Subject: motorized wheelchair

[Guest guest]

Hi Lou,

I was interested in your message for a few reasons. First because Gordon is

having more of a problem getting around with his walker and I'm having more

of a problem pushing his 210 pounds around in our light chair. I've been

wondering if a motorized wheelchair would work for us. Did you consider one

of the motorized scooters or are they more difficult? I'll be interested to

hear about your progress with the chair. I also was interested that you got

it through the VA. Gordon recently registered with the VA because his neuro

just went there. Do you know whether they have someone (an OT or whoever)

who comes to the house to help determine what you need or do you get that

person privately? I'm just beginning to think about what else the VA might

offer other than prescriptions and his Dr. and trying to figure out where to

get the info. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Janet

> Sam just received a top-of-the-line motorized quickie wheelchair from the

> VA. It does everything, reclines, has remotes, shoulder guides to keep him

> from slumping seat belt, head rest, etc, but I am having such trouble

> running it. I tried it myself at the lowest speed and careenedi into all

> the walls, gouging them, etc. when turning corners, and find it extremely

> hard to work with. I am mechanically challenged. I doubt that he will ever

> be able to use it, as his hands don't work well, but outside (in the

> wide-open spaces) it will be a big help to me, though the neighborhood will

> probably be terrorized. It seems so awkward, and is much longer than his

> manual chair, so I find it very hard to navigate. And certainly it won't

> go under a table, but actually, he seldom comes to the table anymore, eats

> in bed or in his lounge lift chair. Our house is a regular house, not set

> up for disabilities, though we have done all the safety bars, ramps,

> removed doors, etc. Tell me, do people out there really use these within

> the house? I am at my wit's end with this monstrosity, which is now parked

> in the dining room where I don't have to look at it all the time. Thanks

> to all those out there with their understanding and experience. Lou R.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lou,

I was interested in your message for a few reasons. First because Gordon is

having more of a problem getting around with his walker and I'm having more

of a problem pushing his 210 pounds around in our light chair. I've been

wondering if a motorized wheelchair would work for us. Did you consider one

of the motorized scooters or are they more difficult? I'll be interested to

hear about your progress with the chair. I also was interested that you got

it through the VA. Gordon recently registered with the VA because his neuro

just went there. Do you know whether they have someone (an OT or whoever)

who comes to the house to help determine what you need or do you get that

person privately? I'm just beginning to think about what else the VA might

offer other than prescriptions and his Dr. and trying to figure out where to

get the info. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Janet

> Sam just received a top-of-the-line motorized quickie wheelchair from the

> VA. It does everything, reclines, has remotes, shoulder guides to keep him

> from slumping seat belt, head rest, etc, but I am having such trouble

> running it. I tried it myself at the lowest speed and careenedi into all

> the walls, gouging them, etc. when turning corners, and find it extremely

> hard to work with. I am mechanically challenged. I doubt that he will ever

> be able to use it, as his hands don't work well, but outside (in the

> wide-open spaces) it will be a big help to me, though the neighborhood will

> probably be terrorized. It seems so awkward, and is much longer than his

> manual chair, so I find it very hard to navigate. And certainly it won't

> go under a table, but actually, he seldom comes to the table anymore, eats

> in bed or in his lounge lift chair. Our house is a regular house, not set

> up for disabilities, though we have done all the safety bars, ramps,

> removed doors, etc. Tell me, do people out there really use these within

> the house? I am at my wit's end with this monstrosity, which is now parked

> in the dining room where I don't have to look at it all the time. Thanks

> to all those out there with their understanding and experience. Lou R.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Marilyn and Jean for the VA nformation. I guess I now need to get on

the phone and the net and try to find out what I need and how to get it.

I've been feeling like the guy without a secretary who was so busy answering

phones and taking care of everything in the office that he didn't have time

to hire a new secretary. Guess it's time to check my priorities and get

busy.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Thanks Marilyn and Jean for the VA nformation. I guess I now need to get on

the phone and the net and try to find out what I need and how to get it.

I've been feeling like the guy without a secretary who was so busy answering

phones and taking care of everything in the office that he didn't have time

to hire a new secretary. Guess it's time to check my priorities and get

busy.

Janet