light weight transport wheelchairs-which one?

[Inkmahm]

The last time we took my mom to WDW was in 2002 and she used one of the electric carts. She hated it though as they were difficult for her to control and stop. She was always afraid she'd run someone over!

We are taking her again in March and the original plan was for her to use her walker with the seat so she could rest as needed. She had her right knee replaced last summer but now her left knee is getting worse rapidly. That surgery won't be until July to replace her left knee. In the meantime, we have the March Disney trip. She also has bad back pain from arthritis so walking for any great distance is very hard for her.

I think we have decided to buy her a lightweight wheel chair to use on this Disney trip and hopefully trips in the future. I think we'll get use from it around home, too, where we can take her to art fairs, the state fair, etc. that are outdoors and a lot of walking required. She usually just sits somewhere to wait for us but I'd rather she be able to enjoy all of the activities with us.

So, my quesiton is, what do you think about this chair?
http://www.amazon.com/Lightweight-T...l-Wheels/dp/B000JEOIN2/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_title_1

We like the bigger back wheels, light weight, folding ability, breaks, pack that fits on the back to hold stuff. Mom likes the idea that it comes in red! Any of you that have wheelchair experience see a problem with this chair that we may be missing?

Thanks for your help!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Inkmahm, first of all; I can't look into your financial situation. If I look at a chair like this the first reaction I have? This is a great chair for short moments use like getting from a car to the house etc. Not for using it for a couple of hours a day, for instance at WDW. It's not comfortable, to say the least. With her bad back, she will even feel worse than 'normall' sitting in such a chair for hours. And somehow I really have my questions about a transportchair being comfortable enough for you guys to push around for a longer time.

If I read about her problems (and her age which tells us she might have some more problems with walking as aging can do), I'ld go for a more comfortable chair. It's not like that one operation is going to magically 'fix' everything. If she'll be going with you (or anyone) on longer days after the surgery, she'll probably still benefit from a wheelchair.

I'ld be looking for a foldable manual chair for incidental usage. They're more expensive, but also a lot more comfortable for both her and whomever pushes the chair. I'm not familiar enough with the US market to advice types of chairs, but I know the 'quickie 2' is a chair in that range that gets used a lot for that purpose overhere. I've had a quick google-moment and found prices of around $1000,- . Not a small amount, but there are ways of getting the price down. Buying straigth from the importer/manufacturer is one. With the right companies you'll be able to get the discount the dealer would otherwise get, which can add up big time. Also it might be very worth it to check sites like E-bay for somebody who gets rid of their chair because of needing a chair for daily use etc. Things you'ld want to keep an eye on are meassurements. She won't need a chair that fits her needs to the half inch like we every day users do, but a chair that is inches to big can become uncomfortable when using it for a longer time.

Don't get yourself hung up about details like a bag. With a proper backpack or tote you'll be able to hang a standard bag up there. Way cheaper also! If you're used to the chair, you'll find yourself hanging just about anything on the chair and it not falling all over the place. You don't even want to know how much stuff and how big I can move around with my chair.

Don't get too hang up about colour either. Since you'll be buying, you can do anything with the chair you seem fit. Buy a chair, take the fabric parts of (very easy, just onbolting some things), and get it painted, airbrushed, sprayed, whatever she likes. Can be done as cheaply as $25,- , depening on the type of paint used and who's doing it (you/friend versus getting it done in a bikeshop) I'm a wheelchair pimping Diva, so I know where she's coming from. But really; don't let it be a main deciding factor, leave that up to comfort and usage. Colours can be ajusted in each and every shade she likes with a little DIY.

My advice; try things out before buying as much as possible. More and more companies have renter/loaner chairs, even for these types of incidental usage chairs. Have your mom sit in it like she would on a WDW day. Go shopping or something, and see if she can manage without getting more pain and if you as the one pushing can manage. Sometimes there can be a lot of difference between two chairs that you wouldn't have thought so big when reading about them/seeing them.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for the advice! Mom can normally walk okay with a cane at home, just not great distances. In the house she doesn't even use the cane. At Disney, she'll be okay walking for short distances (to get on rides, etc.) but just doesn't have the strength to walk fast at all or for very long periods. Just standing in line is hard on her back, too. She tends to lean too much rather than stand up straight and that makes it worse.

