Wheelchairs

[Guest guest]

I would like to add to the wheelchair dilemma. My friend a, is in a chair

and now she has three or four of them in her house and she wonders how she

could sell one or two, as the state keeps upgrading the chairs. So tee may be

a way to find out where to get used chairs somehow.

[Guest guest]

Dear Kat,

My son has a wheelchair which we use generally when he is in

the midst of a bad flare, and we also use it for when we are out and about

for any length of time because cannot walk very far without feeling

pain and discomfort even on a " good " day. We got a wheelchair without any

problem, through his GP. He has had two since then and is due next month for

an assesment at the hospital as he has outgrown this one!

I don`t know where you are, but i would have thought your childs doctor was

the best route? I`m in the UK and the wheelchair was provided free for my

son. He is also a holder of an orange badge for the car and i can claim tax

too.

Just recently i was put into contact with a physiotherapist through social

services and they have supplied my son with a bath aid as he has trouble

getting in and out of the bath, especially when a flare is active. I for one

did not realise that children could receive this sort of thing, so it was a

very pleasent surprise, and a real help for my son!

carol

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[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

I was curious to know more about what sort of bath aid you got for your

son. Can you describe it or tell us how it's used? It may be something

that would be good for us, too. Josh sometimes has a hard time getting

into and out of the bath and needs my help, especially when his

arthritis is flaring. A bath does seem to be very helpful and soothing

for him and it would be great if there was a product available that

would allow him to be more independent during the process.

Thank you

~Georgina

c cleaver wrote:

> Dear Kat,

> My son has a wheelchair which we use generally when he is in

> the midst of a bad flare, and we also use it for when we are out and about

> for any length of time because cannot walk very far without feeling

> pain and discomfort even on a " good " day. We got a wheelchair without any

> problem, through his GP. He has had two since then and is due next month for

> an assesment at the hospital as he has outgrown this one!

> I don`t know where you are, but i would have thought your childs doctor was

> the best route? I`m in the UK and the wheelchair was provided free for my

> son. He is also a holder of an orange badge for the car and i can claim tax

> too.

> Just recently i was put into contact with a physiotherapist through social

> services and they have supplied my son with a bath aid as he has trouble

> getting in and out of the bath, especially when a flare is active. I for one

> did not realise that children could receive this sort of thing, so it was a

> very pleasent surprise, and a real help for my son!

> carol

[Guest guest]

My hubby and I decided to purchase a wheelchair a

couple of weeks ago. Because of constant pain/burning

throughout my body, we thought it would be helpful to

use a wheelchair sometimes so I wouldn't have to

suffer so much. The medication I am on is not doing

too much for comfort at this time.

Does anyone else use a wheelchair? Has anyone heard of

good/bad points of using a wheelchair?

Joanne

[Guest guest]

I do not own a wheelchair, but I do use them if they are available where ever I

am, if I am feeling to weak to walk. And fatigue has been great lately.

When my Mama was alive, we would take her wheelchair and use it in places that

she could not enjoy if she were to have to walk. She got a lot more enjoyment

out of life that way than if she'd tried to have forced herself to walk rather

than accept her limitations and use the wheelchair.

I had some siblings think that a wheelchair, lift chair - any aide she had that

made her life better was going to make her freeze up and not be able to move -

when in reality, they made her life better and able to move around and enjoy her

life - as it was - she did not live past 67 due to Ovarian Cancer - so I am glad

she used the aides she had available and didn't listen to those kids of hers

that had no idea what a struggle it was to just get up out of a chair or walk a

store or a park.

Sure, I feel terrible sometimes about having to use the wheelchairs - after all

I am 43 - I should be a young chicken, right? Well my body doesn't agree.

People look at me weird sometimes and I've had clerks at stores be down right

rude to me - and we've actually quit shopping at a few places because of

rudeness to me over being in a wheelchair.

Anyway - those are my thoughts..... My opinion is - if it makes your life where

you can function and enjoy life more - then go for it..

