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Opinions On Wheelchair Cushions


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#1 seeker

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Posted 14 August 2007 - 10:01 AM

What are your guys' opinions on these two cushions? Jay 2? Roho? We are thinking about getting a Roho for my husband (has a Jay 2 right now). :P Thanks!
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#2 jimwa

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Posted 14 August 2007 - 03:48 PM

I've been using using roho for at least 20 years, tried jay but was not able to sit nearly as many hours without pressure problem. There are different types of roho, I used low profile for many years, but now must use high profile.

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#3 KimAndSophie

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Posted 14 August 2007 - 04:01 PM

View Postseeker, on Aug 14 2007, 06:01 AM, said:

What are your guys' opinions on these two cushions? Jay 2? Roho? We are thinking about getting a Roho for my husband (has a Jay 2 right now). :) Thanks!




I used a Jay2 cushion for less than a year and had pressure sores, and spots that constantly were red. I switched to a high profile Roho Quadtro cushion about 4 months ago and haven't had a problem since. The trick is knowing how much air to leave in the cushion. Someone I know has been using Roho cushions for years, but constantly has pressure sores. It's because she over-inflates her cushions to the point that they are really hard. If you do this then obviously it's not going to work. You also have to make sure you have enough air in the cushion so you don't bottom out. After playing around with it for a few days you should find the right amount of air for you. I couldn't use a Roho cushion before the Quadtro ones came out because they were just too unstable and I couldn't sit up, but the Quadtro ones has a valve on the front so you can lock the air into four seperate chambers and it makes it a lot more stable. You can also leave it open so the air flows through the whole cushion. It's also a lot lighter than Jay2 cushions.

#4 nomis

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Posted 14 August 2007 - 11:53 PM

I've been using Jay for years but recently trialled a Roho.
I liked the lightweight of the Roho but it tended to shift slightly while I was wheeling - did not keep my body as stable as the Jay does.
Also, I found monitoring and being sure of the correct amount of air pressure in the Roho was tricky to guauge and I did not feel like I could trust it.
For me, I'll take the heavier but more stable Jay. But the Roho would make a handy reserve to take boating and on other extra activities.

Edited by nomis, 14 August 2007 - 11:55 PM.

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#5 4Wheels

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Posted 15 August 2007 - 12:17 AM

:) I''ve used the Low and High profile Roho for 25 years....

I prefer the High Profile, and now have one that's adjustable, side to side.
I tried a Jay for about 5 hours, and my but hurt like Hell.......

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#6 Simon

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Posted 15 August 2007 - 04:44 PM

ROHO ARE THE BEST - STILL!
Used them since my injury in 1983, no major problems i.e. sores you get occassional pinching from grenades etc but providing you just watch yourself when this happens (dont sit too long til it goes) its no problem. I site for 10-14/day
Tried Jay for 1 day and was red in only hours........
Remember the higher your level, the more you need Roho.
Have used Dual compartment, high profile and Quattro, high prof. Think the Quadtro edges it.
Only probs with them are cats that puncture them when your sat alone in your chair and airplanes which inflate them with the pressurised cabin. "nd is easy, just readjust it when at cruising altitude, the first is dont have cats!
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#7 Apparelyzed

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Posted 15 August 2007 - 04:51 PM

I've used a Jay 2 since my accident in 1992 with no problems.

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#8 edlee

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Posted 15 August 2007 - 09:44 PM

My experience is limited to roho, but I don't think I'll change since it seems to handle my forgetting to weight shift for hours at a time without a problem.

I've heard good things said about one called stimulite, but have no firsthand info for you
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#9 Adrian

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Posted 15 August 2007 - 11:06 PM

Jay2 for me also with no problems. I did have to use a roho as a trial and I felt quite unsteady on it compaired to the Jay2, not ideal for an active para.

#10 alyssa

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Posted 16 August 2007 - 03:54 AM

I've never heard of a Jay2. I use a RoHo Quatro. I haven't had any pressure sores or things like that. They are excellent because as a c4-c5 I can't wait shift to relieve pressure.

#11 wheels5894

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Posted 16 August 2007 - 01:53 PM

I'm with the Jay 2; great results. I have had others in the past and survived with them as well, but the jay 2 certainly works well and no sores or marks at the end of the day/

We do all do our lifts ever 15 minutes don't we? (OK, tetras excluded.) I can't think I do very often so the cushion is vital.

#12 KimAndSophie

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Posted 16 August 2007 - 04:56 PM

What I didn't like about the Jay2 cushions I had was that I kept bottoming out no matter how much gel was in them and we even tried a Jay2 recline cushion to try and solve the problem. I couldn't tell when this happened, so no matter how many times I shifted my weight around, or lifted myself off of the cushion it didn't matter. Also, I hated having to knead the gel every time I got out of my chair. I use to have to get out of my chair extra times during the day just to do this, and I was constantly worrying about if I was bottoming out or not.



With the Roho quadtro cushion when I have the air locked into the 4 seperate chambers it's just as stable as the Jay2 cushion, and all I have to do is add some air into it once a week or so. In the nights before going to bed, or in the mornings I just check to see how much air is in it, and have to let a bit of air out and add some when the flight is over when flying, but that's it. I can even remove this cushion on my own and actually lift it. Something that needed more strength than I have when I had the Jay2!