I was going by posts on the DVC board where people got these wheel chairs for a WDW trip and loved them. (Not necesarily this particular model but this type of chair.) We could rent a chair at Disney but I thought it would be nice to have something that folds and is so lightweight that we could actually use it. We have a regular wheel chair at home from my grandma but it is SO heavy that there is no way I can lift it in and out of a car. It's the light weight that is the draw for buying a chair rather than renting one. We figured it would be easy to haul on trams at WDW, etc.

$1000 for a chair that will get used rarely really isn't in the budget. $200 or $300 would be.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

PS, if money is tight, getting a good cushion can get the transport chair more comfortable. Only thing I'ld look out for then if her back gets enough comfort. That might be doubtfull, so very worth to give to combination a try first before buying.

 

[Inkmahm]

Hmmmm... we were already thinking about a pad for the chair but maybe a sheepskin or something for the back, too, would make it more comforable? Are there such things as pads for the back of the chair?

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Don't be fooled (spelling?) too much by the term 'light weight'. That term can mean as much as '3 pounds lighter than the standard version'. 3 Pounds isn't too much for her type of use and you pushing it. In the 'light weight' chairs, even in the same type, the totall a chair weights (and more important; how light it roles/pushes) can vary a lot per chair. For instance, I'm using a light weight manual for every day use. There are chairs out there called light weight, that are about 25 pounds (yep.........), and then there are those that are half of that. The tip is to actually look at the weight in numbers and if that mentioned weight is with or without wheels (yep, some mention weight without wheels......). If possible; try a chair before buying.

The chairs I've seen as a loaner at WDW are very basic foldable chairs for incidental use without a cushion. Adding a cushion will make them a lot more comfortable if I look back on the days when I used that type of chairs. That would only might still leave her back. Does she like a cushion or something in her back?

Real benefit to getting her own chair would be that she be guaranteed a chair and take it everywhere with her (opposed to it happening the chairs at the resort being all gone and needing to go to a park first to get one). Also ofcourse using it at the airport and at home.

Personally, I'ld be on the look out for somebody that is selling their foldable incidental chair. And try some chairs at a local rental company. You'll be able to tell what she and you prefer and that will make buying online/from a picture more reliable.

If that oppertunity doesn't hit before the trip, you can allways get the transport chair and upgrade it with cushions. But I would really try such a chair for a day before buying it. I'ld rather invest a couple of dollars to be sure than to buy a chair and find out you or she can't use it to the way you find needed. You've allready got one chair hanging around to trip over.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Lol, we're talking in circles.

Sheepskins are definately more comfortable. The fabric of these chairs tend to sweat a lot, yukkie! Something as simple as a sheepskin, towel, piece of cotton between the person and the chair can really upgrade comfortability. Especially if you're going in the hot months.

There are special cushions and pads for the back, but they're relatively expensive. I think you would find it too expensive (I do myself ). Sitting cushions are another thing, but for the back they tend to somehow make it more expensive. You could try some every day cushions etc. at home and see if she likes anything. Maybe spend a day at Target. Get a rental chair, and go to Target to try out some cushions from the home department.

When I still had my incidental chair, I found myself most comfortable using an every day (bit bigger) cushion ment for a coach! It was about $15,- or something, but it saved pain. But comfort is very personal, especially when health and pain kicks in, so trying isn't bad.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have talked to people at the parks who rented transport chairs like the one you are looking at. Most of them liked the transport chair a lot because it was lightweight and easy to push/transport.
Transport chairs are not meant for everyday, all the time use, but for someone like your mom, who will be using it for outings. She also would not be sitting in it all the time, but could get out and walk for a change of position. The big positive of a transport wheelchair is that they are easy to transport in a car trunk.

Transport chairs are lightweight compared with the type of wheelchairs you can rent at the parks - those typically weigh 40-50 pounds. That type of wheelchair is usually the alternative to someone who uses a wheelchair for the type of use your mother does. And, a transport chair is definately lighter and easier to get into a car trunk than the park-type ones. The seat and back on both the transport and park-type wheelchairs are sling type (similar to a director's chair).

