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My Wheelchair Story (:


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#1 Vanessamaee

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 10:24 PM

So I know I have started a thread explaining the issues I went through trying to get my wheelchair. It was ordered too large and also came with many incorrect features (I think they mixed my chair up with someone elses). I got it in august and it was taken back the next day since so many things were wrong (back height, casters, cushion, foot rest, brakes, Angle of the frame, handles and it didnt come with fabric guards... also the frame was too large). I was told I would get the chair back in 2 weeks. a month and a half later my mom called asking where my chair was "Oh its sitting in the back room with all the parts on it. It should be ready in about a week" is what we were told. 2 weeks later, no chair. So my mom called again. The guy set up an appointment to bring the chair back, fixed. Well he showed up with it... and nothing was fixed except it came back with no cushion at all and there were these huge brake extenders on it??? I dont know if any of you guys have seen those but they look like giant elephant tusks coming out of the wheelchair. I wish I wouldve gotten a picture with them on. He took it back, said he'd fix it, be back in 2 weeks. month later my dad calls (he can be scary) and told them that if they are unable to get me my chair in a timely manner we are going to withdrawl and go somewhere else (we have been talking to our insurnace through out all of this about it). The guy told my dad that they are unablet o fix my chair since it was the frame that was made incorrectly so we needed to do a new seating evaluation. He came over the next day, I told him EXACTLY what I wanted, he sent the order to the sunrise rep while he was sitting in my living room. and the chair was suppose to be ordered the next day. WELL the order got lost, go figure. The chair was suppose to show up 2 weeks (whats up with the timing of 2 weeks?) after the new seating eval. 2 weeks pass, my dad calls very irritated. They find out the chair was never ordered. They then put it on rush order and over night delivery. I JUST recieve my new chair Tuesday of this week, just put the new tires on it today, and have got everything fitting perfectly (: The company also handled everything very well. They admitted it was their mistake, they paid for the replacement chair and the difference between it and the original. They also paid for the rush order and over night shipping. I am overall (now) very pleased.

[attachment=12359:loaner chair.jpg]
the loaner chair

[attachment=12360:white chair.jpg]
The first chair after a little bit of cosmetic surgery (this is with an attempt to fix the casters and that was the loaner chairs cushion on it so my cat could sleep while the guy was working on the loaner chair... yes the cat is spoiled... this is also after I removed the brake extenders, anti-tips, arm rests and handles...)

[attachment=12361:Wheelchair.jpg]
My new chair (:

Edited by Vanessamaee, 16 December 2011 - 10:31 PM.


#2 dreamerr

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 11:07 PM

Finally and congrats. I don't know why you are happy they paid for there own mistakes. I wouldn't have given them a cent if they asked. A rush order ah three months if I added right was not a rush at all.

Bottom line is I hope everything is the way you want it now and you like the chair.
I know I will always have a seat:)

#3 edlee

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 11:14 PM

Nice chair,, but I gotta tell ya,, I liked the spinergy wheels better. I'm guessing that your cat approved???

Nice having a chair that fits, isn't it. Glad to hear that you finally got through the mess.
ed

#4 Vanessamaee

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 11:21 PM

View Postedlee, on 16 December 2011 - 11:14 PM, said:

Nice chair,, but I gotta tell ya,, I liked the spinergy wheels better. I'm guessing that your cat approved???

Nice having a chair that fits, isn't it. Glad to hear that you finally got through the mess.
ed

Oh those are the same spinergy wheels! I LOVE them!!! no way I could get rid of them (: its hard to see in the picture but they have the yellow spokes still (: I just changed the tires from blue to black (: Same wheels in every picture because I was given them for free from a guy who had an extra pair and didnt want them anymore! (: They are amazing.

View Postdreamerr, on 16 December 2011 - 11:07 PM, said:

Finally and congrats. I don't know why you are happy they paid for there own mistakes. I wouldn't have given them a cent if they asked. A rush order ah three months if I added right was not a rush at all.

Bottom line is I hope everything is the way you want it now and you like the chair.

They rush ordered the Black chair, after all the nonsense that we went through with the white chair. a process of a total fo 6 months. but the black chair from when it was (actually) ordered to when I got it was only 5 days.

Edited by Vanessamaee, 16 December 2011 - 11:22 PM.


#5 randomryan007

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 11:38 PM

congrats it took me 10 months to get a chair. and still isn't right. I had to call my OT to get her on them to get the right back :) the verilite ICON LOW. so happy that she intervened. because I was getting so sick of dealing with them.

All in all glad you finaly got you chair. looks good did you get clothing gaurds? I have spinenery in black and love em! you should take more pics. whats the spec's on your chair?

#6 Vanessamaee

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 11:49 PM

[attachment=12362:wheelchair2.jpg]
Thats the front (sorry I dont know how to turn the picture... :/ )

[attachment=12363:Wheelchair wheels.jpg]
Thats the spinergy wheels (:

Specs are 16x16, adjustable height tension back (I think I have it set at 8 inches?? which is the lowest, 12 inches is the highest.), 80 degree frame (to the foot plate) 17 inches in front 16 inches in the back (Im pretty sure... Might be 18 and 17...)No camber, I have a Ride Forward cushion (which I absolutely LOVE) Spinergy wheels (but those didnt come with the chair, the regular gray knobby ones on metal spokes is what came with it.) I have an adjustable angle foot plate, no seat belt, anti tips, or hand grips. and yes I got fabric guards (: I think that covers it all...

