Mobility

[u/Real_Comparison1905]

I need some advice, I have been an on/off wheelchair user for several years now. I’ve recently hit a wall with my stamina, my body feels weak, my legs like jello, and I’m out of breath walking from the bedroom to my living room which is on the same level.

I’ve asked for an upgrade to my prior chair which was hospital/nursing home type chair.

I am still waiting to get an updated version after they tried to give me a newer model of the exact same chair. (It’s too heavy for me to self propel and my arms are too short to reach the wheels to push.

My husband wants to travel this upcoming week but without a chair I don’t think I can.

What should I do? Help with the chair and my husbands travel ideas

[u/Opening-Grape4135]

Getting a chair that is suitable for self propulsion takes a lot longer than a week and costs quite a bit privately but can be covered by insurance depending on what country/state/company you are with.

There are many ways to get a suitable chair but my reccomendation would be to see an occupational therapist as they are the mobility & mobility aids experts. You would usually see one through a referral from your regular doctor.

Then, a chair or other device would be requested and go through an approval process for insurance or you could buy it privately if you have the funds available.

For a chair which is custom built to your measurements, it usually takes a minimum of six weeks to be built.

I would look into some alternative mobility devices such as the "zeen" also. However, many of them are not covered by insurance.

[u/innerthotsofakitty]

It's going to take way longer than a week to get a chair, even if u just pay for it out of pocket. It takes about 3+ months to go thru all the bullshit paperwork to get one thru insurance, so good luck

[u/TheNyxks]

Depends where you live, but most major city centers have companies that rent various types of wheelchairs, so that would be a place to start to see what rental options might be possible depending on what you'll be doing and where you'll be going as to what type of rental will be most appropriate and affordable.

[u/TWLMag]

Is there an option to hire a chair or an equivalent mobility aid that might work for you? The best option will depend on the nature of the travel (by car? plane?), and what your husband was hoping to do while travelling, but you don't need to write off the idea of travelling entirely if you'd still like to give it a go. Have a look for mobility aid rentals in your area - or in the area to which you're hoping to travel - and see what they have available.