The Quickie 2 is about 25 pounds, depending on what other 'pieces' you add. My DD's old manual wheelchair was a Quickie 2 and the 25 pound weight typically only includes the wheelchair frame and standard wheels. Things like armrests and footrests are additional weight. My DD's footrests were about 2-3 pounds each and her armrests were about a pound or 2 for both of them. So, the actual weight of a light weight chair can be closer to 30 pounds, once you add everything to it. The basic wheelchair includes a sling seat and back, that is a little more padded than the ones on the more basic wheelchair. A a 'better' seat would be an added cost. Quick release axels (pop off wheels like some bicycles have) are standard, but you may have to pop them off to fit the folded wheelchair into a car trunk.

My DD's current manual wheelchair is a Quickie GP, ultralightweight wheelchair, which weighs about 21 pounds. But, again, that is without the added things like her footrests, armrests and seating system. It is noticeably lighter than her old wheelchair though. It comes standard with a seat similar to the other Quickie 2. Because it is a rigid frame, it folds in a different way and we have found we usually have to pop the wheels off to get it into a trunk.

My suggestions:

• - for the type of use you are describing, I would not spend the money for a $1000 wheelchair. Those are meant for people who use it more than incidentally. My DD lives in her manual wheelchair and/or her power wheelchair. Even though the 'basic cost' of her Quickie GP was around $1000 for the frame, once all the things she needs are added (the footplates, armrests, anti-tip bars, and her specialty seat and back), you are looking at a $5000 wheelchair. I just think a $1000 wheelchair for what you describe as your mother's needs is overkill.
  - I would see if there is someplace where you can actually see and try some wheelchairs. See how they push, see how comfortable they feel to her for sitting.
  - If you do decide to buy one online, check into the return policy. If it doesn't work for her, would you be able to return it? Is there a restocking fee? Would you have to pay return postage?
  - I would not buy a used one unless you can see it and really take a good look at it/try it. Some people might sell their custom wheelchair, but the size of the seat can vary a lot, because with a custom wheelchair, you order the size you need. They might not note that in the sale and you may not know it's way too wide until you get it. It's also really hard to see condition from photos. Something that looks really good in the pictures might not be so good in real life.
  - For the type of use you describe, I would look more at a transport chair, just because you will not be using it every day and it will be easier to transport in a car trunk than a 'regular' wheelchair, even a light weight one. Going to a place that sells wheelchairs would help you to see the differences between the different types of wheelchairs for yourself so that you can decide.
  - Also look at the seat size. I noticed the transport wheelchair you found has a seat that measures 19" wide by 16" deep. That may fit her just fine, but if it's not the right size, it might be uncomfortable. A too wide wheelchair may not give side to side support and she may not be able to use the armrests well. Here's a link to a website looking at wheelchair seat size/depth..
  - You can buy things like memory foam backs and wheelchair cushions at prices from reasonable for a basic cushion to costing as much as some people's whole wheelchair (which is the type my DD needs).
  - the bag that is included in the transport one is not very expensive, but we have always just used a regular backpack.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm going to move this to the disABILITIES FAQS board, since it is a more general subject.

 

[Inkmahm]

I have talked to people at the parks who rented transport chairs like the one you are looking at. Most of them liked the transport chair a lot because it was lightweight and easy to push/transport.
Transport chairs are not meant for everyday, all the time use, but for someone like your mom, who will be using it for outings. She also would not be sitting in it all the time, but could get out and walk for a change of position. The big positive of a transport wheelchair is that they are easy to transport in a car trunk.

Transport chairs are lightweight compared with the type of wheelchairs you can rent at the parks - those typically weigh 40-50 pounds. That type of wheelchair is usually the alternative to someone who uses a wheelchair for the type of use your mother does. And, a transport chair is definately lighter and easier to get into a car trunk than the park-type ones. The seat and back on both the transport and park-type wheelchairs are sling type (similar to a director's chair).

The Quickie 2 is about 25 pounds, depending on what other 'pieces' you add. My DD's old manual wheelchair was a Quickie 2 and the 25 pound weight typically only includes the wheelchair frame and standard wheels. Things like armrests and footrests are additional weight. My DD's footrests were about 2-3 pounds each and her armrests were about a pound or 2 for both of them. So, the actual weight of a light weight chair can be closer to 30 pounds, once you add everything to it. The basic wheelchair includes a sling seat and back, that is a little more padded than the ones on the more basic wheelchair. A a 'better' seat would be an added cost. Quick release axels (pop off wheels like some bicycles have) are standard, but you may have to pop them off to fit the folded wheelchair into a car trunk.

