I got my hot rod colours chair a couple months ago and I've got my old gel cushion. I want to upgrade to an air cushion. My price range is around $200.00. I'm looking at the Roho's. Is there anyone out there who recommends these or something else? I'm 5'9" about 150 these days if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance...

Cheers,
Mark H

I LOVE my Roho wheelchair cushion! I definitely recommend it!

It really depends wholly upon the level of protection your skin requires. It's usually a trade off between skin protection, light weight and balance support - take any two from those three. I go for light weight and balance support and hence the varilite cushion suits me. Others go for light weight and skin protection and the roho works well - personally I really don't like them but that's because I find them like sitting on a water bed.

Decide your priorities but best advice is to talk to a professional and get yourself pressure mapped on the cushion of your choice to ensure that it gives adequate protection. Once you have the protection necessary for your skin then you can get the best of weight and balance support available.

Another thread about it here with alot of peoples input.

Cushions

Hello Mark -

I'm only a four-year "vet" to the chair, so the old-timers may be able to give you better info. Here's my two-bits:

5'10", 180lbs, legs-to-torso proportion about average, T6-T11 complete, decent upper body muscle mass. Been sittin' on a Roho quad tall cell since the hospital - zero skin problems, even with a fall that resulted in a broken hip.

I'm sold on 'em. Would recommend to anyone whose weight, level of injury, etc. is similar.

A buddy in a local sci support group has a gel product of some sort - don't know the name - but he's rapidly becoming "disenchanted" with it. He's been puttin' on some pounds, so the problem may not be with the cushion.

Good luck - definitely an important decision.

Lynn

I got an RGK chair around 5 years ago and it came with the regular piece of foam for a cushion,i got on ok with it and i just go to on a few places nearby and buy some and cut it to size,i'm 5feet 8" and 130 pounds,my chair is around 14 1/2" wide,i suppose i get away with it being pretty light,i dont eat a great deal and have hardly put on much weight in nearly 7 years of being in a chair
i never pressure relieve but i am pretty active and often lean forward a lot just doing regular stuff and it takes the wight off my butt
the foam is about 3" thick and weighs nothing at all which is a bonus!
anyone else just use foam?

I have a ROHO and I've had only one pressure sore in my 12 years of being in a chair!

I use a Stimulite sport cushion, which is (was) 2 1/2 inches thik. Now it's probably more like 1 3/4 thick, but has served me quite well over the last two years...I'm very active though, but do have to pressure release from time to time. It's great design and very light as well, but I would'nt recommend it for anyone who is a T10 or higher injury.

Anyone tried the Ride custom cushion or heard good/bad things about it? http://www.ridedesigns.com/cushions.html

I'm in the process of getting a new chair and thinking about getting the custom cushion.