[Alex_J]

I am hoping my OT and the NHS will sort me out but want to have some idea of what I want and if needs be, self fund it.

I do not need anything super or amazing as I don't go out daily due to other health issues (go out about 3 to 4 times a week). I don't need it inside all the time and I do not intend to do anything sporty with it so I was looking at the following...

Küschall Ultralite Folding Wheelchair

Küschall Compact Wheelchair

Days Active Wheelchair (I like this one)

Quickie Lxi Ultralight Wheelchair

Quickie 2HP

Quickie R2

Invacare Action 3 Self Propel Wheelchair

I do not realy want to go over £1000 if I can help it, mainly due to the fact that my budget is limited and even £1000 is going to be a push!

Anyone have any experience of these or can recommend a different one? Folding or rigid, does not bother me, just needs to be light and (as shallow as I am) look nice.

This post has been edited by Alex_J: 06 May 2008 - 11:21 AM

[Dancingdolphin]

Hi

Sorry, I don't have any experience of any of these..
just thought I'd bump it up

Good luck

K

[Emily C]

HI
I'm in the process of getting a new chair myself. I really want a Tilite, but we'll see if Medicare will cover it...or how much they'll cover. I've heard, however, that the Quickie line is a good line.
I have to start looking at the Quickie's too.

Good luck and my suggestion is to try out as many as u can!!

[Alex_J]

Thanks for the replies. Going to talk to my OT this week hopefully.

[Webwych]

Hi Alex,

I am getting rid of my Kuschall Ultralight after 7 years and I have to say I was blinded by the design and it really wasn't suitable for my needs.

I have Spina Bifida at T-12 and my balance is not great, I have weak trunk muscles and am prone to muscle spasms in my left leg. There's a tendency for the chair to jolt on the smallest irregularity in the road surface due to small wheels and a shallow seat, which made me feel very unsafe (I have kissed the pavement a few times). This causes me to tense up subconsciously to maintain balance and I get very sore muscles in my arms and shoulders .

I also have a tendency to lean to the left and I noticed the other day my arm rests are actually bent.

Spare parts can also be a big problem. My Wheelchair Repair Service reckon they couldn't get the proper parts when I needed new arm rest cushions so mine has turned into a mish-mash of 'make do' repair measures. Instead of the original allen key type fixings they used normal screws to attach the new pads (which are too big because they are not the proper make either) and they split regularly.

Of course finding a suitable wheelchair is just like finding a pair of shoes. Everyone has different needs and the Kuschall might suite you, I just wanted to let you know what you might experience if you share my level of sci and paralysis.

EDIT - I just remembered I had the Quickie R2 (I think they called it the Swift when I had it many moons ago! haha) aswell and that's great for throwing in the car, but I found it gave me numb thighs due to the seat tilt causing something to press on a nerve).

This post has been edited by Webwych: 09 May 2008 - 11:16 PM

[Alex_J]

Thanks for the reply.

Thats some really usefull information. I have my OT coming at 11.30am today so have a list and some info on some chairs to show her to see where we go from hear.

[Webwych]

Alex_J, on May 12 2008, 08:20 AM, said:

Thanks for the reply.

Thats some really usefull information. I have my OT coming at 11.30am today so have a list and some info on some chairs to show her to see where we go from hear.

Keep us posted Alex . I just got a letter on Saturday telling me that I can't have an appointment for my assessment because the waiting list is so long, but they will contact me again for weeks before the appointment date (there they go, assuming I don't have a life and I'm not going off on my hols in the near future) .

[Alex_J]

Webwych, how rubbish and unfair is that!! I think they should have to see someone within a set period of time.

Well my OT came and we talked. She got me to write a 'wish list' of what I wanted out of my chair so I listed all the things I wanted, light weight, rigid, single piece foot plate, and so on. She is going to phone the clinic up and tell them what I was and also stress why the privious chair I was given is unsuitable and the fact she has actually taken it away for my own safety. I waited about 2 months for the first chair (My OT put the request in before she told me about it so I could not back out).

I am lucky, I can and do walk round my home so although I am pritty much house bound as I can only do about 75meteres with splints on outside at least I can still live within my home so I am not an urgent case so I am expecting a good few weeks or months to wait for the chair. I am also lucky that I have an OT I see every week (for other issues as well as my back, I have an SPD) so she can measure me and has offered to take me to a local show room to have a look and try in some chairs once we have a figure that the NHS are willing to spend on me (not hold my breath on getting much, will probably have to take voucher and put some cash towards it but we will see).

Webwych, I hope you get a call soon for your appointment.

[Webwych]

Quote

Webwych, how rubbish and unfair is that!! I think they should have to see someone within a set period of time.

Well my OT came and we talked. She got me to write a 'wish list' of what I wanted out of my chair so I listed all the things I wanted, light weight, rigid, single piece foot plate, and so on. She is going to phone the clinic up and tell them what I was and also stress why the privious chair I was given is unsuitable and the fact she has actually taken it away for my own safety. I waited about 2 months for the first chair (My OT put the request in before she told me about it so I could not back out).

I am lucky, I can and do walk round my home so although I am pritty much house bound as I can only do about 75meteres with splints on outside at least I can still live within my home so I am not an urgent case so I am expecting a good few weeks or months to wait for the chair. I am also lucky that I have an OT I see every week (for other issues as well as my back, I have an SPD) so she can measure me and has offered to take me to a local show room to have a look and try in some chairs once we have a figure that the NHS are willing to spend on me (not hold my breath on getting much, will probably have to take voucher and put some cash towards it but we will see).

Your OT sounds great! The one I spoke to on the phone sounds very nice and seems the type of person who will listen to ME and not just stuff me in something I don't feel comfortable with so I am actually looking forward to the assessment.

I should have known it wouldn't be plain sailing when made the initial phone call and got an answerphone message saying 'due to staff shortages there is no-one here to take your call....'.

I'll keep you posted,

Gaina

This post has been edited by Webwych: 12 May 2008 - 07:24 PM

[Bob]

My Suggestion would stay clear of the Action 3 . I had one found it heavy and the wheel bearings not so good therefore more effort need to push it .

Just got a Quickie Neon ( folding ) excellent chair , I did spec it up with quite a few extras but you should be able to persuade your NHS Trust as the base chair can be bought under £1000 .

I did try the Kuschell's before I decided on the Neon but for me Neon was a far better chair .

Hope this helps , Good Luck

[Webwych]

Bob, on May 19 2008, 10:22 AM, said:

My Suggestion would stay clear of the Action 3 . I had one found it heavy and the wheel bearings not so good therefore more effort need to push it .

Just got a Quickie Neon ( folding ) excellent chair , I did spec it up with quite a few extras but you should be able to persuade your NHS Trust as the base chair can be bought under £1000 .

I did try the Kuschell's before I decided on the Neon but for me Neon was a far better chair .

Hope this helps , Good Luck

Bob, that Quickie Neon looks nice, and I see it has an option for push handles. Is the back height adjustable?

I've just downloaded the .pdf brochure and I see there's a 'swing away' version which individual foot plates which I need because I have on leg shorter than the other. I don't suppose you know if they are height adjustable too?