My DD's current manual wheelchair is a Quickie GP, ultralightweight wheelchair, which weighs about 21 pounds. But, again, that is without the added things like her footrests, armrests and seating system. It is noticeably lighter than her old wheelchair though. It comes standard with a seat similar to the other Quickie 2. Because it is a rigid frame, it folds in a different way and we have found we usually have to pop the wheels off to get it into a trunk.

My suggestions:

• - for the type of use you are describing, I would not spend the money for a $1000 wheelchair. Those are meant for people who use it more than incidentally. My DD lives in her manual wheelchair and/or her power wheelchair. Even though the 'basic cost' of her Quickie GP was around $1000 for the frame, once all the things she needs are added (the footplates, armrests, anti-tip bars, and her specialty seat and back), you are looking at a $5000 wheelchair. I just think a $1000 wheelchair for what you describe as your mother's needs is overkill.
  - I would see if there is someplace where you can actually see and try some wheelchairs. See how they push, see how comfortable they feel to her for sitting.
  - If you do decide to buy one online, check into the return policy. If it doesn't work for her, would you be able to return it? Is there a restocking fee? Would you have to pay return postage?
  - I would not buy a used one unless you can see it and really take a good look at it/try it. Some people might sell their custom wheelchair, but the size of the seat can vary a lot, because with a custom wheelchair, you order the size you need. They might not note that in the sale and you may not know it's way too wide until you get it. It's also really hard to see condition from photos. Something that looks really good in the pictures might not be so good in real life.
  - For the type of use you describe, I would look more at a transport chair, just because you will not be using it every day and it will be easier to transport in a car trunk than a 'regular' wheelchair, even a light weight one. Going to a place that sells wheelchairs would help you to see the differences between the different types of wheelchairs for yourself so that you can decide.
  - Also look at the seat size. I noticed the transport wheelchair you found has a seat that measures 19" wide by 16" deep. That may fit her just fine, but if it's not the right size, it might be uncomfortable. A too wide wheelchair may not give side to side support and she may not be able to use the armrests well. Here's a link to a website looking at wheelchair seat size/depth..
  - You can buy things like memory foam backs and wheelchair cushions at prices from reasonable for a basic cushion to costing as much as some people's whole wheelchair (which is the type my DD needs).
  - the bag that is included in the transport one is not very expensive, but we have always just used a regular backpack.

Thank you SO much for all the advice! I'm still really leaning towards the transport chair because mom CAN walk, just not for great distances. We talked about it last night and she pointed out that she'd be able to use the wheelchair like a walker part of the time, holding on and walking behind it but using the chair just to steady her. I hadn't thought of that myself. We'll bring her cane, too, so that if we can park the chair at an attraction and have her walk through shorter lines with us she can do that with the cane.

We have a medical supply store near us so I think I'll send her there to see some of the wheelchairs. The weight makes a huge difference as I'm not that strong of a person myself and I can't lift a 40 or 50 lb chair. For Disney, my DH will be with us so he'll be there to help. But at home, if we want to use the chair to be able to take mom to art shows, etc during the summer, my DH isn't always there. I have to be able to life it myself.

Mom is only about 5 feet tall and 145 lbs. She doesn't need a big chair at all. I think a transport chair with maybe an extra pad will work but we'll have to put her in one to see. I'm not sure if you meant the 19 inch wide chair that we found is too wide or too narrow? I think airline seats are skinnier than that and she is fine in planes, but we'll check to make sure that size seat will be big enough.

Thanks again for all the great information!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm not sure if you meant the 19 inch wide chair that we found is too wide or too narrow? I think airline seats are skinnier than that and she is fine in planes, but we'll check to make sure that size seat will be big enough.

Thanks again for all the great information!

