wheelchair shopping--how depressing :(

[Guest guest]

Ok, have to chime in here as I am one of the more stubborn folks aboard the

list. I have very reluctantly purchased a power chair in the past year but

used it only once. I know it would be beneficial on occasion but for me it can

be more hassle than it is worth. I have no ramp in my home and no ramp on my

van so getting it from one place to another is a problem. Soc Security

(Medicare) purchased it but I cant get help with the ramp(s). If my hubby and

or son

are available they can move it. I used it at Six Flags and it was great! We

went to the zoo and we have a large, hilly zoo and I did not take it so the

family had to use the Zoo tram but everyone loved that. Now, I know I have it

and I can use it when needed but still do so reluctantly and other than the

inconvenience the only reason I do not use it more is the crazy stigma so many

of us feel. I am getting better and as I type my chair is being worked on

because I let it sit too long and the battery was damaged....another reason to

use it more...lol

Donna

[Guest guest]

Donna,

Ok Tony is right. Dang try going with me to Walmart with hubby,

and my Step Dad. lolololol. All 3 on a scooter. Ok, I have learned to walk the

other way.

But it would be fun to have a Scooter race. Several at the Retirement

home said they would join in. I could just see you and the night we

went to underground. If you had brought it lolol. Y'all would have left us

sitting out there. But it was fun.

Robbin

[Guest guest]

is still small enough that we can get by with a jogging

stroller instead of a wheelchair. We only use it on outings that

require lots of walking, like shopping malls, zoos, and museums. On

many days, when we are in a store like Wal-Mart, we will use the store

wheelchair or one of the shopping carts designed for 2 kids. ( Why

didn't they have those when my teenagers, 2 yrs apart, were small?

lol ) I have gotten a few nasty comments and many nasty looks about

using the wheelchair when he then hops out of it to go see something

interesting, but I figure we frequently shop for over an hour and its

better to have the chair for him than for him to fall down because he

knee gives out.

Misty & (7, systemic)

>

> Okay, I just bought a wheelchair for my daughter. How depressing!!!

When you are first told it is a possibility you hope and pray that it

will not be true, that you will never need one. But we do, and I did!

How depressing! The good news is that she doesn't need it all the time,

but there are days when she needs it more and of course, anything where

she will walk for any length of time. So, we are now the owners of a

wheelchair. UGH!!!!! I know there are worse things in the world but it

was something I had hoped we could escape somehow!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Robbin, and a lot of folks would have went home with wounded ankles I am

sure....

I am still a new driver so it could have been dangerous. I took my chair

wrestling with Bran one night when I first got it. We always get front row and

their is a barricade and not being real comfy with the chair and its actions.

I rolled into the barrier and my foot got stuck!!! OMG. I was so

embarrassed, not to mention in pain...the foot will never forgive me....I came

home and

practiced in the open street...I know lady driver, don't matter the vehicle

right guys??? LOL

Donna

[Guest guest]

Donna,

lololol I would have stayed outta y'alls way. lololol. Practice made

perfect right. I have done my jumping out of the way a lot lolol. My brother in

law got me penned between a shelf and his scooter. Poor man had altimers to.

My Sister had to get me out of it lololol.

I been buggyed at the heels and ankles. by bother scooters and buggys. My

step dad even warned my about those scooters. He said you know this thing

can break a bone. lolol I said ok just make sure its not my bone that gets

broke lolol.

Ok Donna, now we need scooter licenses lololol. Around here the scooters

do not work if you do not sit in the seat. I didn't know this. Here was 6

scooters at Walmart. I turned them on and pushed forward and backwards lolol.

None worked. I guess I must have looked stupid.

Cause I went over to the Lady and said WHY don't these work? She said well

ma am those are new and they are tricky. I said ok show me how to use it. She

sat on it and went forward. I said ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh that's the way you do it. I

got on it and wasn't thinking and went backwards into the wall. She said

ouchhhhhhhhh that's not the way to do it lololol. I told her well it's not for

me. It's for my step dad. She said well so far they know how to drive them as

long as you stay clear. lolol. Shoot my step dad said Robbin......I was going

to tell you that you had to sit on it first. BUT I let you go. I said well

you know I was going to just walk beside it. Just to get it over to you BUT

first time driver had a bang up accident lolol. He got on it and took off.

Robbin