Edited by Vanessamaee, 16 December 2011 - 11:50 PM.


#7 randomryan007

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 12:23 AM

very very nice you saw pics on mine didn't you? I swear I'd die if it didn't have 6 degree camber. its what I have been using since I went into a chair!

Edited by randomryan007, 17 December 2011 - 12:24 AM.


#8 Vanessamaee

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 12:27 AM

View Postrandomryan007, on 17 December 2011 - 12:23 AM, said:

very very nice you saw pics on mine didn't you? I swear I'd die if it didn't have 6 degree camber. its what I have been using since I went into a chair!

Yes I saw pictures of yours! Have you gotten the whole back situation sorted out? and I really like camber on my basketball chair (well the one I am borrowing has 20 degrees) but I didnt like it so much on the everyday chair... thats why I opted for none (:

#9 randomryan007

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 12:29 AM

no I am still working on my back. my OT just ordered a varilite ICON back today!

#10 Vanessamaee

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 12:42 AM

View Postrandomryan007, on 17 December 2011 - 12:29 AM, said:

no I am still working on my back. my OT just ordered a varilite ICON back today!


Well that is exciting and I hope you are pleased with the outcome!

#11 HaYn

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 06:12 AM

Exact thing happened to me it took me a 1yr n a half to receive my chair.....insurance sucks n wheelchair vendor soooo busy...so worth it though! Mines a TILite aero z w/a matrx back roho cusion and emotion power assist wheels m15....life changing im glad i didnt rush it! Is urs a aero z

#12 Vanessamaee

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 06:29 PM

View PostHaYn, on 17 December 2011 - 06:12 AM, said:

Exact thing happened to me it took me a 1yr n a half to receive my chair.....insurance sucks n wheelchair vendor soooo busy...so worth it though! Mines a TILite aero z w/a matrx back roho cusion and emotion power assist wheels m15....life changing im glad i didnt rush it! Is urs a aero z

No this is a quickie Q7. I really like it (: It took a little adjusting to but so far so good (: still fixing little things like trying to find the "perfect" angle for the foot plate but I absolutley love the chair

#13 Zack

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 08:39 PM

wow it looks real nice ! It's always Good hearing a Good ending! I'm Glad you love it Vanessa. :)
Jimmy D

#14 kansasmom

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 10:43 PM

Looks good. Congratulations! C's chair will be with him on Tuesday. I think I called United Seating every single week for a progress report after I heard your story. Maybe it kept them moving along - we've only waited about 2+ months since his fitting. Fingers crossed that everything will be as ordered and there won't be too many adjustments!

#15 Vanessamaee

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Posted 17 December 2011 - 11:39 PM

View Postkansasmom, on 17 December 2011 - 10:43 PM, said:

Looks good. Congratulations! C's chair will be with him on Tuesday. I think I called United Seating every single week for a progress report after I heard your story. Maybe it kept them moving along - we've only waited about 2+ months since his fitting. Fingers crossed that everything will be as ordered and there won't be too many adjustments!

I hope he gets it and is happy with it Tuesday! I also hope he liked basketball practice! He caught on really well, especially on defense! And trust me the chair makes a HUGE difference, he was keeping me blocked on some plays and he was in a huge clunker chair!!!

#16 kansasmom

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Posted 18 December 2011 - 12:40 AM

View PostVanessamaee, on 17 December 2011 - 11:39 PM, said:

I also hope he liked basketball practice! He caught on really well, especially on defense! And trust me the chair makes a HUGE difference, he was keeping me blocked on some plays and he was in a huge clunker chair!!!
Yes, he had a good workout! And he enjoyed himself. I too thought he did a good job on defense. We'll be back I'm sure, hopefully with his new chair :)

#17 dreamerr

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Posted 20 December 2011 - 05:19 AM

V glad everything worked out chair looks great cept for the fact that I am dizzy now from sideways pic lol.
You put a lot of thought into exactly what you needed I wish I did before I got mine.
I know I will always have a seat:)

#18 isobar

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Posted 20 December 2011 - 07:15 AM

They seemed to cause you and your family a lot of distress i'm glad you've finally got your chair and you're happy with it.
LITUT = "Life Is The Ultimate Teacher"

#19 Bethann

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Posted 20 December 2011 - 12:21 PM

View Postdreamerr, on 20 December 2011 - 05:19 AM, said:

V glad everything worked out chair looks great cept for the fact that I am dizzy now from sideways pic lol.
You put a lot of thought into exactly what you needed I wish I did before I got mine.


I wish I'd of given a lot of thought with my chair too when it was ordered.
It wasn't to long after my accident that left me in a chair when my therapists
ordered my chair for me. Never asked my in put on anything. Wish I'd of
spoken up but I was pretty messed up at the time and didn't know any better.

Glad V is so happy with her chair!

#20 coffeecups

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Posted 20 December 2011 - 02:09 PM

So glad you finally got the chair that you want and fits you properly. Enjoy!




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