Electric wheelchair

[Guest]

Hello
I have been waiting over four months for an assessment for a electric wheelchair and I getting frustrated at not going outside and around the village. So I went on eBay and got a road mobility scooter for £250 I am now enjoying the sunshine and the freedom of movement. Hopefully my electric wheelchair will come soon and I can pass my scooter to someone who can use it.

[Terry]

Great that it's so good for you to be able to get out and about Chrisp;

Yes I done the same thing and bought two scooters from ebay, one little one to go in boot and another one to use on roads around home. What make and model have you got?

Four months waiting for a wheelchair assessment is much to long, contact Mary the wheelchair specialist in the Mnda, she might be able to apply some pressure on them.

Scooters are much better out and about than wheelchairs generally, if you can hold your body and walk short distances.

Love Terry

[AndyB]

I bought myself a scooter last summer, cost me about £800. I received my powerchair about 3 months ago. The powerchair is great for around the house (though I prefer to walk with crutches at the moment) though outside I find the scooter easier to drive.

Andy

[Newbie17]

Please can anyone with an Invacare salsa mini power chair give me some advice?
I have only had it two days and used it from the car to indoors and all was fine. This morning I braved the weather and ventured round to a friends. Well, my three-year-old granddaughter could have walked quicker I was going at a snail's pace. And then it started to rain!

While out I googled and tried to find how to increase the speed. I have three levels D1, two and three . All I can think of is that a limit has been set , D1is clearly the slowest The D3 isn't much quicker. I assumed I would be whizzing around on level 3. I have a touchscreen controller that seems to toggle between the Drive setting and the seat settings.

I've contacted wheelchair services but everyone seems to have bunked off early today.
I know it sounds stupid but I can't find anywhere in the manual about how to adjust the speed. Feeling so frustrated .
Also I can't get my legs under the dining room table so the chair is going back next week for the seat lowering .

[Guest]

That's sweet of your offer Chris.
I wish my hubby wanted to venture outside, I really miss going out with him.

We've not been offered a electric wheelchair, we've got a manual one. It still smells brand new as we've only used it twice for hospital appointments.
Btw, my son is a ChrisP

[Newbie17]

All sorted thank goodness!
Watch out everyone!

[Terry]

Good to hear that you've sorted it Newbie;

Some chairs have speeds on the screen in the different levels.

Getting chairs under tables can be a problem if they are too low or the table legs are in the way.

Lowering the seat might mess up your back and leg positions, I have been out and put books under the table legs so I could get under.

Love Terry

[Annb]

My Salsa Mini electric wheelchair was delivered last week. There must be more than one version because mine has 5 speed levels and it's very easy to increase and decrease the speed. It also has buttons to enable the seat to rise and fall and to use the Lift in Space device which allows me to lie back and relax when I am tired. I'm finding it very comfortable and very easy to use indoors, as It's so narrow so I can get through doorways easily. It can do a complete circle on the spot! I haven't ventured outside with it yet, but will do so next week when I have gained more confidence and if the weather remains dry. I can already see it is going to enable me to remain independent for a while longer.

[Annb]

Twinkle - Have you asked about your husband having an electric chair? I think you are entitled to one if you have MND. I would give the Wheelchair Service a ring or ask your OT to refer you, as I was. As they do take a longtime to arrive you need to set things in motion well in advance. The only drawback is that they are too heavy to go in a normal car, so you still need the manual chair. Ann

[Ellie]

Great you're finding the chair useful Ann - the tilt function is good too for redistributing your weight.

Sometimes chairs are pre-programmed with a maximum speed (which can be changed) or chairs don't go as fast if its seat is raised or in tilt mode.

Love Ellie.

[Guest]

Hopefully my wife's electric wheel care will be here at the end of November, it will be about 2 months waiting by then, we bought a wav second hand, whether that was the right thing I don't know, the way our luck has gone.

[Terry]

Hi David;

Can you hire or borrow a wheelchair to help out till then? Possibly the heart foundation might have one.

I have always bought second hand WAV's, I think it works out cheaper but it's horses for courses.

Luck does change.

Love Terry

[Terry]

Hi Helen;

You can get glass holders for them or one off of a car or push bike. Don't know about a wine glass though, you might have to use a larger straight glass. I use a flexible small bag, hooked over so it sits just rear of my controller.

If you have problems with swelling feet you might be able to get leg lifters that raise your feet up near straight. If that is the case then get referred back to wheelchair services.

You can get Unbrella holders for bike and push chair that would probably fit on with a bit of help:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Golf-Umbrella-Holder-Stand-For-Buggy-Cart-Baby-Pram-Wheelchair-Bike-Type/382731879938?hash=item591c990602:g:sAMAAOSwdIFXxUR-:rk:2:pf:0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-Bicycle-Bike-Umbrella-Wheelchair-Stand-Base-Holder-Bracket-Tool/173501995048?hash=item2865865828:m:mrywXpatWnP3KLyPhpYopMg:rk:6:pf:0

There are many tablet and phone holders for tables or cars that might suite, one important thing is to not make you wheelchair any wider, if you do make sure it can be moved in or is flexible like my bag.

Love Terry

[Kayleigh]

Hi Helen,

Love your idea about accessorising your powerchair with a few practical essentials. I thought I would google some ideas, as I have realised that mine is seriously lacking some much needed practical add-ons (and I always feel better after a bit of retail therapy!).

Terry has already posted some great ideas, and here are some other possibilities (not sure if all of them would work on powerchairs as well as wheelchairs, but hopefully some might be suitable for yours).

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/wheelchairs/wheelchair-accessories/wheelchair-umbrella-view-large?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0vLG7Ynx3wIV0BXTCh1FlAsQEAQYAiABEgJqWPD_BwE

https://www.healthandcare.co.uk/wheelchair-accessories-full/vitility-wheelchair-and-stroller-umbrellasunshade.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs8Tnp4rx3wIV5jLTCh11zAUvEAQYBCABEgKpG_D_BwE

https://www.mobilitysmart.cc/wheelchair-cup-holder.html?fee=2&fep=17005&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsIX07ovx3wIVAijTCh3xmwanEAQYASABEgJkvvD_BwE

https://www.careco.co.uk/item-p-wc06099/careco-phone-and-valuables-holder-security-bag/

https://www.careco.co.uk/item-p-wc06137/popem-pannier-bag/

https://www.careco.co.uk/item-p-wc10046/foldalite-pro-smart-phone-holder/

And last but not least - I can't resist ordering these because they look so cosy, maybe even to use when sitting indoors. Us girls would have to make sure our nail varnish is thoroughly dry before using them though!

https://www.careco.co.uk/item-p-wc06115/comfi-fleece-hand-muff/

Happy shopping,

Love
Kayleigh x

[Newbie17]

Wow! I feel really stupid now, all those gadgets out there that I should have known about. Hopefully they will work with my chair.

I just love the hand muff!

Thanks guys x