Powered wheelchairs

[Trinity1948]

I am considering buying a powered wheelchair for use indoors and outdoors as my walking has deteriorated to the extent that the indoor walker that I have used for some years is no longer suitable.

Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated

[violasrbest]

Hi Trinity

A key question is whether it needs to be foldable, and so transportable. If so, I am looking at two next week, and so would be able to give some information, if not then I can't be of much help, except to say that I have graduated to a powerchair at work and I love it. It has helped me to feel much more confident for meetings etc. and generally getting around the offices.

[TedTom in reply to violasrbest]

Am really interested in this and how you are able to get around successfully. Friend with ataxia has feeling that the ground often seems to move, up and down and side to side - some floors do and some floors don't , also she describes it as walking on ice. She also has trouble judging gaps and distances etc along with slow reactions for want of a better way to explain it. She has a mobility scooter but only uses rarely and where there is lots of space as scared of bumping into things/ people. Have often looked at different motorised chairs online but would be useful to find somewhere to try various ones out if possible? Walking used to be a favourite hobby and the idea of an all terrain chair looks fantastic but not sure how it would be practical ? Any thoughts very welcome, thanks

[violasrbest in reply to TedTom]

Hi

I have no problem getting around generally, & don't have the problem with the floors. However I do need to slow right down for gaps. Even though I have 2 inches to spare on both sides, I still slow to a crawl for doors.

I agree that an all-terrain chair looks & sound fantastic, but they all seem to be very expensive.

[sheild in reply to violasrbest]

We bought a decent power chair, sits in the garage unused, I have problems with floors, bumps, gradients

and cambers. I tried it for just a few short distances, less than 100 yards, but just couldn't coordinate my eyes with where I was going.

I've ended up with an active manual wheelchair and have hubby to help with steep bits, kerbs etc, I stay in control mostly and feel the safest this way. The wheelchair is a Sunrise and cost around £2500 but is more sporty than clunky and is ever so easy to turn around in lifts, does it on a sixpence.

Do take time to get exactly what is right for you, is it possible to get help or advice from your local wheelchair service people? That might help you rule out some unsuitable chairs and suppliers.

[TedTom in reply to sheild]

That's helpful, thanks. Also your description about not being able to coordinate your eyes is even more helpful! My friend has just said that is the first time anyone else has explained exactly how she feels, she will use this in future trying to explain herself to others as to why for example it's not enough to have something like a scooter or wheelchair as its not just her legs balancing that's the problem. She asks if you suffer from dizziness as well? Also would you mind telling us which make the wheelchair is you use now and the make of the one in the garage, please?

[sheild in reply to TedTom]

I suppose it is dizziness that I have, but more importantly I have no balance unless I really really concentrate and then I can manage to walk a few feet. Around the house I 'touch' all the time and use my elbows and hands to feel for me.

My powerchair, is a Karma Blazer and I had it fitted with a comfy headrest, LED lights and tilt-in-space to help with downward slopes. It has suspension at the back too, all in all a very good powerchair if you can work out where you are going...

[tedjohnson]

HeLlo Trinity

I have just bought a Monimo Plus which folds and goes in the boot of the car. I use it in the house and also outside or in the hospital look it up on line and take your time and look at other makes I am. 6 foot and weigh 13 stone (plus a bit !!)

Good luck. Ted

[sylviagreenhalgh]

I have a powered wheelchair from the NHS on loan. Mr GP referred me to the whellchair service and they came and assessed me and then I went to Queen Marys Roehampton and I tried a powered wheelchair . they ordered one for me and then I was assessed using it outside and then they said I was OK to use one so now I can go out on my own- nerve racking at first like when you drive a car on your own for the first .time I have to pay for insurance and rescue and recovery- the chair costs about £ 1300 but is you go to a shop they will try to sell you the most expensive so try and see if you can get an NHS one. the one I have cost about £ 1300. all the best Sylvia

[TedTom]

Very helpful thanks and to Trinity sorry for hijacking your post!

