Rental Self Propelled Wheel Chair

[hayesdvc]

Taking 94 year old Mom to The World this fall. She is unable to drive a scooter. A wheelchair is our only option. Does anyone know of a rental service that rents self propelled wheelchair which would help me out tremendously?

TIA

 

[Her Dotness]

Any of the scooter rental agencies will have manual wheelchairs for rent as well.

 

[hayesdvc]

I am looking for a traditional wheelchair that is self propelled for my benefit as she cannot see well enough to maneuver a scooter. Will they have those, too? Thanks

 

[DisneyOma]

I am looking for a traditional wheelchair that is self propelled for my benefit as she cannot see well enough to maneuver a scooter. Will they have those, too? Thanks

Not sure what this means? Are you looking for an electric wheelchair that she drives?

 

[Her Dotness]

My understanding of self-propelled is a manual wheelchair lightweight enough the user can move it themself or can have someone else push the chair. As far as I'm aware there is no self-propelled feature other than a chair being more lightweight.

That's what I meant by the general term, manual wheelchair. Not a battery-powered chair that must be driven, in other words. A powerchair would likely be as dangerous as a scooter for someone with limited vision.

If your mom does not have/wish to take along her own padded seat cushion, be sure to ask about renting one with the chair. All the uneven decorative pavement at WDW (stone-look courtyards, for instance) can be very uncomfortable otherwise.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We’ve used Gold Mobility Scooters (www.*********************com) several times for scooter rentals. They have had great customer service for me. They also rent push wheelchairs.

 

[DVCBeachBum]

Try a Whill Ci2 model from Scoot Around

 

[Selket]

I am looking for a traditional wheelchair that is self propelled for my benefit as she cannot see well enough to maneuver a scooter. Will they have those, too? Thanks

I've never seen a motorized WC or ECV made such that has a motor that helps the other person who is pushing it. Like the self propelled mower is what you want...except with a WC you'd be pushing rather than the mower lol.

I agree with others that self-propelled for WC's means the user can push it themselves with the hands on the wheel or someone could push it for them but there's not a motor.

The safest/easiest would be to get a regular push WC and push her - can you do that? Someone here used to talk about how they'd rent their family member an ECV and walk beside it by the steering column and drive it for them and steer it. I think that would take a lot of getting used to...it worked for them but not sure that it could be recommended since it could be hard to do I'd think.

As for making her trip special - wow! What a cool thing you're taking her!! Would she enjoy anything like the dessert parties (if they are back)? Special dining?

 

[RoseGold]

I'm not sure I understand what your needs are. If she isn't able to drive a scooter, is she able to drive a motorized chair? It's still motorized, you just run into people with the chair frame.

 

[Her Dotness]

I'm thinking Selket may be correct--that the OP is wanting a feature like a self-propelled vacuum or mower--that would make it easier to push someone in a wheelchair.

Doesn't exist, I don't think, although I can certainly understand wanting something like that for an elder with limited vision who may also be unable to push herself in a wheelchair.

While wanting to take your mother to WDW is a lovely idea, OP, it may sadly be unworkable. That is particularly so if her weight would make your pushing her in a chair difficult without a wheelchair similar to a self-propelled lawnmower.

 

[bababear_50]

Taking 94 year old Mom to The World this fall. She is unable to drive a scooter. A wheelchair is our only option. Does anyone know of a rental service that rents self propelled wheelchair which would help me out tremendously?

TIA

Hi hayesdvc
Speaking from experience ,,I would say a transit wheelchair is best for a caregiver/family member who is pushing the chair.
Here is a article which explains what I mean.

https://www.feneticwellbeing.com/blog/which-wheelchair-is-easiest-to-push

If I had it to do over again I'd take a chill towel for my neck/drink lots of water/stay at a resort where I could use a hot tub in the evenings/wear sturdy running shoes (not sandals),, foam handle grip bars AND never try this again in August.

Best wishes and have a wonderful time making special memories.

 

[lanejudy]

There is an option for “power assist” on a manual wheelchair, but it still requires the user to wheel themselves. I don’t know if or how it might work with someone else pushing. I also don’t know if you could find this on a rental; maybe.

A power (electric) wheelchair doesn’t require the user to “wheel” it by pushing the wheels. It usually uses a joystick controlled by the user. It may be possible to walk beside and drive, but if you aren’t familiar with doing so it could be quite a challenge.

