a size 2 - 2- 2 1/2 shoe. I have frequently been sent to the children's section for shoes but it is still a challenge to buy reasonably priced shoes from 'normal' shoe outlets that do not light up, have sparkles or some other 'child' friendly design. So not being able to purchase a wheelchair for similar reasons does seem not 'right'.

    Good luck with finding a chair that fits you and meets your individual needs.

  • Scrapper
    Scrapper Community member Posts: 17 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/918823#Comment_918823

    Hi, thanks for your reply. I'd love to get an NHS one but I've looked into this, I can't get an NHS wheelchair because my home is not accessible. I have a bungalow but lots of steps outside. Can't seem to sell it for a reasonable price. The council said we don't qualify for an adaptations grant from as our income is too high. Same old story I can't get the chair without the works done.

    I also have size 2 feet, I suffer with very cold feet but can't get heated socks small enough. I've had to have every pair of trousers I've ever bought altered but I have just found a pair of rubber gloves that fit so that's a huge victory! 🏆 🤣

  • orangeapple57
    orangeapple57 Scope Member Posts: 39 Contributor
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/918855#Comment_918855

    There's a heated boot you can get and I use both an electric blanket and a foot spa to reheat my feet as mine are a size 3 I took struggle with similar things which is why I curl my feet up under me and get sore knees instead lol. I'm sorry to hear that they won't do anything access grant. If it's any help it took me 8 years to get one and they sent cowboys to do the work and concreted over my dpc. So you might be better of not involving them at all and finding a grant that's not via the council through a local charity to help with your access needs.

  • onebigvoice
    onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 841 Pioneering

    Hi,

    I would say the same, which is to contact your local disability shop, and if the chairs they provide either through Scope or through the disability scheme, is not suitable for needs then they should help you to get adaptions to suit "you"

    The need for tailored needs for powered use and access and regress are based on individual needs, so because they may not have something in the shop that does not suit they will adapt the vehicle under mobility to suit.

    At least ask them what is available and they should help point you in the right direction.

    Hope this helps. Any problems post again and the shop you went to and I will see if I can find a place close to help you.

  • mhuss19
    mhuss19 Scope Member Posts: 5 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/123590/wheelchair-advice

    there’s a company that based in Liverpool who make wheelchairs called Davinci but they are able to go anywhere and everywhere and can make any size . I think you might want to get in touch with them as I have recently ordered a wheelchair from them and I also require a kid size. In terms of pricing yes unfortunately anything related to disabilities or wheelchairs especially electric wheelchairs is always going to be expensive but there are quite a few charities that you could look at applying to for help towards the costing . To name a few elifar foundation, hospital Saturday, children today. You would just have to look into each one to look at the age requirements.

  • figraspberry41
    figraspberry41 Scope Member Posts: 41 Contributor

    Hi Scrapper,

    Just because you live in a bungalow with access issues should not prevent you from being intitled to a NHS wheelchair. It would be an NHS O.T. that (if memory serves me correctly), be able to visit and assess you property for a suitable wheelchair. Having worked in the NHS and whilst I certainly do not know everything but I have not yet met someone who has been denied a wheelchair because of access issues! An O.T. can organise a ramp to be fitted instead of the steps to facilitate wheelchair access and also measure you for a correctly fitting wheelchair to meet your needs. I suggest you try to find how to contact (Social Services, should probably be first port of call), to find out how you can contact an O.T. department and request a formal assessment. Your local (General) Hospital, should also have an O.T. department and wheelchair service that ought to provide you with advise on obtaining the assessments to meet the criterion.

    I know a friend's partner who lives in a single story property that had steps and required wheelchair access, was seen by an O.T. who 'prescribed' the ramp (amongst other equipment and alterations to meet the individual needs for that person).

    I hope you don't quite give up yet! It would really be appalling if the NHS finds an excuse not to provide equipment essential for an individual simply because their property has steps!!

  • JW77
    JW77 Community member Posts: 108 Empowering

    Hi
    If you can get yourself to The Big One (wheelchair/accessabiltiy roadshow) or similar, and try some stuff out.

    Also ask on Awesome Wheelies, on Facebook (possibly other groups)

    It might help with finding a chair that's right for you. You may need to go for grants/crowdfunding to get something decent.

    There's other events that I've just looked up, some might be useful

    https://www.ageukmobility.co.uk/mobility-news/article/mobility-events-calendar

  • orangeapple57
    orangeapple57 Scope Member Posts: 39 Contributor
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/919125#Comment_919125

    Unfortunately it does, been there done that got the t-shirt. Used the OT refusal to be rehomed under gold band urgent medical need because they housed me in a 1 bed bungalow but used 1984 overcrowding laws to classify as a 2 bed! Greed pure greed! Then they complain there's no one bed bungalow to put old people in!

  • Scrapper
    Scrapper Community member Posts: 17 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/919125#Comment_919125

    I contacted the council on a form and they rang me up and said my husband earns too much money to get adaptions done. To be fair there are a lot of steps and we've been quoted thousands for it and it involves removing part of our utility to make room for the long length of ramp needed. We don't qualify for grants either

  • Scrapper
    Scrapper Community member Posts: 17 Connected

    I'm not old enough for an elderly bungalow and we own our own home so don't qualify anyway. Don't get grants either or any financial help with anything like adaptations, prescriptions housing etc. I am unable to work so I do feel it's a bit unfair to judge someone on someone else's income. It's OK for me cuz my husband is supportive but I know people who would have their husband say tough I'm not buying all your mobility stuff earn your own money. What does a person do then!

  • figraspberry41
    figraspberry41 Scope Member Posts: 41 Contributor

    Agreed, it seems very unfair that people are having to spend huge sums of money for equipment because they do not fit the criterion for meeting assessments or funding from benefits or other resources.

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