[wibblywobbly]

hi, I have a kuchall efix wheelchair. It's lightweight, foldable so can go into the boot of any average sized car.

with this chair I have two controllers. One joystick for when I'm in it and another one that is on the handles for pushing on the back. With this additional controller I can walk, pushing the chair on the electric setting so it's not too heavy. I have really increased my walking distance as I walk as much as I can and then sit in the chair to recover. I really love my wheelchair 😍. It gives me freedom and keeps my safety practicing my walking.

I was assessed for this. We were initially looking as power assisted chairs, but when I tried one I couldn't control it very well as the sca affects my arms and hands as well as my legs. Actually it affects everywhere!!!

this chair was expensive tho. Also my husband has serious back problems so we had to search for something light which I can operate completely myself.

as we are living in France the system is different here. Funding depends on your household income. We received a very large amount from the government - thankfully!

my advice would be to assess properly what you need first.

bon courage

Alison

[TedTom in reply to wibblywobbly]

Hello, , very interested in this chair but have just been looking on Internet and can't see anything about the two controllers . It just seems to be the one joystick. Wondered if you could let us know which model yuo have please to try and track this down? AThanks

[wibblywobbly in reply to TedTom]

hi, the only info I have is kuschall efix. The handlebar controls are additional so prob best to call them or a kuschall dealer. They are a German company. Things can be adapted on this chair depending on your needs. I'm sure you would need to go thro a dealer or occupational therapist as the chairs are made to measure.

[PeteW]

Goldenmotor.com

[chaz2015]

I have a mobility scooter and am considering getting an electric wheelchair as it's mùch shorteŕ

[DeniseLB]

I hate to say this but if I could I would, I couldn't afford it and I get no help with mobility so I either sit or fall. I would go for it.

Denise

[joecampbell94]

I would advise you not to get a wheelchair for in and outdoor, just get 1 for outdoor and use your walker for indoors and keep using your legs

[FFNick]

Bought my electric scooter second hand through Facebook groups Sell and Seek, half price. My Gogo Traveller breaks in to 4 parts to go in the car. Has solid tyres. and almost new. Generally electric devices not car chargeable as 12 Volt, same as car.

Search for misspellings eg motorbility, scootor, scootar.

Vendor was chuffed that someone was going to make use of scooter, hence good value on price. Has clever charger which is made by ACI Advance Chargers Inc. Can not over charge.

See electric scooter as mobile chair, save legs when you need them. Can disengage drive.

Like you, knew very little about electric scooters. Lucked out when bought this scooter. Salesmen will try to sell what they have in stock. I know, I used to be one! Use shop as trial venue if available.

[chaz2015]

I àm testing a pride travel chair next weeķ so ìĺl let you know

[violasrbest]

OK, I tested a Foldawheel and a Zinger yesterday. The Zinger wasn't suitable because it needed two hands at all times to make it go.

I loved the Foldawheel. It was quire heavy, althou Ok dfor me (an

[violasrbest]

I'll try again!

...although OK for me (an 18 stone bloke), but it was foldable in two seconds, easy to drive and looked good. I've ordered one but will have to wait until it's delivered to give a full report.

[Wyndham]

I answered another post with a similar question before I saw this discussion.

Read here healthunlocked.com/ataxia-u...

[sylviagreenhalgh]

I have a invacare chair supplied by Queen Marys Roehampton but I find it very heavy. Itis too large to use indoors as you can see with the scrapes to the furniture and doors. I was not told you have to charge it every day even if you do not use it. It costs about £ 1300 and as I am going into hpl later on this year I am unwilling to leave it charging while no-one is at home as I live alone. all the bestSylvia

[violasrbest]

OK, I received the chair on Friday and have taken it to work today for the first time. I love it. The transportability element takes some getting used to, and my wife and I struggled a bit to get it in the car this morning, but practice makes perfect. The chair is fine for working at a desk etc. I haven't used it on rough terrain, but it coped very well with some bumps and dips this morning.

For those that haven't read the earlier posts, it is a Foldawheel 1000 from Wheelchair88.

[violasrbest]

OK, I've now had my Foldawheel for two weeks so it's time to update. Basically I love it. It folds and unfolds so easily. At 55 lbs it is a little heavy for one person, but for two lifting it in and out of the car is a breeze. I use mine every day for work, and last weekend I went round the local Tesco in it - the first time for ages that I haven't worried about falling over in a shop!