13 replies to this topic

[Dunraven]

I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question but I'm confused. My husband will be returning home from rehab soon and I'm unsure of what wheelchairs he will need. The rehab hospital has ordered a rigid wheelchair (Quikie GT), but since it doesn't fold, it won't fit in my car. Do most paraplegics have a folding chair they use when they go out (movies, dinner, dr. appts. etc) or do we need a vehicle that we can fit his rigid wheelchair into?

[Apparelyzed]

Are you aware that the back folds down on the wheelchair, and it has quick release wheels?

This would enable you to put the chair on the back seat if it doesn't fit in the boot.

Regards

Simon

[Trinity]

 Apparelyzed, on 09 February 2012 - 08:41 AM, said:

Are you aware that the back folds down on the wheelchair
Simon

Not necessarily! That's an option I think you have to chose, I don't have a Quickie but my backrest doesn't fold down, It's fine for me as i don't drive so am not loading it in and out a car (it fits in the boot or on the back seat fine though with the wheels removed obviously)

I don't think you'll find many people who are fans of folding chairs

[Apparelyzed]

Thanks Trin, I thought they all folded down, as it makes sense!

(Are you sure yours doesn't just need oiling!)

Simon

[ClaraTaylor]

My Quickie GPV and Bromakin (whose back also didn't fold down) sat comfortably on the rear seat of my car with the wheels off if the boot or passenger seat was full. Especially if you slide the front side forward before you put it in and then slide back once it's all sorted. Just carry a towel with you in case of muddy wheels.

What vehicle do you own?

Rigid chairs (to me) always felt much more secure and comfortable than the folding chair I tried. I spent most of the time in the folding chair scared it was about to collapse on me.

[Apparelyzed]

Now that confirms the solid back, as I know Clara owns an oil can!

Simon

[qbounce]

My Colours, rigid chair is very much like the Quicky.

Our family car is a hatchback, Dodge Magnum. The chair fits perfectly in the trunk with the wheels on. It's nice to not have to break it down if it's not necessary, but most often, those who drive on their own have to break their chairs down (take off the wheels).

[Dunraven]

Thanks everybody, I'm much less confused. I drive a decent sized sedan, so without the wheels, the chair should fit in the backseat or trunk easily. I'm also going to suggest to the folks at the rehab hospital that they discuss this with all their patients and family at the family planning conference they have two weeks before discharge so people don't needlessly worry about something that turns out to be trivial.

[mcjane]

Rehab should definately discuss these things with the patients and caregivers. My experience with them and the providers is that everything is considered top secret highly classified information.

I have a Quickie GTX and it folds. It's a good manual chair. They told me in rehab that I was eligible for a power chair due to my age and arthritis but that would make transportation a problem. Guess they didn't know about Tuffcare Challenger, a really great power chair that is portable. There should be STANDARDS in the industry. One good chair, like the Volkswagon...the people's chair. Something durable and reliable and easy to fix since being without your chair is worse than being without your legs.

[isobar]

I have a Quickie 2 which folds and has quick release tires it's very nice to have the option if room in the vehicle is tight.

[Dovely]

I truly believe a rigid chair gives u a much better feeling of safety.. I do own a folding chair which i use when I travel. But it doesn't compare to my rigid ones. They are much eaier to push and feel more stable.

[McTavish]

Well you learn something new every day, I have been in a chair now for nearly seven years and I thought they all folded down. I have never seen one that does not. No company that I have got chairs from has ever mentioned this to me.

[wriggley]

id rather have it rigid than folding as i seem to have a habit of snapping the hinge. i tend to pretty busy im not that kind to my chair as ive discovered kuschalls are pretty and take up minimal space but are rather brittle/fragile

[Tinbasher]

Another benefit of a ridgid frame is that less energy is wasted by the flexing of a folding frame.