Wheelchairs

saving_pennies

Thanks lin_c. fingers crossed it only takes 3-4 weeks here (I'm in hampshire). I didn't know it was possible to end the motability contract early, will look into that once I had wheelchair assessment.

7roland8. Good idea re freecycle.

I had a look on the internet and there are adaptations through motability which can lift the chair into the car. But they are expensive too.

Lorne

My advice would be to trial any scooter, manual or powered chair before you buy. Depending where you live, shopmobility have a great selection and red cross can loan out wheelchairs for a donation, information is available on their website. It is important that a chair 'fits' so make sure that it is measured for you, will be much more comfortable.

7roland8

Yes definitely try lots of different ones.
I like the three wheelers but lots think they're unstable. I've had no problem and been over all sorts of ground and on and off pavements. I find them more manouverable - easier to turn round.
Also the bigger they are (with more comfy seats - the more difficult they are in small places and shops.
Our shop mobility only had old motor wheelchairs so thats what I started with first - not too bad but very heavy and bulky.
There is a contraption that fits on the back of a car to carry a scooter - a bit like a large bike carrier - that has a sort of ramp at the side that lowers - but you'd need to be able to walk a bit to use that, and lift the ramp - though the scooter stays in one piece - variations on this - http://www.mobilityscootercarriers.co.uk/.

Also found this site that hires out scooters in Hampshire - not checked it out though - http://mobilityscooteruk.org/south-east/hampshire/

sunnyone

scooters are not suitable for everyone, its best to try as many as you possible can before you decide on a mobility aid.

starchild1972

Scooters are not always suitable if you find yourself using public transport a lot. Especially buses, they are just not made for the disabled area.
They are also difficult to manouver in shops etc and can be too heavy for some lifts.
DH had a scooter but has recently traded it for an electric wheelchair and found it a lot easier. People take more notice of wheelchairs than scooters too.

(Just a shame there isn't enough room in the car for his + mine!)

Brassedoff

Well this thread has really peed me off and not with the OP or other posters. Like the OP, I get around on crutches, but broke my arm in hospital through the negligence of the staff, effectively letting me fall. I have my left arm in plaster and it's the left that has drop foot, so walking with one crutch proved a disaster. The hospital told me they did not loan chairs. We tried the Red Cross and DIAL. Both did not loan chairs the people my size, something I cannot believe (I am 6ft and a bit, plus 19 stone). The hospital gave me a gutter crutch, but that was no use when the break is from the elbow down towards the wrist and not the other way. Gutters allow for elbow weight bearing. So for the past two weeks I have been a prisoner in home. My GP has not mentioned this service either. Can I have the details please if anyone has them. I live in Warwickshire. The OT is no use, she was the one who caused the fall that caused the break.

Thank you for any help and to the OP, thanks for the thread and sorry for the highjack.

sunnyone

Brassedoff wrote: »

Well this thread has really peed me off and not with the OP or other posters. Like the OP, I get around on crutches, but broke my arm in hospital through the negligence of the staff, effectively letting me fall. I have my left arm in plaster and it's the left that has drop foot, so walking with one crutch proved a disaster. The hospital told me they did not loan chairs. We tried the Red Cross and DIAL. Both did not loan chairs the people my size, something I cannot believe (I am 6ft and a bit, plus 19 stone). The hospital gave me a gutter crutch, but that was no use when the break is from the elbow down towards the wrist and not the other way. Gutters allow for elbow weight bearing. So for the past two weeks I have been a prisoner in home. My GP has not mentioned this service either. Can I have the details please if anyone has them. I live in Warwickshire. The OT is no use, she was the one who caused the fall that caused the break.

Thank you for any help and to the OP, thanks for the thread and sorry for the highjack.

Ring your GP tomorrow and tell him/her that you need a urgent referal to the wheelchair services and why, have your high and weight ready to give them so that they can fax it to wheelchair services tomorrow, tell them you will take anything appropriate that they have ready to get you mobile again because they can always do things properly later on after your arm has healed.

Are you starting to heal now?

Its a while since you posted.

Lolly99

Hi there i would like to help being in a similar situation myself. The most stonking advice i can give is to get urself along to the mobility roadshow this year in peterborough, best thing i ever did as shows u all the options and companys of everything disability related (you can also hire scooters to get around for the day). There are also cars and hoists for scooters maybe someone there can advise as to powerchair hoists for cars.
The red cross do quite reasonabley priced manual wheelchairs, but yea if u want a electric they are expensive bells and whistles or not ur still talking 3k (which is dispicable if u ask me but that rant is for another board lol). Ive also found a thing that attatches to the wheels of manuals and is like a gear/lever push system called Nudrive but they will cost £700 also.
You can get electric scooters on mobility money if u get that but with the state of the goverment changing stuff atm i personally wouldnt want to rely on that money too much (which is why im housebound atm because if they stopped the money i wouldnt be able to pay the rest of the money to keep the wheelchair or scooter or car and it would be heartbreaking after getting used to it to give it up).
I hope this helps! Good luck xx.

voteguido

Lolly99 wrote: »

Hi there i would like to help being in a similar situation myself. The most stonking advice i can give is to get urself along to the mobility roadshow this year in peterborough, best thing i ever did as shows u all the options and companys of everything disability related (you can also hire scooters to get around for the day). There are also cars and hoists for scooters maybe someone there can advise as to powerchair hoists for cars.

Lots of good advice coming out. If you can't make it to Mobility Roadshow which is in Peterborough again this year (2011) you could also go to the Naidex exhibition at the NEC Birmingham at the end of April.

Key to choosing a wheelchair / powerchair or scooter is research. These are essential pieces of equipment and the difference between getting it right or wrong is huge. You could try http://www.allaboutequipment.org.uk/ (a collaboration website set up by 4 trustworthy charitable organisations) or the Disabled Living Foundation (also an independent charity which offers advice).

Talk to other people who have your same condition. Go via their charity or website forum.

The range of products available is mind-boggling at first. Break the information down. For example, what different TYPES of scooters are there and what are your NEEDS - DLF does some great FACTSHEETS.

Next visit your wheelchair services and see if you are eligible for financial help - because this could make a big difference to your decision.

If you have as assessment and find out what are your exact needs, then you may be able to take this advice and find a good second hand chair or scooter for considerably less cash than new, but you need to know what you are after before parting with money this way - as it could prove a false economy otherwise.

Mupette

you do not need to spend more than 1k on a scooter unless you whan all singing and all dancing.

http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/products.php?catID=6&subID=379

i got my eye on the £379 one (2nd one down)

but i need to sell my powerchair first