Rose

" S. Pruitt " <seriouslysanibel@...> wrote:

We have a wheelchair for certain outings. If a destination has benches the

wheelchair gets left in the trunk. I use a wheelchair strictly for spots that

do not have places to rest. If I am feeling crappy to the point I cannot walk I

just do not go. However, there are some places, such as a local botanical

garden I love, that I could not enjoy if it were not for a wheelchair. The key

to the wheelchair, for me, is will having a wheelchair greatly increase my

enjoyment of what I am going? Can I make modifications so I don't have to use

it?

My fear is becoming lazy and wheelchair dependant. I feel that if I don't

take the extra effort to use my muscles that I still have that work, that I will

lose further function. Obviously if you are in a hurry you cannot take the

extra time to rest on a bench but I make allowances for it. I am managed ok on

medication but previous damage and deformity causes much pain and difficulty.

On a good day I walk about 10 minutes at a time but then my feet start burning

and my knees start popping.

Definitely, as I am sure you are, be proactive with your treatment. If I had

had proper treatment for the first 9 years of my diagnosis I might not have to

entertain the thoughts of a wheelchair!

Shandi

Joanne Dubnicka <windey99@...> wrote:

My hubby and I decided to purchase a wheelchair a

couple of weeks ago. Because of constant pain/burning

throughout my body, we thought it would be helpful to

use a wheelchair sometimes so I wouldn't have to

suffer so much. The medication I am on is not doing

too much for comfort at this time.

Does anyone else use a wheelchair? Has anyone heard of

good/bad points of using a wheelchair?

Joanne

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[Guest guest]

I have had a motorized 4 wheel cart for almost 12 years now, and I inherited

my grandmothers wheelchair 6 years ago. I walk when I am up to it. However,

I use both when needed.

The cart lets me be a bit more independent. But, it is more difficult to get

in and out of the van. So we usually use it on vacations, festivals, long

trips.

I often use the wheel chair as my walker. I carry my supplies ( o2 tank,

water, folding chair for husband) and then sit in it or am pushed in it as

needed. Sure folks stare- but I'd rather be able to be there for them to

stare at than home fretting because I could not go.

You can buy used ones for reasonable amounts. I have even seen them given

away on freecycle- that is if your Dr wont write an rx or your insurance

wont cover.

I say go for it- it dramatically enhanced our lives- I am able to do more

with family and friends thanks to the cart and wheelchair.

Good luck

Karolyn

Joanne Dubnicka <windey99@...> wrote:

My hubby and I decided to purchase a wheelchair a

couple of weeks ago. Because of constant pain/burning

throughout my body, we thought it would be helpful to

use a wheelchair sometimes so I wouldn't have to

suffer so much. The medication I am on is not doing

too much for comfort at this time.

Does anyone else use a wheelchair? Has anyone heard of

good/bad points of using a wheelchair?

Joanne

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[Guest guest]

Joanne,

I bought an electric wheelchair a year ago, and have not regretted one minute

of it. I have spinal stenosis which effects most of my body. I use it for work

and long term walking. Around the apartment and short term walking (or on good

days) I use a cane or crutches. I do make sure that I walk as much as possible

because I don't want my muscles to atrophy. I also baught an excerise tape from

the Arthritis foundation to make sure I do the proper exercises just to keep my

muscles " in shape " . I still get alot of muscle spasms and cramping, but at

least I can still walk somewhat. Anything to help make your life a little

easier is the way to go. My doctor also helped out and wrote a RX for it, so my

insurance company covered part of it. I went electric vs hand pushed because I

wanted a little more indepence vs having someone help me. Also, with the

arthritis effecting my arms, the strain using it at work would have created more

pain vs helping.

Good Luck, I think you made the right move. I wouldn't be able to continue to

work without it.

Joanne Dubnicka <windey99@...> wrote:

My hubby and I decided to purchase a wheelchair a

couple of weeks ago. Because of constant pain/burning

throughout my body, we thought it would be helpful to

use a wheelchair sometimes so I wouldn't have to

suffer so much. The medication I am on is not doing

too much for comfort at this time.

Does anyone else use a wheelchair? Has anyone heard of

good/bad points of using a wheelchair?

