Help the clueless, where do I buy a wheelchair?

[poohnpigletCA]

It took me a little while to come to the place but I think dd6 needs a wheelchair. She has poor muscle tone and for the most part does fine. However, there are days where she simply cannot walk through the grocery store or Costco. I have been using a stroller or putting her in a shopping cart but she is simply getting to big.

It would not be something she would use on a daily basis just as need or for larger walking places like Disney.

I found several lightweight ones on Costco's website but I honestly do not know what I should be looking for?

Also, when I talked to a friend about this it really bothered her that I would be sending some sort of message to my daughter that she is not capable of walking?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[canopynut66]

It took me a little while to come to the place but I think dd6 needs a wheelchair. She has poor muscle tone and for the most part does fine. However, there are days where she simply cannot walk through the grocery store or Costco. I have been using a stroller or putting her in a shopping cart but she is simply getting to big.

It would not be something she would use on a daily basis just as need or for larger walking places like Disney.

I found several lightweight ones on Costco's website but I honestly do not know what I should be looking for?

Also, when I talked to a friend about this it really bothered her that I would be sending some sort of message to my daughter that she is not capable of walking?

Thanks for any advice.

Walgreens also has a site and they will then deliver as well. would a stroller help as can rent those in the parks and use a resort hotels wheelchair to and from parks if needed. Or you can call one of the scooter rentals and get a larger stroller for her and have 24/7 while you are there and they will deliver and pick up when you check out

 

[greengeen]

You should have no problem getting a wheel chair if your daughter's doctor has recommended and/or prescribed one. If not, all I can say is WHY? If there is a problem that has not been diagnosed, please, please take her in now to see a doctor. It's not normal for a 6 year old not to be able to walk through a grocery store.

 

[poohnpigletCA]

You should have no problem getting a wheel chair if your daughter's doctor has recommended and/or prescribed one. If not, all I can say is WHY? If there is a problem that has not been diagnosed, please, please take her in now to see a doctor. It's not normal for a 6 year old not to be able to walk through a grocery store.

Sorry I did not go into great detail about her medical history. Among other things she has hypotonia that could have been a result of methylmalonic acid levels in her blood. She has had occupational therapy and physical therapy and is in the regular care of a pediatrician, geneticist etc.

She does not require a wheelchair full time. She attends school and has extracurricular activities. However, there are occasions perhaps at the end of the school week or on PE days that she does get tired very easily. I can no longer carry her and she is to large for a stroller. I am just looking for something that I can use on the occasion that she needs it.

 

[brat]

Please get her to write-up a scrip for one.Of course you can go to the adaptive mall but going to your local medical supply store you could get DD fitted.Ebay often has both SN strollers and WCs.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I agree with brat. You really need to get a prescription and get her fitted for one that fits her correctly even if it's something she needs "only" for distances. The lightweight ones that you can get cheaply at Walgreens or Costco are likely going to be far too big for a 6 year old and aren't going to be very comfortable for her either. Also, if this is a long-term issue that isn't likely to get any better, a wheelchair could give her a more freedom and starting her with one now that's really fit to her will help build up an ability to use one if she needs it more later. Even if she's okay at school, is she too tired to do much after school?

 

[peemagg]

I think I would look for a special needs stroller for a 6 year old instead of a wheelchair if she only needs it once and a while. There are strollers out there that will hold a child up to 100lbs and more. Do a search for special needs strollers or go to adaptive mall and take a look at one of them. It might be a better answer for your daughter than a wheelchair and would probably work for her longer than a wheelchair for a growing child that doesn't need one all the time.

 

[Mary976]

The special needs strollers sound like they could be a good fit your needs. Otherwise, we've always gotten DD fitted for her chairs at the clinic where she sees the PT. They have a "wheelchair clinic" where they measure her and she can try different chairs, cushions, etc.

Mary

 

[Bete]

I would make sure it's a travel one (folds up nicely) and it has a safety belt. I'd go for a light one.

Most people will say bigger wheels in the back help to move easier; so, get the biggest possible.

If you go to a local medical store you can try many wheelchairs to see how you like it and how she likes it. Just because you are looking at wheelchairs there doesn't mean you have to buy it there.

 

[tinytreasures]

talk to her dr and get a script for one
I will take a little time (figure 3 months or so) but you shouldn't have a problem. We just ordered our children one for exactly the same reason as you stated.
we ordered both of them Quickie 2's

 

[bouncycat]

I have a quickie and LOVE it. I made my own seat cushions for it, since it was given to me, but I agree with everyone else, get her measured and a script for it. It'll be better if it's made for her. The quickies are light, and it's easy for me bo wheel myself when need be, so that's a good brand to go with.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

Please get her fitted for one. We need our children to be comfortable. Plus insurance should pay for it if you have a doctor's order.

The doctor can help you pick a durable medical equipment supplier and you can work with that company and get the proper wheelchair/stroller.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others that you should contact her doctor to get a prescription. Check with your insurance - some will pay most of the cost, some will have a fairly large co-pay and since it is the beginning of the year, you may have to meet a deductable first. In your insurance policy, you want to look for "Durable Medical Equipment" because that is the category wheelchairs fit into.
Since she is already working with PT and OT, they can be helpful in getting a fitting done and advising you (you will need to contact a vendor and invite them to the fitting usually, but your OT or PT will likely be able to help you with appropriate vendors).

I agree with the suggestion for an actual wheelchair. A special needs stroller will work, but it make your 6 yr old dependent on you. Even if she can't propel her own wheelchair independently, having a wheelchair rather than a stroller will make her more independent. The size of the wheels makes a difference up to a certain size (you want them to be big enough for her to propel), but there are other things - like exactly how far forward the wheels are located and angling of the wheels that can make the wheelchair easier to propel. (This is called camber - where the top of the wheels are closer to the wheelchair and the bottom is farther away.) I can't remember how much camber my DD's wheels have, but it does make quite a difference compared to when her wheels were more flat.