Wheelchair help needed - please

skeggysteve

I used to repair mobility equipment for a living so here's my 2ps worth!

Front wheels (castor wheels) can cause many problems if they are badly adjusted.
I recommend going for the larger and wider castor wheels as they give a better ride and don't tend to 'bounce' around as much over uneven surfaces.
Self propelled (SP)chairs have narrow tyres on the rear wheels and even if they are not solid tyre they don't give as a comfortable a ride as the the wider tyres available on non SP chairs.
The best quick release rear wheels have a very simple push button release pin. But they must be adjusted correctly to be easy to use.

I've repaired hundreds of chairs but haven't see one with hight adjustable push handles - it is something that I thought should be a standard feature, people come in different sizes!

Different NHS wheelchair service vary in their helpfulness but (IMHO) all OTs are useless!

I'd recommend visiting, as many as possible, small mobility shops and trying as many different chairs - smaller retailers will want you to be a happy customer where as the nationals just want your money.

Everyone has different needs from a chair so there is never going to be a 'one size fits all' solution.

luminated

Thanks for your input SkeggySteve - very interesting and useful to me. I am getting the feeling that OT's don't get great praise heaped on them!!

Richie-from-the-Boro

- its old [ish] now but at the non 'super premium' price point little has changed
- read from about 1/3 way down, it covers everything and more including transit wheelchairs

Parva

I can't find the actual seller of the one I bought but I think this is the identical chair I bought from Ebay (and cheaper than I paid) that I use at home :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-LUXURY-FOLDING-SELF-PROPEL-WHEELCHAIR-WITH-DETACHABLE-FLIP-UP-FOOTRESTS-/320927715957?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Mobility_Disability_Medical_ET&var=&hash=item4ab8c85275

And here's the actual NHS supplied chair :-
Gah, can't find the damned thing and it's in the boot of the car so I can't easily check. I'll check as soon as I can, I have the name of it on the tip of my tongue, so annoying.

luminated

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

- its old [ish] now but at the non 'super premium' price point little has changed
- read from about 1/3 way down, it covers everything and more including transit wheelchairs

Good link Richie - Thank You :T

zaksmum

Would a mobility scooter be a better option? They can be used indoors and many will fold down to go in the boot of a car. You could get a used one for £200

luminated

Parva wrote: »

I can't find the actual seller of the one I bought but I think this is the identical chair I bought from Ebay (and cheaper than I paid) that I use at home :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-LUXURY-FOLDING-SELF-PROPEL-WHEELCHAIR-WITH-DETACHABLE-FLIP-UP-FOOTRESTS-/320927715957?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Mobility_Disability_Medical_ET&var=&hash=item4ab8c85275

And here's the actual NHS supplied chair :-
Gah, can't find the damned thing and it's in the boot of the car so I can't easily check. I'll check as soon as I can, I have the name of it on the tip of my tongue, so annoying.

£75 for a home one - good value.

No rush about link for one in your car but would be useful when you are able. :T

luminated

zaksmum wrote: »

Would a mobility scooter be a better option? They can be used indoors and many will fold down to go in the boot of a car. You could get a used one for £200

I've nowhere to keep one except outside, under a cover, and I've been advised they don't like that environment when it gets colder and with the condensation. So thought about keeping in my car boot but same advice with many condensation issues.

Apart from above there are so many days where I don't feel safe driving one. I just feel so tired and disorientated so for the moment the wheelchair with some form of power would be better. Anyhow even though I am not sure about OTs that is the advice I am being given.

Thanks for your thoughts though :T

zaksmum

luminated wrote: »

I've nowhere to keep one except outside, under a cover, and I've been advised they don't like that environment when it gets colder and with the condensation. So thought about keeping in my car boot but same advice with many condensation issues.

Apart from above there are so many days where I don't feel safe driving one. I just feel so tired and disorientated so for the moment the wheelchair with some form of power would be better. Anyhow even though I am not sure about OTs that is the advice I am being given.

Thanks for your thoughts though :T

Just realised you said you've nowhere to keep one EXCEPT outside. Sorry!
They can be kept indoors.

luminated

zaksmum wrote: »

Just realised you said you've nowhere to keep one EXCEPT outside. Sorry!
They can be kept indoors.

Not much room indoors unless I kick my wife out :rotfl: