Wheelchair matters

[nunhead_man]

Good evening,

Just dropping back in after a rather busy time as we finally get our house sorted out.

I'm just at the stage where my walking is becoming wobbly enough to warrant wheelchair referral.

The local wheelchair service has provided me with a manual wheelchair which we found a little difficult on a test run due to the small size of its wheels which led to us almost bending the location points of the front wheels when going down a curb into the gutter and out again

Do the panel have any recommendations for a manual wheelchair that might be more robust for what seemed to be almost unending uneven pavements?

[denise]

I'm thinking the same thing. Broken pavements. Uneven kerbs. Caterpillar wheels might do it. It's a nightmare out there and that was just a walk to local shop. 🤤

[Daniel Fudge-Harman]

I had a G Logic one which had bike tires on. I needed something a little more robust for watching my son play football on a Sunday afternoon.https://glebehealthcare.co.uk/produc...29230779891814

[Ellie]

Sorry to hear you’re needing wheels Andy.

The problem with a ‘transit wheelchair’ is that, regardless of what the marketing blurb says, they're not designed for long-term use or full-on outdoor use. The are lightweight by design - they are always pushed by someone, so their selling points are weight and manoeuvrability, hence the lightweight frame and wheels, which are ideal in hospitals and shopping centres, not so much on anything more challenging than a super smooth footpath. Some chairs have stronger frames and more robust wheels, but I don’t know if these more expensive chairs are normally supplied.

The ‘self-propelled’ chairs, many of which come with push handles, are more robust being designed for full-time use, but they are heavier chairs so may not be a practical or pleasant option for the person pushing - these chairs have the big rear wheels, like the one posted above, I don’t know if the user can self-propel or is pushed.

In the absence of a supplied powerchair and, taking your hand function into account, have you looked at any second hand powerchairs or small mobility scooters? xx

[PeterPan]

I’m at the ‘wobbly and slow’ stage. The local wheelchair service in Hertfordshire recently provided me with an Invacare TDX SP2 power wheelchair with attendant control, and rise and tilt functions. It’s extremely comfortable for use inside and out, is totally liberating, and has changed my life already. They also gave me an Invacare manual wheelchair as backup. It’s ok, but would be impossible for my wife Sue to push on broken pavements and up damaged kerbs. We haven’t even tried.

Could you use a power wheelchair? Various control systems are available. If so, has your local wheelchair service offered one? If not, I would definitely ask why they haven’t. One thing that really annoys me is the variable provision people experience which seems to be randomly based on geography.

[richard]

Hi Andy. I have a G-Logic manual chair which I bought. It’s good and light. Hertfordshire wheelchair service provided me with a very heavy manual one which there was no way my wife could put in the car. They also gave me the all singing Invacare TDX SP2 power wheelchair which I cannot use in my house! I can though use it in a drive from wheelchair WAV

Richard

[Ellie]

They also gave me the all singing Invacare TDX SP2 power wheelchair which I cannot use in my house!

That must be awful for you Richard - are you able to self-propel the G Logic chair in the house? Ipresume/hope that wheelchair services considered a smaller powerchair, such as the Salsa Mini, if it's a space issue? xx

[Suefromwakey]

My husband just took delivery of his power Chair its a Quickie Salsa M2............apparently no attendant features anymore as too many accidents by carers!.........so its a right pain for me to just try and get it right into position for him to slide across.............they are extremely sensitive and I am finding reversing difficult!............turning is brill though..........that's what I keep doing!

Perhaps you need to start pushing for this Nunheadman as it actually took Albert 20 months to be assessed, have the road test, be assessed again and finally get it.

[Deb]

This made me smile Sue. I have a salsa mini too and Stuart finds it hard to get it into the right position for me to slide onto .i don't know why he doesn't just sit on it to move it ! ( unless he's worried he won't be able to drive it as well as me !😂, )

Seriously though Richard it makes it doubly hard if you need a different wheelchair for inside and out. I do have a small electric one which we bought for inside as its the same height as our bed and loo. I found a manual one too hard to manoeuvre and propel.

Good Luck because it does rake a while to get things right.
Love Debbie x

[richard]

Richard - are you able to self-propel the G Logic chair in the house? Ipresume/hope that wheelchair services considered a smaller powerchair

The G Logic is my everyday indoor chair and it’s very good for me. As far as wheelchair services are concerned the answer is “These are very expensive and cannot be changed”

Richard

[Ellie]

As far as wheelchair services are concerned the answer is “These are very expensive and cannot be changed”

Their compassion knows no bounds 😩🤬 I'm so sorry Richard...

If you got to the stage of needing a powerchair indoors not only for proper support, seating and pressure relief, what will they do then - tell you to stay in bed 24/7 🤯🤯

I also have a TDX chair, as do several others, including Lynne. xx

[richard]

The TDX is excellent and I have the riser and recliner fitted but it’s just not a run around indoor chair for my house 😢
Richard

[matthew55]

I'm only on my sofa for now but I'm up to seven faux sheepskin rugs under my bum so far 😁😀😃😆xx

[denise]

so matthew is really into sheep!

[Ellie]

I'm up to seven faux sheepskin rugs under my bum so far

I'm picturing you as the sofa version of the Princess And The Pea now 😂😂




Any point in me suggesting you ask the OT for just one pressure relieving cushion?? 😏🤗😘