wheelchair pad

[Deesknee]

Hi Everyone, You all have been so helpful to me in the past. Here's hoping I can find some assistance once more.
I have found my manual wheelchair is much less comfortable lately. I think I need some type of padding.

A little about the chair. It is a foldable manual wheelchair.
It seems the bars under the seat make long periods of time in the chair sore on my.... buttocks. I am able to walk some of the time, but sit alot during our vacations.

We will have a minivan this time, so no buses transferring to worry about. But, would like the option of folding the chair at times, so we don't want anything that is attatched to the chair if possible.

Ideally - a thinner cushion or pad that can either fold within the chair, fold to be put in the storage bag we have attatched to the handles of the chair. Or something on that idea. I think I will only need a thin pad.

We travel in 2 weeks. ( I know, I know, nothing like waiting until the last minute.) I haven't been in the chair long periods of time since loosing a little weight. Until the other day we went to an event that I needed it for hours and that is when I realized it isn't very comfortable any more.

So, thanks for any recommendations of types of pads/cushions, or reliable companies that are good to use for this type of accessory.

Dee

 

[Michigan]

You can find wheelchair cushions at www.sportaid.com but since you aren't a full time wheelchair user I would just go to walmart and buy that as seen on tv cushion.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I'd suggest either a foam pad from a store or to get a square of foam and put a cover on it yourself. I also know people who've used chair pads for kitchen/dining room chairs that just tie onto the back canes, but that probably won't be as comfortable as something thicker. A pillow could also help, it may just slip around a bit.

In the long-run, you might want to consider purchasing a proper cushion from a place like Sportaid, but they're not as likely to get it to you quickly. (I love Sportaid, but I have huge problems with getting items from them in a reasonable time frame.) Proper wheelchair cushions are also expensive, but even as a part-time user, it may be more comfortable in the long run than a foam pillow or pad.

 

[bidnow5]

My local CVS sells memory foam cushions for wheel chairs I bought one for my scooter it wasn't expensive and works great

 

[FortForever]

I recently bought one for my son from Walgreen's. It is part gel pad and part foam. It claims to help with weight distribution. I don't know about that, but my son says it's very comfortable. It was $70. They had the foam only kind starting at $22.

 

[sumptimwong]

My wife recently injured her knee and was hobbling around on crutches for a few days before conceding that a wheelchair would make her life easier. We got her one, but after the first day she noticed that sitting in the same position in the same chair all day long got her back side sore pretty quick.

I dug around on Amazon for a reasonably seat cushion with good reviews, and settled on this one for about $30:

(EDIT - disboards will not let me post a link until I have 10 posts.. search Amazon for "Kensington L82024")

It's about an inch and a half thick, and has some weight to it (as all memory foam does), but is very comfortable to sit on all day. Butt pain gone. It won't easily fold, but I personally think that the added comfort is totally worth it. I hope that helps.. good luck with your search Dee.

Tim

 

[Deesknee]

Thank you to everyone for the wonderful suggestions and ideas! As usual the disabilitie disboard saved the day!

I ended up purchasing the "as seen on tv" cushion. It was $20 at Walmart. So far I like it but have only used it at the mall for about an hour. I will let you all know how it works out in WDW.

 

[Deesknee]

Back from our trip. The cushion worked well. It didn't get too hot and supplied enough padding to make it so I didn't feel the bar.
I do have to go out and replace it though. ... TSA confiscated it at MCO. The gel pad in it. I could have opted for a full par down and for them to go through every item our party was carrying. Ahhh... No thank you. I'll replace the $20 pad. Lol
Thank you all for your advice and suggestions it really did help make my vaca more enjoyable.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I'd put in a complaint about what happened with TSA at MCO. I have a combination foam/gel wheelchair cushion and have never had them go through all my stuff. It sounds to me like you got someone who didn't understand how medical items are to be handled. They pat down me because I can't walk through the scanner and the wheelchair/cushion because they have to, but my bags only go through the regular x-ray machine. There is no reason it should have been confiscated. While for $20 it's not a big deal for you, my cushion was over $250 and that agent needs to learn the rules before they try to confiscate the cushion of someone else who isn't as vocal about the rules as I am, but has as expensive a cushion.

 

[Piper]

Exactly! This isn't acceptable. Medical items are exempt--and pat downs usually aren't a big deal. This is what the have to do to me because I have trouble standing without holding on to something and you can't touch the sides of the screening device!

 

[disney david]

I'd put in a complaint about what happened with TSA at MCO. I have a combination foam/gel wheelchair cushion and have never had them go through all my stuff. It sounds to me like you got someone who didn't understand how medical items are to be handled. They pat down me because I can't walk through the scanner and the wheelchair/cushion because they have to, but my bags only go through the regular x-ray machine. There is no reason it should have been confiscated. While for $20 it's not a big deal for you, my cushion was over $250 and that agent needs to learn the rules before they try to confiscate the cushion of someone else who isn't as vocal about the rules as I am, but has as expensive a cushion.

