5 replies to this topic

[kdenon01]

Hey everyone! My fiance is c5-c6 for about a year and a half now. He is finding himself torn between his manual and power chair. He acts as though he wants to be in his manual chair...because it will make him stronger, he looks better in it...etc. But he only gets in it when we go places, and then when we get home I have to help transfer him into his power chair. I find it to be much more convenient in his power chair...he is able to do alot more for himself. But have any of you also been stuck between 2 chairs? And if so do you think it is time for him to just pick one already!

I am also wondering which would be easier to drive in. He will start driving soon.

[jimwa]

I've been a chair user c6 quad 38 years and thought alot on same lines. The exercise of pushing has kept me in better shape but can limit me at times. Six months ago I started using xtender assist wheels and am very pleased as i can go places that were difficult before. There are some drawbacks - battery life( see another whole thread on power assist.) I drive from chair - manual w/extenders.

jim

[Bulky]

My 'house/flat terrain' chair is a manual and my other chair is a power assist (e-motion). I have a ute (pick up) that cranes (Bruno) either chair into the ute's box. To transfer between chairs, I have a transfer bench in my garage. I love both my chairs because for me they are like two pairs of shoes; one pair for indoors one pair for outdoors. Having said that, some people power assist all the time. I can't because with an 18" a$$, the e-motions wont fit in the house......

PS - E-motions are freak'n' awesome!

[Texaswheelz]

I think it would be wrong to try to get him to pick just one. Of course it will be more convenient for you if he would pick one and that one being the power chair, but you have to understand where he is coming from. As you said he gets to use his own muscles when in the manual and feels that he looks better and also probably feels better about himself. Are you wanting to take that away from him?

[kdenon01]

Quote

Are you wanting to take that away from him?

NOWAY! Not at all. I was just wondering.

[Joed]

Recently I've found myself in a kind of 'No Man's Land' when it comes to my w/c. I use a power chair at home...it makes it sooo much easier to attend to daily household tasks, etc.

When out, I don my full brace and crutches...sometimes, on a good day, I'll use my single-point cane. But my good days are fewer and farther in between, and lately I've been using my crutches exclusively while out and about. I have more endurance with my crutches...can stand in lines longer, etc. The crutches prevent me from carrying items, however, and limits the use of my hands. (You should've seen me trying to hide Easter eggs early Sunday morning! It must've been hilarious to any onlookers.)

Anyway, I think it's time for me to get a manual in addition to the power chair I keep at home. There have been too many times when I've had to cut an event short because I simply don't have the steam to get back to my car.

So....all this to say that I think it's probably a good idea to have the flexibility that having both a power chair and a manual would provide. I like the analogy given by Bulky...it's like having two pairs of shoes...each with their own purpose.