Complaints to wheelchair service

GlasweJen

Diamandis wrote: »

I've had two chairs and couldn't propel either of them. My disability affects my arms and legs, I just can't move my own weight with my arms.

The occupational therapist showed me how to use it properly (or as properly as I can) but I just can't do it.

It doesn’t sound like you’ve been set up properly, an electric chair is usually a last resort as they can be unreliable and if the battery packs in you’re left stranded.

I would complain and ask to go in for a rebuild. You should be able to touch the inner rim of your chair easily when sitting all the way back in your chair on your cushion. You should also be able to attend classes to learn to use the chair properly, not just a quick demo. Can you tilt yourself back to go up a pavement for example? You should be able to.

They might suggest special wheels which make the chair go more efficiently and are almost like an electric chair, they are definitely worth a shot.

If you absolutely can’t get on with the chair you might need to go into hospital as an inpatient for an assessment on a rehab ward, this happened to someone I know and eventually they worked out where things were going wrong and she got sorted out. Her problem was co-ordinating the movements and she needed quite a lot of input.

You might benefit from being around other wheelchair users, do you socialise with other people in chairs or are you on your own with the chair? I’ve learned loads attending wheelchair groups and it’s helped lots with my confidence. Google wheelchair [activity] and your town and see what comes up. I play wheelchair tennis (badly), rugby (worse) and go to a reading group that’s mostly wheelchair users. I used to go to a cycling class and wheelchair yoga. There’s wheelchair everything! The best bit is seeing other people’s chairs and using sports wheelchairs, I much prefer my rugby chair to my actual normal wheelchair, I use it to go out in sometimes.

mrcol1000

It sounds to me like the OT is the problem not the wheelchair service. They will provide whatever the OT tells them you need. The service differs from area. In mine area it is no longer run by the NHS but a private company. Any excuse to get out of providing an electric wheelchair and they will. I was assessed as being entitled to one but prefer a manual one for now.

There are charities which will fund one if your OT says you need one and explains why the NHS won't fund one. Is there a charity that supports people with your disability? There are a huge wave of charities which provide grants for equipment that can't get it from normal sources. Some are quite specialised (one only supports former secretaries). But there are a few general ones. You however again need your OT support.

Cyclamen

It seems a bit of a postcode lottery for wheelchair services. I couldn't drive the chair they gave me as it was such a tight fit in the house it left me exhausted from cognitive energy, and as we didn't have a wheelchair taxi in the area at the time it was no good for going out. The OT who assessed me suggested a type of chair and tried to get it funded but even though it was cheaper than what they provided me they wouldn't fund it.

In your situation I think i'd phone and talk to the OT at wheelchair services first. If that doesnt work put a complaint in in writing asking for a written reply.

Have you the means of transporting a powerchair if you did get one?

There are all sorts of options out there for transportable chairs that can be picked up from ebay new to you) or from online shops but they may not suit your needs.

Have a look on the 'turn2us grants finder' page and see if their is any help available in the form of a grant. If you have a union or professional body for work they may also have a benevolent fund.

There are some 'self propel' chairs tat are operated by pulling/pushing levers rather than rotating the wheels.. I am sorry I don't know much about these I have just seen them being used a few years ago.

I hope you find a solution.

Diamandis

Thanks for everyone's responses. The operational services manager was copied into one of my informal emails and has emailed me today saying she will speak to my bioengineer before my appointment with them on Monday. I'll keep you all updated.