Electric wheelchair for Multi System Atrophy sufferer.

[Jud11]

My husband who suffers with MSA is now in need of a wheelchair to use when we go out and about. I need a chair which is going to be lightweight and easy to fold and transport in the boot of our car. I have looked online and want to make sure I get the most suitable chair for him. Can anyone pass on any of their advice, recommendations and experience when they purchased a chair? Many thanks!

[Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Hi My wife had had 2 types of chairs in her time in but due to her inability to control her Limbs we have reverted to a manual pushed by me.

There are a few about now and some fold electronically. They are controlled by either a joystick or a handlebar. They usually come apart to go into a car.

I would suggest looking at a couple at a motobility showroom first.

If your husband gets the motability element of PIP he could surrender some of this for a new machine unless you already have a car from motability.

Buying is good but resale values are negligible.

Second hand ? Make sure the battery is holding its charge.

Hope this helps

Paul

[Jud11 in reply to Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Thank you very much for your response, food for thought.

[AMBD in reply to Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Hello, we bought a chair from the local disability shop but with hi hindsight this was a mistake. We didn't realise there were so many variations!Ultimately I was starting to investigate a tilting chair as my husband would fall asleep and be slumped uncomfortably forwards. There are some tilting, very lightweight and manoeuvrable chairs around. I advise doing your homework. Also consider refurbished secondhand. Like previously said if looking for electric, batteries can always be replaced. Good luck in your endeavours.

During the progress of the disease we had to change cars twice finally ending up with a WAV. Had already gone the route of hoist in car (second hand, a third of new price) with mobility scooter. A bit of forward thinking required.

[Jud11 in reply to AMBD]

Thank you for your feedback, it certainly does require some thought.

[Helenhooter]

Hi, I cannot use my electric wheelchair in the car. It's far too heavy to transport. However I use my manual in the car. It is lightweight and the wheels pop off too. The arms go up and down easily also, for getting under tables. You will need to buy the extra anti tip pieces because you need them (I didn't bother and tipped up yesterday 😱). I also use an electric scooter which fits in pieces in the car. I have to rely on my husband to set it up and put it in the car. He says it's heavy! I think that's a scout?My electric wheelchair is a salsa mini 2. My manual wheelchair is an Airrex IGO self propelled and transit which was £249.99 from careco they were really good with customer service too. I hope this helps? Let me know if you need more info

H

🙂 XXX

[Jud11]

Thank you very much Helen for your info, hope you did not hurt yourself when you tipped up.🙈🙈

[Hidden]

Hello, Your community occupational therapist from your local authority might help with the spec/sizing. There may be postural considerations and pressure care to factor in. Dad didn't last long in a standard wheelchair before needing one with a tilting backrest (as he would fall forward due to not being able to hold himself up straight). He couldn't have controlled an electric one himself due to spacial awareness issues and his reaction times slowing. He had a series of wheeled armchairs for the house lent for free from the community OT. Always worth getting them on board. Kx

[Jud11 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for taking the time to respond and your recommendation concerning OT.

[Oliverwindsor]

Hi, I fully understand your problem, my wife was really finding it hard a couple of years ago and wanted to keep at least a little independent even simply walking together. We don’t have much money but needed a strong reliable easy transported chair. I found this on eBay for £880 which was MUCH cheaper than any others in mobility shops and MUCH lighter to move around. Two light weight batteries, quick charge and up to 20miles each!! Joy stick, comfortable and if need be the controller can be simply moved on to the handles so you don’t even have to push it. A fantastic little tool which she still uses all the time. I would most certainly recommend it from a company called “mobility plus on eBay”. You are not going to get much back when sold second hand on any product but I have seen these second hand for a few hundred, therefore, the loss is not so bad. Hope that helps.x

Electric wheelchair

[Jud11 in reply to Oliverwindsor]

Thank you very much for your info, very helpful. I had seen this chair online and felt it may be a good choice, but wanted to way everything up first. So good to have your feed back of your experience.

[Oliverwindsor]

Just been reading the other comments, it does have a lap strap, pull out stability legs and the arms pivot up and down so easy to get in and out of. The best but it it folds and I can lift it with one hand, not to heavy. Our car is a Chevy Matiz!

[Jud11 in reply to Oliverwindsor]

Think this sounds ideal for our needs. There is so much to think about with this type of purchase! Many thanks for all your info, very kind of you to take the time. Kind regards. Judith

[Kaye31]

Hi, we use a rollz which is also a walker and easy to transport for car, plane or train x

[Jud11 in reply to Kaye31]

Thank you !

[Hidden]

I would get a referral to your local NHS wheel chair service. Speak to your parkinson nurse or OT, they will help you. We bought one and found we walk out with a completely ill-fitting chair. Sourced from a mobility type shop too! The NHS one we were given was free and fitted perfectly. At some point you may need an electric one. The NHS service will help you there too. Kind regards Sharon xx

[Jud11 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Morganthreewheeler]

JudiI bought my wife an electric Freedom Chair which is electric, folds easily to get in the car and has a long range. It is also good over bumpy surfaces

It has good storage underneath and at the rear. I am 72 and reasonably strong so it it not an issue lifting it into my car

Good luck with your choice

Philip

Photo of wheelchair

[Jud11 in reply to Morganthreewheeler]

Thank you Philip for your response and comments. Kind regards.

[Morganthreewheeler]

JudiThe company that supplied it came to our house with 2 electric wheelchairs for my wife to try out and for me to lift into my car

If you want their name let me know

Best wishes

Philip

[Jud11 in reply to Morganthreewheeler]

Thank you Philip! Kind regards.

[mandg]

Thats funny because we are looking into getting a wheelchair too. I want Graham to walk as much as he can, so we have tried one which I can push when he is tired. However today I discovered you can get a power pack to fit to the wheelchair to give ME a bit help up hills etc. This way it shouldn`t be too heavy or bulky to lift into the car. I need to do more research, but interesting to read all the comments, I particularly like "morganthreewheeler" post, as it looks suitable for rougher terrain, which we want.

[Jud11 in reply to mandg]

Yes I want my husband to walk as much as he can as do you, he goes to the gym most days for 30 mins or so and also we have a Neuro physio visit fortnightly which has been invaluable. The problem is that Richard now gets very fatigued with his rollator when we go out walking and have realised the time has come for a wheelchair where appropriate. It is such an awful condition to endure but we try to think positively, as I am sure you both do. Best of luck with your wheelchair search!

[mandg]

Thanks Jud11, It seems we are in the same situation at the moment.

[chammond9]

Hello, I haven't got personal experience but am currently researching for my Dad, who has MSA. I saw the Livewell Easy-split electric powerchair - i really like it as it split up for easy transportation. I drive a mini so haven't got much boot space. Best wishes,

katie

[Jud11 in reply to chammond9]

Thank you for your info, will check out this chair.👍

[ChrisF67]

Google Lith-Tech. I bought an electric chair and it’s made such a difference. They also allow you to try any chair and their showroom has all eventualities you may come up against. (Kerbs/bumpy roads etc)

Good Luck.

[Jud11 in reply to ChrisF67]

Thank you for your response. I am so glad your wheelchair has made such a difference to your life, I am hoping this will be the case for my husband. Kind regards.