[sandim123]

[i] Hi,
I just recieved my first powerchair , manual chair and scooter this past week. I had a PLIF/TLIF L4-5 fusion surgery in March of 2006 for a spondololysthesis and central canal and foraminal stenosis. I developed a post op case of Cauda Equina Syndrome that my surgeon completely missed, leaving me increasing problems, from bladder and bowel problems, to seriously hampered ability to walk, or even stand for any period of time, and tons of nerve damage. I also have a permanent total foot drop, which requires an afo and a 5 prong cane to walk. Even with those things, I still can't get around very well.
I had a revision surgery in August of 2007 to try to relieve some of the compression of the nerves and to fix the failed fusion which also failed.
My PM/physiatrist finally talked me into considering a mobility scooter last October, and it took me awhile to come to the realization that I needed it, since I can't walk more than 50 feet or so before these nasty muscle spasms hit and drop me to the floor, which are getting more and more frequent as time goes by.
Anyway, I was referred to a rehab consultant by my insurance and he recommended a power wheelchair , manual lightweight chair, and of course , the scooter. I had a lot of mixed feelings about these but they came this past week and I love them.....
I have a Permobil Corpus 300, with a lot of customization to it, and a ProSpin X4, also with seating customization and sport type wheels, and the Scooter....
I am not very good at explaining the customization or the terms for the different parts of the chairs, so I am not even going to try, but thought that I would introduce myself and my chairs.
I hope that I am welcome here.....
It's been a long, difficult journey learning to accept all that I can't do now, but hopefully, these new wheels of mine will let me at least get out and into the real world again some .
So far, I love all of them.....have a hard time choosing one over the other since they all seem to have a job to do, and so far, are doing it quite well.

Here is a link to the pictures of my new chairs.....My chairs
Sandi

[Tired of hurting]

Well no wonder your confused, getting them all at once. Welcome to the forum glad you found us. I had a manual chair until my arms spasmed up. Then went to a Quickie GT with power rims. You barely push and they just go. I can get out by myself. I worked hard each day. I would push further and further until I was a few miles from my house. Remember you have to push back HaHa! So use the one that gets you out with the least amount of pain. Enjoy life! Go out and look at the beautiful trees and the season.Stop and smell the flowers even if you have to pick it. Share your smile with others. Everyone is fighting their own battles..

This post has been edited by Tired of hurting: 20 April 2008 - 07:22 PM

[sandim123]

Tired of hurting, on Apr 20 2008, 03:20 PM, said:

Well no wonder your confused, getting them all at once. Welcome to the forum glad you found us. I had a manual chair until my arms spasmed up. Then went to a Quickie GT with power rims. You barely push and they just go. I can get out by myself. I worked hard each day. I would push further and further until I was a few miles from my house. Remember you have to push back HaHa! So use the one that gets you out with the least amount of pain. Enjoy life! Go out and look at the beautiful trees and the season.Stop and smell the flowers even if you have to pick it. Share your smile with others. Everyone is fighting their own battles..

Thanks for the welcome Tired. Any ideas about funding a ramp? I checked with our local Center for Independant living, but my husband makes too much money apparently for them to help me. I wish that he made as much as they seem to think we do, we have 4 kids, and money doesn't go very far.
I'd love to be able to take my power chair outside but have no way of getting it into and out of the house.
My manual chair is pretty lightweight as far as that goes, and it pretty easy to manuever so far. The scooter has a heavy dual battery, at least I think it's dual so I have to have someone with me to help put it and take it out of the scooter...
Sandi