#13 wheels5894

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Posted 16 August 2007 - 08:08 PM

Actually, has anyone tried the varilite Cushions. RGK market them I think. Look here.

#14 KimAndSophie

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Posted 16 August 2007 - 09:02 PM

View Postwheels5894, on Aug 16 2007, 04:08 PM, said:

Actually, has anyone tried the varilite Cushions. RGK market them I think. Look here.




I did. I got red spots from sitting on it for about 20 minutes. I kept mine as a back up for if my Roho gets a leak, but I wouldn't trust sitting on it for any amount of time.

#15 wheeliebear75

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Posted 17 August 2007 - 08:25 PM

I currently have a ROHO quatro low profile. I LOVE it! I've had some Jay cushions in the past mostly the type with both foam and jell. I like the ROHO one better. The cushion has rows of air filled tubes that make the skin breath better. It lets the skin breathe real well.

http://www.quickie-w..._Cushion/2879p0


I think you'll have to cut & paste. SORRY Anyhow I haven't had the problems with rashes in hot humid weather that I did with the foam and jell kind. Of course the threat of punctures is something to think about.......especially if you've got cats.
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#16 QuadMedic

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Posted 20 August 2007 - 02:58 PM

I love my ROHO I did try the J2 butt it seems if my rear end just got to warm and the Gel parts to the sides and my rear ends sitting on nothing but the hard firing contour. So that is why I prefer the ROHO also because I'm a high level injury.
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#17 John Anderson

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Posted 21 August 2007 - 04:45 PM

Tried Jay, but well, I just don't like it till I got Roho. It's awesome, not cheap, but awsome. :(
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#18 Somebody

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Posted 21 August 2007 - 07:42 PM



Roho hi profile!

No comparison.
I got pressure sores on the Jay my 1st year.

If you can't shift your weight like me, then the roho is the way to go.

good luck


#19 seeker

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Posted 25 August 2007 - 08:48 PM

Well, we borrowed a Roho from surgery to just try it out, and it didn't work very well at all. He kept slipping out of it the minute we set him down on it, and there was nothing we could do to keep him in it. He has had his Jay 2 for 12 years with no problem, then he stays with me in the States in 85 + degree weather and develops 2 sores. We are going to try another one that surgery has tomorrow, and when the OT from social services gets back from holiday, we'll see what she has to say. Wish us luck!!!!
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#20 russ1

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Posted 25 August 2007 - 09:48 PM

View Postwheels5894, on Aug 16 2007, 09:08 PM, said:

Actually, has anyone tried the varilite Cushions. RGK market them I think. Look here.

I have a varilite evolution and two J2's (don't ask!) - officially the varilite is for less susceptible skin than the Jay. I have to say I much prefer the varilite because of it's weight - I've had no skin issues with either but I'm fortunate to have pretty good skin.

Had a Roho in rehab and have to agree with some others - it's esentially for those with very suscepible skin - I found it very unstable to sit on and it wouldn't suit my lifestyle in a chair at all but again I'm fortunate not to have skin that needs it.
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#21 Kev-O

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Posted 26 August 2007 - 04:45 AM

My cushion is the one were you let the air in an out. i dont know the name of it cuz i have never really thought about it. but i like it, no skin problems, the only thing is if you dont fill it for a long time it does not want to fill all the way back up. Its really light to so thats a good thing

#22 mason

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Posted 31 October 2007 - 07:21 AM

im currently using a ride cushion and it seems to be working well.

Edited by mason, 31 October 2007 - 07:22 AM.


#23 Doug

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Posted 02 November 2007 - 01:36 AM

ROHO quatro high profile all the way....my skinny butt didnt get along with the j-2

#24 KarenFerguson

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Posted 02 November 2007 - 02:16 AM

My hubby (C5) loves his varilite. He's tried many cushions and always goes back to the varilite. He doesn't really do pressure relief, but is active. Many of the guys on his rugby team had roho cushions & they liked them.

So, varilite and roho are probably your best options.
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#25 Texaswheelz

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Posted 02 November 2007 - 06:08 AM

I've used a Jay until this year and never had a sore, but I've also always been pretty active and do pressure relief more then needed. I have always hated the weight of them though. This last year when I got my new chair I got a low profile quad select roho, it's ok, but nothing special to me. I'm to worried about poking a hole in it and always get the little gadget to regulate the air caught when pulling my pants up. The trick to getting the air right is getting it where it almost seems like not enough, most people have way to much in it. Wanting to get a varilite next and try it out, talked to a rep for them a few weeks ago and he had a couple of demo's of different types of cushions, they have some that are both light, low profile and look to be comfortable.

#26 wheels1974

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Posted 03 January 2008 - 02:11 AM

I'm a C4 Quadriplegic and had my injury in 1988. I have used a Jay Cushion for 20 years. Thankfully I have NEVER had a problem with pressure sores at ALL. I sit for 12 to 14 hours a day on my Jay with NO pressure lifts at all.

The only problem im finding is when I order a NEW cushion there seems to be allot more Gel and for whatever reason this stops me from urinating. Does anyone else have this problem?

Happy New Year ALL




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