RE: {MSA} Motorized wheel chairs.

March 20, 2002

Fred neurologist is checking into having a motorized wheel chair for him. I

didn't think that it would be ok'ed by the insurance because he has already

had one wheel chair from them and many of you talked about the insurance will

only get you one. This morning a called from Rehab and he is coming out

to check Fred next week to see if he needs the motorized wheel chair. He is

also bring one out to see if Fred can use one , asked his height and weight.

So we shall see if he get's one. Our last visit to the neurologist last week

didn't go to well. The dr said that the sinmet is no longer working for Fred,

but doesn't want to take him off of it only because he doesn't want him to

get stiff. Now I guess we just take one day at a time. His next appointment

is in June and Fred wants to see if the neurologist will take him off the

sinemet a little at a time, seeing that it's not working anylonger. It's the

first time that the neurologist has ever said that this is an awful illness.

How well we know. The main reason the neurologist wants the motorized wheel

chair is that Fred has fallen 13 times in the last three months. It's not the

b/p that seems to be fine, It's just the balance now that is the reason for

the falls. Will let you know if we get the ok for the wheel chair.

Take Care All

Vera

March 20, 2002

Vera,

It is more a question of new need rather than how long ago you got a wheelchair

The doctor can say that Fred has gotten to where he can not move himslf and now

needs th motorized one. Note that he may not be able to control the new one for

long, so you want to keep the old one too. It will be tough to get a new manual

chair if it goes back and they give you a motorized one.

Take care, Bill

March 20, 2002