Re: power chairs/Sharon

[Guest guest]

Sharon, Where do I find a vocational rehabilitation? Did they pay for the ramp?

Or help you pick on out? Cindylouwho

Re: power chairs

I got my powerchair I think 3 years ago. I had a doctor refer me to

a " seating clinic " where I saw 2 specialists who evaluated me, wrote

all the appropriate letters to the agencies involved, and gave me a

list of providers to choose from. They recommended the chair they

thought would work best for me, and discussed the options available

for that particular chair. I chose a provider to obtain the chair

for me. I have Medicaid, and no other insurance. The approval took

2.5 months to come through, and the chair was ordered and delivered

within 2 weeks after that. Medicaid covered it 100%.

One thing to consider when getting a power chair is how you will be

transporting it and yourself around. You can't fold it up and put

it in your car's trunk! As far as I know, no insurance will cover a

lift or ramp, and most certainly won't help convert a van for

wheelchair use. I had the help of Vocational Rehabilitation there --

they got me an awesome folding aluminum ramp for my van that I can

manage pretty well on my own, and it bolted right in to the opening

of the side sliding door. While this mode of getting around worked

out well, I was also very fortunate to live in a city with an award-

winning public transportation system (Honolulu). I rode the bus

almost everywhere! It was great. Now that I live in rural

Wisconsin, the ramp and van are a necessity. I could not get around

without that setup.

just my 2cents worth

Sharon K

To learn more about EDS, visit our website: http://www.ehlersdanlos.ca

[Guest guest]

Vocational Rehabilitation is a state run organization (federally funded, I

think)

that helps disabled folks (regardless of income level) get themselves back to

work. They have helped me in so many ways, besides the ramp! They got

me in to the local technical college here, and I'm 4 classes away from a

degree as a programmer/analyst!

Anyway, Voc Rehab got me together with an independent living center in

Honolulu, and they're actually the ones who got me the ramp, with Voc

Rehab footing the bill for it. I found the ramp on the internet. It cost only

$600 or so, which is TONS cheaper than lifts and adapted vans. It fits nicely

into my Plymouth Voyager mini-van, but I do have to duck my head when I

back up the ramp and into the van. I did not adapt my van for wheelchair use

with a raised roof or lowered floor, that would cost tens of thousands of

dollars.

http://www.americanwheelchairs.com/specrampmulti.shtml

That's a ramp similar to what I got. My ex-hubby installed it for me, it was

very simple. (he's a mechanic, tho) Even without financial assistance, one of

these ramps is much more attainable than a lift. I am very happy with my

ramp.

Hope that helps!

Sharon K

> Sharon, Where do I find a vocational rehabilitation? Did they pay for the

ramp? Or help you pick on out? Cindylouwho

> Re: power chairs

>

>

> I got my powerchair I think 3 years ago. I had a doctor refer me to

> a " seating clinic " where I saw 2 specialists who evaluated me, wrote

> all the appropriate letters to the agencies involved, and gave me a

> list of providers to choose from. They recommended the chair they

> thought would work best for me, and discussed the options available

> for that particular chair. I chose a provider to obtain the chair

> for me. I have Medicaid, and no other insurance. The approval took

> 2.5 months to come through, and the chair was ordered and delivered

> within 2 weeks after that. Medicaid covered it 100%.

>

> One thing to consider when getting a power chair is how you will be

> transporting it and yourself around. You can't fold it up and put

> it in your car's trunk! As far as I know, no insurance will cover a

> lift or ramp, and most certainly won't help convert a van for

> wheelchair use. I had the help of Vocational Rehabilitation there --

> they got me an awesome folding aluminum ramp for my van that I can

> manage pretty well on my own, and it bolted right in to the opening

> of the side sliding door. While this mode of getting around worked

> out well, I was also very fortunate to live in a city with an award-

> winning public transportation system (Honolulu). I rode the bus

> almost everywhere! It was great. Now that I live in rural

> Wisconsin, the ramp and van are a necessity. I could not get around

> without that setup.

>

> just my 2cents worth

> Sharon K