6 replies to this topic

[cathie]

Ok so here's the problem I am currently using an older Folding manual chair (no idea it's actually age) and I'm having problems with the front casters always wanting to turn left or right but not go straight and it makes me look like i'm a drunk wheeler and is making the chair harder to wheel.
Also I'm having problems with my brakes as they keep loosening off and the right one is so stiff it is hard to put it on.
I'm currently on a waiting list to see an Occupational therapist to be measured for a proper chair (minimum 3 month wait) and have been told told that it will take at least 6 months to get funding for a chair and up to another 3-4 months to actually get a chair through the aids and appliances program. Once I get that chair from what I understand that is it for life.
Correct me please anyone if this is incorrect for Australia.
Also any suggestions would be extremely helpful as I am sick and tired of being stuck at home all day.

Cathie

[twisted_ophelia]

Yeah, here in Ontario, when the government pays for chairs, it takes at least 6 months UNLESS you pay for 25% of the chair up front out of your own pocket and then you get the chair as soon as the order comes in from the chair company ie. Sunrise Med, Ti Lite, whatever, so it ends up taking maybe a month or 6 weeks. And that's if you have your own OT already and don't have to wait to see one. I think it is awful how long it takes to get funding.

What about renting a chair while you are waiting? Can you talk to a chair rental place and see if they will give you a discount for a long term rental? Or contacting one of the various associations for spinal cord injury, etc., in your area to see if they have a "loan cabinet" for assistive devices and can lend you something?

[edlee]

The problem with all chairs,, not just old ones, is that they require maintenance. The bearings or bushings, where the casters are attached to the chair, probably haven't had oil since new,, and the bearings in the wheels don't last forever, either.

Either of those problems could cause the troubles you describe. If you have anyone around to help, have them turn the chair over for you and check the casters by spinning them. If you feel any drag,,, get out the oil can. Spin the wheels, too. there should be no drag at all,,, if there is you may need new bearings. You will have to wait for someone else to tell you where to get them, as I just found that I needed them for my old chair, and haven't as yet, looked for any,,,, lazy I guess.

It's easy to ignore doing routine maintenance on the chairs,,,, they don't have idiot lights to tell us something is wrong. Maybe they should,,, I could use them.
ed

[cathie]

T.O. - I looked into renting and that is how I ended up with this one as it was cheaper to get one second hand than to spend $200+ per month paying for a rental (which is not really doable if you're on government benifits). There is one place in the whole state that does loan equipment and you have to be referred to them by a Physio or OT and there is still a 12 month wait for equipment of any sort. Also the wheelchairs they do have are the type that you would take granny out in and not practical if you self propel.

Ed - I do regularly maintain the chair at the moment every weekend. I just had to put new tyres on 2 weeks ago. One of the problems I was told by a local repairer "is not worth doing" but that was because it would be a hassle for them to order in new brakes as that is part of the problem. The last time that I can confirm that it had a major service done was in 2005. As for getting bearings for the wheels that could be interesting as no one seems to know what brand or model the chair is and the place that last serviced the chair no longer exists.

Sorry to rant on, but I have just had a gut full of getting the run around. This should have been sorted out last year while I was doing Community based rehab.

Cathie

[Hawkeye]

A local bike shop should be able to check out and replace the bearings if needed. There really isn't anything special about bearings used on a wheelchair. The chair manufactures use the same off the shelf bearings that are in many other consumer products. Bicycles use similar sizes.

Good Luck...

Joe

[cathie]

Thanks joe.
Bike shops are also getting to be few and far between.
The closest one to me is around the corner from the shop that sells/repairs wheelchairs.
No one from either shop is willing to touch anything on the chair as it is very close to falling apart.
The only reason i was able to get my new tyres and tubes on the wheels was because my dad just took them in as opposed to the whole chair.
Go quick release axles!!!

[cathie]

Got a call back from an OT today and she has organised to come and see me next Tuesday for a home and wheelchair assessment.

Also did a lot of maintenance on my current chair today. All the wheels were bolted on so tightly that they couldn't spin properly. Had to pull apart the casters because there was so much junk and rust in them. after cleaning them up and oiling them and the quick release pins on the back wheels the chair seems to be rolling so much better. It no longer feels like I'm pushing up the world's biggest and steepest hill!

Thanks for listening to me and giving me some suggestions guys.
Will keep you posted after seeing the OT on Tuesday (well that would actually be Monday for most of you guys).

Cathie