OT: what brand/model wheelchair do you have?

[lizzyb5280]

Hi all!

Sorry I haven't posted over here in awhile; been spending most of my time on the November trip board, since we are leaving SATURDAY for our week at Disney World!

Anyway, I got the call today that a rep is coming out tomorrow to order me a new wheelchair. He said they work with pretty much all the major companies, so it's pretty much whatever I want to go with. Both of my previous chairs have been Quickie GPV's (current one with a Jay back and a Stimulite cushion), but I'm thinking of trying something new, either another model from Quickie or another brand entirely. So for those of you in rigid-frame manual chairs, what are you riding in, and how do you like it? (FWIW I'm a T-6 paraplegic.)

 

[SueM in MN]

MyDD’s manual wheelchairs have always been Quickie wheelchairs - I personally think they are good all purpose wheelchairs.
Her current one is a Quickie GP with a Jay Deep Contour back and a Jay Deep Counter seat cushion. The Quickie GP is pretty much the same as the GPV, but has a straight front instead of tapered. Since DD is kind of hard on her chairs because she has extremely variable tone, including very strong extensor tone, we prefer to stay with what we know.

I’ve seen other chairs at shows though and have some thoughts on what I’ve seen:
Invacare also has some nice manual wheelchairs in their lightweight wheelchairs that are part of the “Top End Everyday Chairs” category. I’ve heard good things about the Crossfire.

Colours has some of the most beautiful wheelchairs I have ever seen. Looking at their website, you can see they are designed for active users.

They are not that common, but TiLite makes very nice looking titanium wheelchairs. They also make an aluminum one. I don’t know anyone who has one, but they look nice.

DD just got a new manual wheelchair and we found an interesting new wrinkle. Inside the house and for very short distances, she can propel her manual wheelchair. For longer distances, she has a power wheelchair, which she uses mostly outside the house. She has 2 coverages - MA and private insurance. MA denied coverage for the manual wheelchair. The information we got was that because of some new rules, a person is allowed to “possess only one wheelchair.” Since she has a power wheelchair, they would not authorize for a manual wheelchair and said basically, she gets only one wheelchair and needs to use it in all circumstances. The therapists wrote up (I think) 4 different appeals. Some of the reasons we gave were that for someone with limited ability, she needs the manual wheelchair in order to maintain physical ability and get exercise. Another reason is that she is not able to sit in a chair and needs to be sitting in a wheelchair, with supportive seating at all times. We also explained that she needs a backup for her power wheelchair in situations (like visiting Grandma) where the power wheelchair can’t go and in case anything happens to her power wheelchair. Because her size is unusual (14 inches wide by 18 long), she can’t just rent a wheelchair in case she needs one.
We did finally get insurance to cover the wheelchair, but are prepared for a fight in a few years when she needs a new power wheelchair.

I am going to move this to the disABILITIES Community Board where it will be on topic and hopefully you will get more answers.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I have a TiLite and I do love it! Mostly I love the fact that it's very very light which means I can push it short distances without screwing up my shoulders (I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and subluxate and/or dislocate my shoulders regularly). I've also heard good things about Invacare's Terminator series. Personally I am a fan of titanium chairs in general because they are so much lighter than most aluminum chairs, however, they are the most expensive and can be difficult to get insurance to cover.

 

[lizzyb5280]

Thanks for the move, Sue, I forgot about the community board!

I strongly considered the TiLite, but my rep said he has had some customer support/warranty issues with them in the past. We ended up with the Top End Crossfire T6A. It's an open frame design compared to what I have now on the GPV, but it's a really unique design where the seat frame and the wheel base frame are separate pieces, so it's got a lot more adjustability for a custom fit. (I could have even gotten two different paint colors if I wanted!) Also adding some different things to aid in comfort/useability, such as the "natural fit" handrims - they're available on pretty much all the major brands -that will be much easier on my hands than the typical skinny, round ones or having to push on my wheels. I'll be sure to come back and post pics when it comes in!