I meant it's something to be aware of.
The 'old' standard wheelchair width was 16 inches, but the width has been increased to 18-19 inches as Americans are getting heavier. The hospital where I work had been ordering 16 inch wide wheelchairs as the standard, but recently changed to 18 inch wide.
If she's small, she may find she has more wiggle room than she likes in a 19 inch wide seat, especially if it's the sling style. So, that would be something to try out. If the wheelchair she likes seems too wide, you can always do something with a seat cushion or with thin pads added to the ends of the seat (Not sure if this makes sense, but it would make the space narrower).

 

[Inkmahm]

Ah, I get it now. She is going to go sit in a few chairs tomorrow after the snow is done here today. No sense going out when she doesn't have to. I told her the chair size and that she should pay attention to the ones at the medical supply store to see which fits her best. She thinks her insurance may cover a chair so she will call them tomorrow, too. I'm doubtful because she really can get around in most casts well enough with her cane or the walker with the seat.

 

[SueM in MN]

Ah, I get it now. She is going to go sit in a few chairs tomorrow after the snow is done here today. No sense going out when she doesn't have to. I told her the chair size and that she should pay attention to the ones at the medical supply store to see which fits her best. She thinks her insurance may cover a chair so she will call them tomorrow, too. I'm doubtful because she really can get around in most casts well enough with her cane or the walker with the seat.

I see you are in Wisconsin. I'm in the Twin Cities, MN (but originally from Wisconsin. It snowed here today, but has stopped now, so hopefully you will have good weather tomorrow.
A lot of insurance companies won't cover the wheelchair unless the person also needs to use it in their house.

 

[Inkmahm]

I see you are in Wisconsin. I'm in the Twin Cities, MN (but originally from Wisconsin. It snowed here today, but has stopped now, so hopefully you will have good weather tomorrow.
A lot of insurance companies won't cover the wheelchair unless the person also needs to use it in their house.

We're in the 6 to 10 inch zone and probably have about 8 inches so far- still snowing, too! As long as it stops by morning so I can get to work.

I'm guessing it won't be covered because the wheelchair really isn't needed. It would just be a nice convenience for trips to Disney, etc. Definitely not needed in mom's home. She doens't even use her cane in the house.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I just thought I'd throw a few things in myself (better late than never).

Firstly, cushions! I would invest in a good seat cushion if I were you, as it can make a huge difference on comfort. I bought a really nice thick cushion a few months back and my backside has been much happier since . The back cushion, I think, doesn't make quite so much difference (though she may feel differently with her back problems). I would suggest you look at the sort of cushions designed for outdoor seat, that have straps to fasten them onto the back of the chair. I have this cushion which fits nicely on the back of the chair (I don't usually use it there, but it fits all the same). She might also want a cushion to support her lumbar. Basically, keep padding until she's comfy!

Next, adjustments. Make sure you take plenty of time adjusting all the features of her chair to suit her. If the footplates are even a little too high, or too low, it can make you very uncomfortable after a while. Play around with different settings to see what suits her best. Also, it may sound obvious, but make sure she is wearing shoes when you do the adjustments, as they can make a fair difference. Also, carry a tool kit with you at all times (normally a couple of allan keys and a spanner (wrench) will be enough), in case something works itself loose. My chair has a small pocket in the back that I keep my tools in, so they're always with the chair.

If you buy one with pneumatic tires, make sure they are always well inflated. Transport chairs often have four solid tires, which removes this problem, but some don't. Even just a small change in pressure can make a big difference in roll resistance. Hmm... that reminds me, my tires are getting pretty soft, I'd better do something about that.

If she's going to be using the chair as a walker, make sure you put something in the seat to balance her weight. As the handles on a chair are further back than on a walker, they can be prone to over-balancing, especially on hills (listen to the voice of experience ). Normally a rucksack / backpack / bag will do the trick, though you may need to experiment a little with weights before you find one that works well.

Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[Inkmahm]

I just thought I'd throw a few things in myself (better late than never).

Firstly, cushions! I would invest in a good seat cushion if I were you, as it can make a huge difference on comfort. I bought a really nice thick cushion a few months back and my backside has been much happier since . The back cushion, I think, doesn't make quite so much difference (though she may feel differently with her back problems). I would suggest you look at the sort of cushions designed for outdoor seat, that have straps to fasten them onto the back of the chair. I have this cushion which fits nicely on the back of the chair (I don't usually use it there, but it fits all the same). She might also want a cushion to support her lumbar. Basically, keep padding until she's comfy!

