buying a wheelchair

[wildwood]

Good evening all I am trying to find some where to get a wheelchair at a resonable price , my father inlaw has terminal brain cancer and really need to have a wheel chair our hospital have said they can not supply one and they are on a limited budget any ideas would be gratefully recived

 

[PoppyAnna]

Two months ago my youngest daughter broke her leg badly, the NHS would not loan me a wheelchair either. They suggested I put a plank of wood under a buggy seat I spent quite a few days hunting down a rental wheelchair. As my DD is only four years old I need a paediatric wheelchair with a raised leg, this was tricky to find but whilst I was searching I found there are plenty of rental companies that will be suitable for you. May I also suggest you look on ebay, there were some new wheelchairs for sale on there for very good prices.

However, if I were you my first stop would be the Red Cross. The Red Cross do provide a wheelchair loan service in many areas of the country, they pulled out of my area due to lack on funding but you may get lucky. Secondly, I would suggest you contact your local health authority community services. Many have a wheelchair service that operates outside of hospital services.

I strongly feel this is something you shouldn't have to pay for, it is particularly a problem for families with children that break a leg and are too young for crutches, I still had another child to get to school etc so I had to resort to paying to hire one.
If I won the lottery I would set up a charity that hires wheelchairs.
Good luck

 

[LoriABil]

Wildwood,

Try Salvation Army stores and Goodwill. The Red Cross may have resources to help as well. Also, If you have a hospice with a consignment shop, a lot of times these places will have Wheel chairs.

Poppyanna (hope that's spelled right) for children, you need to check with AMBUCS. Out local chapter provides wheelchairs to kids free, and PTs will usually donate their time for fittings.

Wildwood, you might try a local AMBUCS, too. We don't donate for adults here, but that doesn't mean your local chapter won't. HTH!

 

[wildwood]

thanks for the leads guys really appericate it will give them a call x

 

[joolz1910]

My MIL got one from our local freecycle group. They have these across the country.

 

[Jets fan]

Hi

Towards the end of his life my dad borrowed quite a few bits through the local healthcare services. He got absolutely loads of info from MacMillan Nurses, so try contacting your local branch.

Good luck
Tina

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Does he have a blue disabled badge? If so he qualifies for a free one through Motability.
Let me know if 'yes' and I will dig out the contact details.