 

[SueM in MN]

Sounds like you will have a really nice wheelchair. I'll be interested to see pictures.

My DD got the Natural Fit handgrips and they have made quite a difference in her ability to self propel. She won't make any speed records or be able to do long distance, but it is better in the house.
The only thing we were disappointed in was they are painted and the paint scratches easily. We went to WDW with a brand new chair and came home with scratches.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

As far as manual ones goes? I've still got my Colours Spazz as a 'just in case back up'. After about 5 years of abuse it's still in top shape. Have loaned it out to some friends that were in the process of getting their own chair and found the rentals not to fit their needs. Mine wasn't perfect for them either but a lot easier to get round with. Before that one I've had others, but those do not deserve mentioning unless we'ld open a topic on "which types/brand of chairs are cr*p".

Since end 2008/beginnin 2009 I've transferred from that one to a Colours Shockblade. Top of the bill kinda chair, nothing like it in the world. Colours is the only brand that offers a 4-point individual suspention, and actually offers multiple types of those chairs. The difference in comfort and usability between any chair without suspention and with is beyond words let alone when you get 4-point individual suspention. We decided on the Shockblade as the Boingg!! (type chair that was the first ever with this type of suspention) has one more bar on it. That bar would allow me to kinda fold my legs up in a too freaky position behind it and feel "comfy". Sure feels comfy but is so damaging with my condition that aint a smart thing. The Shockblade doesn't have that bar and thus leaves me unable to do so.

Had some other tires placed on as the "regular" options, got wheels with only 8 spokes (I kept keeping my fingers entangled and dislocated even when using protection boards etc. -part of my condition- and the less spokes or "protection", the less risk I run now) and a rubberized grip between the rim and tire itself. That not only stops me from getting my fingers entangled between wheel and rim, but it allows me to propel as I can, instead of how it "should be". I get the most "force" out of my thumbbase and now can use that by simply leaning onto that rubberized part between rim and wheel to propel.

I'm already "behind" on technology. There are so many way better gadgets out there including on making selfpropelling easier (without using any mechanicals). Can't wait to get myself some new cool things.

I'm a diehard fan of Colours. Why? Because of the options they offer and because of our national Colours dealer. That guy has the same mindset as what started this brand; "nothing is impossible, the chair needs to fit the person whatever they want to do". I can tell you, our dealer def. takes that to heart and beyond. If I need or want something that isn't "standard" (most isn't standard as it's a custom build, but you get my drift) they'll get it done. They get me whatever I want and need in a good fashion. No isn't an option. They have the same mindset as I've got and it works like a charm.

Staff of our dealer constantly tries out all kinds of new technology and gadgets themselves as half of them are 24/7 wheelchairusers themselves. The rest of them do at least one wheelchair sport, they sponsor a couple of teams so products really get tested and put through the wringer before deciding it is a good product they're willing to sell and know it upkeeps quality or they're like "not for our customers, what a cr*p". I like honesty like that, knowing they're not just in it to make a sale. If their neighbour has a better product for me, they're the first to send me back there. For me the Colours Shockblade is the best chair and it's line has proven over and over again it can't be beat when it comes to my needs and desires. Combine that with a superb dealer and you get a fan like me.


Most important thing is that you find a chair that works for YOU. Always remember that "not possible" does not excist. Even if it isn't possible with that chair, it is possible with a chair. OK, they'll not magically cure you but technology is so good nowadays you do not need to be stopped on that department. Does anything hurt? Just not feel right? Doesn't work with your way of being, living? Speak up, don't except nothing less than your perfect fit.

What kept -and always will- keep me inspired about never giving in on the "nothing is impossible" is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1SyK7RiiqY&feature=related . Folks like Aaron do backflips, go down halfpipes, you name it. Others go extreme rockclimbing and the list goes on and on. All of those things can be done with the right equipment. Technology has come so far no wheelchair has to stop any of us from doing what we'ld want to do. Money sometimes is another subject, but beyond that.................