[Blind-rollers] some good news to share

[AgapeDEW at aol.com]

Lucy, 
 
Wow, its exciting you got the funding for your chair.  Can I ask if  
Medicare, Medicaid or OVR paid for it/other funding because right now many  people 
are having difficulty getting funding for electric wheelchairs.  I  am 
having problems getting a different type of wheelchair then the one I got six  
years ago.  I had a jazzy chair but I have progressive spinal conditions  
that I need more thoracic  and cervical support then previously. I was just  
diagnosed with MS and lost my ability to walk during the first part of the  
disease.  Having these new problems becoming so severe with spine changes  the 
type of chair I actually need.  I found out a great deal of the  
information I am sharing below from an excellent mobility specialists TEAM  including 
a physical therapist, mobility specialist. and a Doctor of Rehab  Services 
of the area hospital.  Here are things I learned from them and my  life 
experiences with electric wheelchairs.  
 
There is a whole department at our hospital that does wheelchair  
recommendations so just asking every one on the internet might just make you  have to 
get a different one earlier then expected. 
 
 Things to consider... 
 
Are you going to be in the chair the entire day and not able to pivot to  
another chair to sit? If so, the seat should not be the hard surfaces but a  
soft surface with good lumbar support and a tilt feature that allows you to 
go  into a reclining feature  takes pressure off the tailbone and legs. I  
personally cannot sit in a Jazzy type chair all day. 
 
Do you need to stand to teach class, public speaking or reaching high areas 
 for your job, etc?  Some chairs even go to the standing  position. 
 
The toggle that operates each electric wheelchair can be put on either the  
left or the right arm to allow you to operate the chair.  Do you have any  
conditions  such as carpel tunnel or poor muscle coordination etc  or stroke 
that would prevent you from operating a toggle switch?  Do you  have any 
upper arm/shoulder issues that will affect your use of the chair?   I do, so 
they adjusted my toggle joystick to work easier.  
 
 Do you need foot petals that will protect your feet from sliding off  
(Jazzy's are well known for ankle injuries from people with neuropathy etc not  
noticing their feet fell off between the foot petal and the front spinning  
wheel.)  
 
Do you require support while sitting in the chair as some chairs come with  
a standard type seat belt where others come with complete support across 
your  body? 
 
 What are your housing accommodations?  Some chairs have a  sharper turn 
radius then others and must have certain clearance to get in  bedrooms and 
baths.  
 
Outside use:  No chair is made to be used out in grassy surfaces but  of 
course the wheelchairs are our "legs" so we must continue to do what we did  
before we became disabled like gardening and family picnics etc.  Jazzy  goes 
well on grass with traction tires.  
 
Definitely check out the chair to see when you lean forward, does the chair 
 tip forward?  That could throw you out of your chair.  Jazzy solved  that 
problem by putting front wheels and tip protection underneath your foot  
petal.  
 
Weight and height is also considered as some chairs have a weight  
capacity.  
 
Many people get the "scooter" type chairs thinking they are "cool" and do  
not take in consideration that it is extremely hard to get in and out of 
those  scooters if you have back and knee problems.  Also, if any cervical or  
thoracic problems, having your arms in extended position for long periods  
getting around is extremely hard and painful on your body.  The swivel  chair 
also is not easily used to eat if you have chronic back pain as you must  
literally glide yourself with the chair 45%.  Its perfect to get around  
parks, streets, and going from point A and B.  Its not something you would  want 
if in a wheelchair the majority of the day.  
 
Will you be using public transit or have a need to use tie-downs to get  
yourself to appointments and work, etc.  Wheelchairs actually can be made  
specifically to have the tie down hook under the chair for public transport or  
van accommodations.  
 
I probably will think of a whole lot more when I finish sending this email  
but I am so happy to hear that you are getting your chair.  Remember to do  
a fire drill using the chair at night to assure you can get out of your 
bed,  into the chair and out of your facility under three minutes.  
 
Please keep me posted on what you get and why you chose that model.   
Debbie Wells :-)
 
 
In a message dated 8/15/2012 3:15:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
Lucy.Alexander at state.nm.us writes:

What  type of chair are you getting?  What types of chairs do people  
recommend?  And, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?   Thanks for 
your help and congratulations!
-----Original  Message-----
From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org  
[mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Criminal Justice  Major
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 1:04 PM
To: ;
Subject:  [Blind-rollers] some good news to share

Hi, all,
Sub says it  all.
The approval went through for my power chair and I'll be getting it at  the 
end of August and beginning of September.
I'm happy and excited.
On  the days when I hurt really bad or have just experienced a seizure upon 
not  having any physical ability to move around, I can get into my power 
chair and  just go, go, go.
Because I've not been able to get anywhere with Denver  Vocational 
Rehabilitation here in Denver, Colorado, a physical therapist named  Cindy Duff at 
Denver Health Medical is willing to come out and help out with  training if 
need be.
I've taken up her offer and do welcome it as it will  take me time to get 
used to operating a power chair.
Thoguth I'd share the  good news with you'alls.
Bibi, husband Dale and the stubron son Odie  
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