Today I have been looking at handbikes for wheelchairs as a way of increasing strength, cardio vascular health and stamina.
What struck me was the cost! The average was around £3,000 well outside my means as I am on a low income. To me it is no more than a variation on a bicycle and I could get a very good one of those for £500.
Why do I get the feeling that many people see the disabled as a cash cow? This attitude both annoys and frustrates me!!!
What are your thoughts?
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Not sure what they are just been on Google and Amazon and they have reasonable prices
I have a friend with MS who uses one of those. She could NOT ride a bicycle at this time, so the hand bikes really do work out, for her.
I used to be on the user board of an assistive tech nonprofit that helped folks try and acquire quite an array of devices, but what is available varies a lot by where you are, and prices as with everything depend a lot on what you need.
Try doing a search for "handcycles" (but don't include wheelchair or medical device search terms unless you actually need that).
If vascular fitness is your main goal (e.g., transportation isn't part of it) try "rowing machines" or "hand pedals".
Both of those options come up very much lower in price than what you've been quoted.
If you do need a wheelchair that is a different thing, as those need to fit you properly or you can actually get hurt (long story!)
Let us know how it goes. (I've done assistive tech and reasonable accommodation strategies for so long that I automatically look at alternatives, which there usually are!)
Sadly I have to agree.
We are seen as a captive audience.
I feel the same about food which is " free from " in my son and husband's case needed because of dangerous and life threatening allergies but prices are pushed up because they know we have to buy them .
I have a feeling electric wheelchair batteries will be the same but haven't checked yet.
Hope you find something useful without needing to rob a bank.
Ellie
I feel that it is the economies of scale, not enough produced to drop the price. Do not forget, to look at not paying VAT as you need it because of a disability.
I totally agree with you, so many brilliant aids, but out of our pockets!
In a documentary on Frank Gardner he commented on the price. Having built bitsa bikes in my youth, and been involved with building stock car chassis (in the plural) and saloon car roll cages I think once I am more independent I will look at building my own (with a welder friend) from a donor bike.
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Quotation for Tuesday 7th April 2020
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