Looking for Lightweight Wheelchair advice please

Alex26

I'm not sure what all your criteria is for a wheelchair but I know Staxi Wheelchairs are designed to be lightweight and easy for those who are not only in the wheelchair, but for people like yourself who would be pushing the chair, as they have single handlebar for better posture, and also automated brakes on the handlebar. Hope this helps.

HB58

Our local branch of The Range has a fair selection of wheelchairs for sale. If you have anything similar locally, your mother and you could give the chairs a try and see what suits best. You might also find something similar at a mobility supplies shop. You don't have to actually buy from there - although my conscience would not let me take advantage of their time and trouble without buying something from them!

emmahip

Hi all - just an update and thanks for all your input - got her the Karma Wren 2 from 1stchoicemobility and it's just the ticket.
Cheers,
Emma

Brassedoff

GlasweJen wrote: »

The important thing is that the chair fits your mum and that she has a good cushion. I'm 8 stone and use a 16" chair with a gel cushion 24 hours a day. Mine is supplied by the NHS and is very comfortable, ask your mums GP if she would be suitable for a wheelchair assessment.

Jen, I am on my third chair and what a hassle. If you remember I had to get my MP involved. I was told by Wheelchair services that their budget nationally (England) had been cut 60%. They don't hand them out for people who cannot walk, let alone elsewhere. (I have just paid £900 for a new bead/gel/inflatable cushion, plus WS gave me a voucher of £824 towards the chair they said I really needed due to my height, that chair cost me £3800 for East Mids).

Anyone with the OP's former request would be better hiring one from the British Red Cross @£3 a week

Brassedoff

luminated wrote: »

This true as I found out after my assessment as they look for usage over a minimum of four days per week.

Huh? To get one, you have to use it inside to get around. Te strange rule is you don't qualify if you only need to use it outside or a couple of days a week. I have been through it and had to get advice on these boards on how to support my application.

Since then, I have learned all the qualification rules, and what you describe is most certainly outside of the rules as ten apply in England.

luminated

Brassedoff wrote: »

Huh? To get one, you have to use it inside to get around. Te strange rule is you don't qualify if you only need to use it outside or a couple of days a week. I have been through it and had to get advice on these boards on how to support my application.

Since then, I have learned all the qualification rules, and what you describe is most certainly outside of the rules as ten apply in England.

Are you trying to wind me up?

Look at the words on this link which say :

"People of all ages with a permanent disability, affecting their ability to walk, who are registered with a General Practitioner within an agreed Primary Care Trust and need a wheelchair for a minimum of 4 times per week for at least 6 months."

http://www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/patients/centres/emc/wheelchairs.html


I remember someone on this forum saying the NHS DO NOT supply any form of electrical wheelchair or power pack for a wheelchair. Wrong as I was supplied with a new wheelchair with a power pack at the end of last year.

So I expect you to say sorry?

luminated

emmahip wrote: »

Hi all - just an update and thanks for all your input - got her the Karma Wren 2 from 1stchoicemobility and it's just the ticket.
Cheers,
Emma

Thanks for updating us all - a lot ask for advice & then we never hear from them again :T

Brassedoff

luminated wrote: »

Are you trying to wind me up?

Look at the words on this link which say :

"People of all ages with a permanent disability, affecting their ability to walk, who are registered with a General Practitioner within an agreed Primary Care Trust and need a wheelchair for a minimum of 4 times per week for at least 6 months."

http://www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/patients/centres/emc/wheelchairs.html


I remember someone on this forum saying the NHS DO NOT supply any form of electrical wheelchair or power pack for a wheelchair. Wrong as I was supplied with a new wheelchair with a power pack at the end of last year.

So I expect you to say sorry?

Why? I merely quoted the criteria for the wheelchair Services. I could not get one at first as I was not using it 100% in doors, never mind for four times this week.

I suppose people get different things in different areas if you have a battery powered version for just four occasions a week. After all, I have just had to shell £3,800 to add to WCS voucher of £824 for the correct chair for me.

luminated

Brassedoff wrote: »

Since then, I have learned all the qualification rules, and what you describe is most certainly outside of the rules as ten apply in England.

So you don't offer an apology despite suggesting as quote above you know ALL the rules which clearly you don't. Posters like you totally tarnish the quality advice given on this forum. At least every post I make I can back up with a link to an authoritive source & not just a very misguided assumption.

I don't reckon to be all knowledgeable (like you) on the issue for all of the country.

Shame on you for not apologising.

M00minMama

I've been lucky enough to have a GP supportive of me having an NHS powerchair at home although I dont use it indoors every day. I walk as much as I can manage indoors and use the chair for the rest of the time. Somedays I may not use it at all, other days constantly.

My back up chair is manual an weighs a tonne. Not too much of a problem for me as it gets little use. In general standards weight chairs seem to be issued becaused of cost. However my GP said they can request a preference for a lightweight chair for a carer's needs, but ultimately it comes down to the assessment by your wheelchair service.

The only problem I have found is how long it takes to get seen.
If I wasn't with the wheelchair service I would probably go to eBay because of cost.