 

[SueM in MN]

Try a Whill Ci2 model from Scoot Around

If she can’t see well enough to drive an ECV, she would not be able to see well enough to drive the Whill

There is an option for “power assist” on a manual wheelchair, but it still requires the user to wheel themselves. I don’t know if or how it might work with someone else pushing. I also don’t know if you could find this on a rental; maybe.

A power (electric) wheelchair doesn’t require the user to “wheel” it by pushing the wheels. It usually uses a joystick controlled by the user. It may be possible to walk beside and drive, but if you aren’t familiar with doing so it could be quite a challenge.

I do sometimes walk beside and drive my daughter’s power wheelchair for her, but I’ve been doing it for many years and agree it is challenging. Some places are not wide enough to walk by the side and drive, plus if the companion is on the right side of the chair, they will need to drive with their left hand (the joystick is on the right side (which most are unless the disabled person is left handed).

There is a company that rents power wheelchairs with an attendant control mounted on the back for a person walking behind the wheelchair. My daughter had one of those on a previous power wheelchair. Although I’m really experienced/good at driving her chair from the side with my left hand, that joystick was really difficult to control. What made it really hard is that it’s a smaller joystick than usual, so a very little motion on the joystick translates to a large motion of the chair.

 

[Bete]

You may need to go to a local mobility store to understand this better. Explain what you want and see what they say. The next step would be whether or not this device would even be available for rental in Orlando.

I agree with other posters that self propelled is not really an option for wheelchairs. Even an assisted control for a power chair may be hard to rent: not every vendor will have this feature.

Don't know if you are doing this alone with your mom or not but if you have others that can help to push or assist then take turns. You can always have a rest by doing a show, parade, fireworks, or eating. Space out your activities for a rest.

There may be an available service that would push your mom in a wheelchair but that will cost you. Usually, you pay by the hour with a minimum time required (probably 4 hours) and you have to pay that person's admission to the parks and have a park reservation for them and most often if you eat then you pay for their meal, too. Also, you will not be able to spread the time to do this throughout the day. It would be 2 charges per day if you need to take a break back at the resort and then go back to a park..

 

[DisneyOma]

There is this product: https://www.numotion.com/products-services/adults/manual/power-assist-add-on
but I don't think they are rented?

Another option: https://www.ezlitecruiser.com/produ...5iDYUPvRRwimraQym5BQLM8COqs2LXHkaAkU0EALw_wcB but not sure if you can rent one of those either.

 

[Groot]

There is this product: https://www.numotion.com/products-services/adults/manual/power-assist-add-on
but I don't think they are rented?

Highly doubtful. Especially since those are only attached to customized ultralightweight manual wheelchairs and are a VERY EXPENSIVE addon. (The total price afterwards is about halfway to a custom powerchair, which at that point some people switch over to.)

Another solution is this. It mounts behind the wheelchair and aids with self-pushing. But again, I’ve only seen them on customized manual wheelchairs and they’re still an expensive option if you buy one yourself, so pretty rare to see them for rent.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I'm going to be honest OP. Not trying to be mean or discouraging.

I about wore myself out pushing my Dad around Zoo Tampa in a wheelchair. I live in Florida (in the Tampa Bay area) and work near the zoo, outside, so I am acclimated to Fl weather, and I work a physical job. He's fairly thin. And it STILL wore me out.

I have friends with kids who have powerchairs with a joystick in back to the parent can run it, but I've never seen or heard of a manual chair with a power assist, and certainly not for rental. SueM mentioned a rental of a powerchair with a joystick, that is probably your only option-but you would need to make sure she can sit safely and comfortably in it as it isn't customized to her.

 

[hayesdvc]

I want to thank everyone who took time in giving me their ideas. I will take them all into consideration!

Thanks so much again!

 

[hayesdvc]

If she can’t see well enough to drive an ECV, she would not be able to see well enough to drive the Whill

I do sometimes walk beside and drive my daughter’s power wheelchair for her, but I’ve been doing it for many years and agree it is challenging. Some places are not wide enough to walk by the side and drive, plus if the companion is on the right side of the chair, they will need to drive with their left hand (the joystick is on the right side (which most are unless the disabled person is left handed).

There is a company that rents power wheelchairs with an attendant control mounted on the back for a person walking behind the wheelchair. My daughter had one of those on a previous power wheelchair. Although I’m really experienced/good at driving her chair from the side with my left hand, that joystick was really difficult to control. What made it really hard is that it’s a smaller joystick than usual, so a very little motion on the joystick translates to a large motion of the chair.

Do you know the company that rents such a chair in the Orlando area?