Next, adjustments. Make sure you take plenty of time adjusting all the features of her chair to suit her. If the footplates are even a little too high, or too low, it can make you very uncomfortable after a while. Play around with different settings to see what suits her best. Also, it may sound obvious, but make sure she is wearing shoes when you do the adjustments, as they can make a fair difference. Also, carry a tool kit with you at all times (normally a couple of allan keys and a spanner (wrench) will be enough), in case something works itself loose. My chair has a small pocket in the back that I keep my tools in, so they're always with the chair.

If you buy one with pneumatic tires, make sure they are always well inflated. Transport chairs often have four solid tires, which removes this problem, but some don't. Even just a small change in pressure can make a big difference in roll resistance. Hmm... that reminds me, my tires are getting pretty soft, I'd better do something about that.

If she's going to be using the chair as a walker, make sure you put something in the seat to balance her weight. As the handles on a chair are further back than on a walker, they can be prone to over-balancing, especially on hills (listen to the voice of experience ). Normally a rucksack / backpack / bag will do the trick, though you may need to experiment a little with weights before you find one that works well.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Thanks! Mom did go try the wheelchairs at the local medical supply store and even checked into the insurance paying for one for her. No such luck as she doens't need one for in the home. The chair that was $325 at the medical supply place was $153 delivered from ebay. She loves it! Ordered it Wed morning and it arrived on Thursday. Really speedy service. Took it to mom yesterday and she tried it with one of our boat cushions, which she liked. Adjusted the footrests for her and put the tools in the pouch on the back. Now we just need to get a backpack for the chair. The chair does have the 4 solid wheels so no worry about keeping air in the tires. We'll remember the part about putting weight in the seat when she wants to use it as a walker. Thanks for the tip!

 

[SueM in MN]

We'll remember the part about putting weight in the seat when she wants to use it as a walker. Thanks for the tip!

Glad to hear you found something that worked.

When my younger DD was smaller and was able to sometimes walk behind her wheelchair, we used her older sister as a counterweight. It worked very well, but I'm sure we were sometimes the subject of "I saw another child in that wheelchair earlier in the day." (Despite the fact that DH was walking very close behind and I was within inches to the side to make sure DD who was walking didn't get into trouble.)

A backpack should be enough as a counterweight for the most part.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks! Mom did go try the wheelchairs at the local medical supply store and even checked into the insurance paying for one for her. No such luck as she doens't need one for in the home. The chair that was $325 at the medical supply place was $153 delivered from ebay. She loves it! Ordered it Wed morning and it arrived on Thursday. Really speedy service. Took it to mom yesterday and she tried it with one of our boat cushions, which she liked. Adjusted the footrests for her and put the tools in the pouch on the back. Now we just need to get a backpack for the chair. The chair does have the 4 solid wheels so no worry about keeping air in the tires. We'll remember the part about putting weight in the seat when she wants to use it as a walker. Thanks for the tip!

I had to come back to this thread and post how well the wheel chair worked for us on our trip last week. My mom LOVED it. She did no walking at all, just sat in the chair. She never stayed back in the villa, she went everywhere with us from early morning to late night. That chair I'm sure made a huge difference in her enjoying the trip. The grandkids loved taking turns pushing grandma, too. I did the pushing when the crowds were heavier so I got a bit more exercise in, too.

The chair worked so well I didn't even have to twist my mom's arm to agree to come back to WDW with us in December with two more of her grandkids. I highly recommend it for anyone who really doesn't need a chair all the time but can't possibly do all the walking that Disney requires.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the report of how things went. I'm glad to hear they went so well that she's coming back with you.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for the report of how things went. I'm glad to hear they went so well that she's coming back with you.

Me, too! Mom was very skeptical about this trip but not having to walk made all the difference in the world. We also learned that her own chair was much more comfortable than the ones for rent in the parks. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is set up very strange so that when you get off the ride, your wheelchair has been returned to the beginning of the ride. To get there, you use one of Disney's free wheelchairs at the ride exit. Mom hated that wheelchair, said it was very uncomfortable even for just a short time. The fishing cushion we had on the seat for her seems to have made her chair much more comfortable.