Let's talk wheelchairs and mobility scooters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXFFjAgeSU8

 

PS You can support them on kickstarter

Edit: Oh, it seems that round has closed.

 

What a bummer that they did not get enough funding. While I do not need a wheelchair (yet), I looks like it would be useful for those who do.

 

I haven't read this yet but looks interesting http://www.whentaniatalks.com/powered-mobility-options/

 

@jeckylberry, did you know there's a bird lovers' thread at S4ME? Its under "Off topic Chit-Chat" in the community lounge section.

I've never ventured on there, you bird lovers can be a fruity lot.

 

Don't make us send Mama Little Owl around to sort you out:

 

Fruity?? Some of us are nutty. Others are a little seedy. Even grubby, I’m afraid. Some are mousy and others are just dead meat. All sorts, really. Thanks for the tip!

 

Reading all these responses are confusing for me. I just gave in and put an order in for a wheelchair.

I came in this blog right when I saw it.
I have OI which seems to be getting worse as years go by. So I realize to have any kind of life I need a chair.

I just don't know what type to get. The scooter sounds good. @Milo did insurance cover to get your scooter? If you don't mind me asking.

Right now I just asked my Dr what he thinks I should get. I'm worried I'll get a regular wheelchair and it will be too hard to maneuver.

@Allele did you start with a regular chair or will this be your first altogether? Are you using insurance? Do expensive to buy anything electric!

Glad I saw your blog @Allele !
Pen2

 

Hi @Pen2 my extended health insurance covered my scooter at 100% (I am in Canada)- so I could pick the one that suited me best. i am allowed a new one every 5 years. It allows me outside without spending much energy, so I am thankful.

 

Hi @Pen2 , I am confused and can't chose either. I don't have insurance for such a thing, so it's all on me, and other sudden unexpected expenses have made a mobility chair/scooter less of a priority right now. I know I need electric as I haven't the strength to push myself, nor someone to push me. Plus, I insist on retaining some degree of self-reliance

I hope to take advantage of the suggestions in this thread at some point and go to a local place and try a loaner or even a rental to get a better sense of what is best for me.

 

http://www.wheelchairs.com/

Includes All Terrain and High Performance models.

(sort of like an “off road” chair and a “sports” chair)

 

They look good @MErmaid - fairly compact. I'd love an off-road wheelchair but they are so expensive. I just look at them wistfully

 

This thread is so interesting. But sad to read of all your difficulties @Wonko, that stinks.

I cant go out alone ever because it's so unsafe for me, even with good pacing i still regularly crash unexpectedly & suddenly, & then I cant hold myself upright in a chair, & get very confused & disorientated to the point of not knowing where i am or how to get home, often unexpectedly. So after being stepped over in the street, robbed & people thinking I'm having a stroke or going into diabetic coma & wanting to call ambulance, i had to accept that i simply not safe to go out without a chaperone even on a good day
So if i did get a scooter i couldn't go out alone as i'd be unable to either steer myself or remember the route home, or indeed be able to communicate coherently enough to ask for help. So no independence here sadly. But I did buy a standard looking large wheeled chair that's made of lightweight metal & had detachable wheels so its dead easy for my carer to lift into the car.

For anyone reading i endorse someone elses comment (sorry i cant find it now to quote) to get suspension... hard wheeled chairs are hell. get the sort with pump up tyres otherwise the bumps vibration are torture.

But this...

That would be so wonderful... i could go out with my carer, friend & actually steer myself, have control over where i wanted to go, but still be able to have whoever with me intervene & take over at the point i needed it. Was there any info with it? I wept with joy at the thought of being able to have some independence while out.

 

If you feel like starting a gofundme page, then I will chip in. That exactly how Jennifer Brea paid for her wheelchair



We may need to consider inquiring about the possibility of starting a new thread “could you please help me fund this”, where members could work with the S4ME moderators, gain approval, and have the moderators post a link to their campaign. That way it would be anonymous, because we wouldn’t know whose real name was associated with an avatar name.

 

Aw that's kind of you to say that

 

Well actually I would chip in, since I am a very kind and caring person, and have spent my entire life helping others. But please don’t tell anyone, because it will harm my S4ME “bad ass” reputation

 

Well you could just up the bad ass-ery a tad to compensate, no problem.

Really, I wouldn't crowdfund for something I'd like to have rather than actually need, it wouldn't seem fair.

 

Google adds wheelchair-accessible routes to Google Maps

To read more:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-maps-adds-wheelchair-accessible-routes/

 

There's also a new app that I read about that rates accessibility:

https://www.thelily.com/a-yelp-for-...-to-change-the-conversation-about-disability/

Code:

https://www.facebook.com/AccessNowApp/

https://www.facebook.com/AccessNowApp/

I have no personal experience with the app, just passing on some information.