Joanne

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[Guest guest]

You are absolutely right, Karolyn...other people's glares should not deter you

from using a wheelchair. I am 31, look like I am in high school but use a

wheelchair here and there. I have gotten many glares/dirty looks but that isn't

my problem, it is theirs'. I would be more than willing to trade places with

them...they can have the pain and the chair and I will take their ability to

walk well. I tell people who give me looks about my handicap placard, " If you

take my arthritis you can have my space! " Same principle applies to the

wheelchair.

Shandi

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[Guest guest]

Hi

I forgot to mention- ya need to go to a wheel chair sales place and try the

different models and makes- some are great and others are the pits-

Don't buy w/out trying it out.... Ya may have to spend hours in it....

K

Joanne Dubnicka <windey99@...> wrote:

My hubby and I decided to purchase a wheelchair a

couple of weeks ago. Because of constant pain/burning

throughout my body, we thought it would be helpful to

use a wheelchair sometimes so I wouldn't have to

suffer so much. The medication I am on is not doing

too much for comfort at this time.

Does anyone else use a wheelchair? Has anyone heard of

good/bad points of using a wheelchair?

Joanne

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Joanne,

Hope all goes well for you. Don't get discouraged if at first Medicare and

your insurance company denies you. Mine did even with the doctors RX. It took

6 months before I was approved. My doctor had to call the insurance company's

doctor and speak their own language before I was approved.

I was upset and discouraged, but it all worked out in the end.

Nina <ncampbell@...> wrote:

linda audie wrote:

>

> >Joanne,

> I bought an electric wheelchair a year ago, and have not regretted one

> minute of it.

>

I'm in the process right now of trying to get an electric wheelchair via

Medicare and my insurance company. I can't push a chair by myself and

so I can only go out when hubby is with me to push it. It's for my

fractured vertebrae in my back, but the arthritis is so bad in my

shoulders and hands, I can't use a regular wheelchair by myself. My

doctor sent me to a physical therapist for assessment, then wrote a

prescription and included lots of medical notes to justify the chair. I

sure hope I get it. They plan to build it with memory foam in the seat

so I can sit in it for a while without my back screaming. As is, I

can't even sit in a recliner or on my bed without my back hurting

terribly. It would be nice to have some kind of life again.

Nina

[Guest guest]

Nina,

If medicare doesn't cover it try E-BAY. My husband got me a three wheel cart a

few years ago for $250.00. I take it with me when ever we go when I know there

might be a lot of walking.

LINDA

[Guest guest]

Swayne wrote:

>

> >Nina,

> If medicare doesn't cover it try E-BAY. My husband got me a three

> wheel cart a few years ago for $250.00. I take it with me when ever we

> go when I know there might be a lot of walking.

>

Thanks! I never would have thought of that. They have already started

building my chair so Medicare better cover it. Apparently the company

thinks the documentation is such that they will or they wouldn't be

building the chair. If Medicare doesn't, then they've built a chair for

nothing because I sure can't afford $7000 for it and I told that to the

company upfront. I steered clear of Hoveround and the Scooter Store

because I " ve heard their company policies are what caused Medicare to

tighten requirements for wheelchairs.

I'm one of those people who never went to the doctor before I got these

AI diseases. Now I feel like most of the time I live in a doctor's

office. And I would not take any medicine, not even Tylenol for a

headache. Now I take morphine for my back. I would never have dreamed

I would use a walker, a wheelchair, or even one of those motorized

chairs in Walmart. Now I use all of those! Amazing how pain can change

your attitude.

Nina

[Guest guest]

I use a chair when I am in severe pain and this prevents me from walking.

There is only one good and one bad point that I know of...

Pro: I can go where I need to go, stay as long as I need to stay with less pain

on me.

Con: I don't get as much exercise.

--

Ott Atla

Many people would sooner die than think; In fact, they do so.

Bertrand

---- Joanne Dubnicka <windey99@...> wrote:

> Does anyone else use a wheelchair? Has anyone heard of

> good/bad points of using a wheelchair?