They can complain but they just say they was given a option they was not forced to do it. Most time they won't take no for an answer when they want to do a full pat down. I give the Tsa website it says the chair including pad must be inspected so if you don't want it to be it can't go through just like anything you bring trough security. So they didn't take it just because it had gel in it sounds like they didn't want to have it inspected so they had no choice to. If you complain most pulley you get maybe a sorry most likely not and they will say you had a choice you could of had it inspected and went on your way or leave it behind. Guest without wheelchairs or disabilities face that to if they don't want something inspected.


http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/wheelchairs-and-scooters

 

[KPeveler]

As previous posters have said, it is obviously a medical item and TSA is not allowed to confiscate that. I have had a gel pad in my cushion for years, and well they may not be thrilled, there's also nothing they can do.

 

[disney david]

As previous posters have said, it is obviously a medical item and TSA is not allowed to confiscate that. I have had a gel pad in my cushion for years, and well they may not be thrilled, there's also nothing they can do.

Second as I said she had options she could of let them do the pat down which other wheelchair users do and she been fine. She didn't want to so Tsa decide to maybe reach by saying it couldn't go through they should of screened it and give it back but since they most likely not going by some people definition of a medical item handle it as if it was any other item and had them give it up.


Sometimes it better to comply with Tsa it make your life easier in the long run my point is not that it was right they took it. If we got the whole story but not to expect the Tsa to give you anything more then maybe a apology. But as we all seen when their been video tape they back their agents and say they was following procurers. Their was maybe only a couple times where Tsa came out and fully apologized and took blame.

Their also getting in a lot of trouble with congress and they want them to crack the whip hard against the agents for theft and other things.

Here to show I am not trying to the bad guy here the link. To file a complaint

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelers-filing-complaint


Just don't expect much

 

[Deesknee]

They can complain but they just say they was given a option they was not forced to do it. Most time they won't take no for an answer when they want to do a full pat down. I give the Tsa website it says the chair including pad must be inspected so if you don't want it to be it can't go through just like anything you bring trough security. So they didn't take it just because it had gel in it sounds like they didn't want to have it inspected so they had no choice to. If you complain most pulley you get maybe a sorry most likely not and they will say you had a choice you could of had it inspected and went on your way or leave it behind. Guest without wheelchairs or disabilities face that to if they don't want something inspected.


http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/wheelchairs-and-scooters

I feel the need to make this clear. I DID allow them to search my cushion. They went so far as to take the gel part OUT of my cushion. I DID go through the scanner. As did my chair. My cushion DID go through the xray. They wanted to pat me down. (which honestly I could have cared less about). It was the fact they wanted to go through my traveling party's luggage. I didn't feel the need to have them go through where I put my dirty sox that I changed out of when we got to the airport, in order for them not to see when I had to take my shoes off. Ironic I know. Also, I like to be at my gate atleast an hour before the boarding. We gate check my chair, and with our DD & all our carry ons it gets confusing for me. I like to have time for my vertigo to resolve before I board the plane. THAT is the main reason I didn't agree to allowing them to search my familys luggage.
I understand for many people using medical equipment the (forgive me I know this word minimizes for some, and I don't mean to, but for me it is just this) inconvenience of having it searched is harsh. But, I feel with the way life is today, go right ahead search away. Honestly, I was more upset that they allowed me the choice. I think they should have searched my luggage. What if...
I just think there must be a better way to ensure the "gel" in my cushion was not anything that could be used for terrorist purposes.

AND this is a kicker, he DID call over a supervisor. They discussed for a substantial amount of time what the procedure was for medical equipment. I couldn't hear them, but it was obvious she was "teaching" him. I don't know if it makes a difference that it is a basic store bought cushion. Perhaps one from a medical supplier would not have attracted so much attention.
I may write a letter, so that those of you that this would be much more than an inconvenience to will have more support. But, honestly, otherwise I won't. Again, I think it must be a tough line for them on what they can search & what they can't. I wouldn't want that job. I think they could have been a little friendlier about it.
Oh, also, the supervisor was "snapping" on plastic gloves as she came over to tell me of my choices. HAHAHAHA

In the end when we got home DH opened his suitcase and found a lovely note that TSA had inspected his luggage. HAHAHAHAHA good thing for them I did laundry before we came home, else my dirty socks would have been the least of their gross experiences.

I have a lot of notes to write upon our returning. Good an bad. Regarding disability procedures and not.

Again, thanks to everyone for the wonderful advise. I know I can always count on this board to help me out.

Dee

 

[disney david]

I feel the need to make this clear. I DID allow them to search my cushion. They went so far as to take the gel part OUT of my cushion. I DID go through the scanner. As did my chair. My cushion DID go through the xray. They wanted to pat me down. (which honestly I could have cared less about). It was the fact they wanted to go through my traveling party's luggage. I didn't feel the need to have them go through where I put my dirty sox that I changed out of when we got to the airport, in order for them not to see when I had to take my shoes off. Ironic I know. Also, I like to be at my gate atleast an hour before the boarding. We gate check my chair, and with our DD & all our carry ons it gets confusing for me. I like to have time for my vertigo to resolve before I board the plane. THAT is the main reason I didn't agree to allowing them to search my familys luggage.
I understand for many people using medical equipment the (forgive me I know this word minimizes for some, and I don't mean to, but for me it is just this) inconvenience of having it searched is harsh. But, I feel with the way life is today, go right ahead search away. Honestly, I was more upset that they allowed me the choice. I think they should have searched my luggage. What if...
I just think there must be a better way to ensure the "gel" in my cushion was not anything that could be used for terrorist purposes.

AND this is a kicker, he DID call over a supervisor. They discussed for a substantial amount of time what the procedure was for medical equipment. I couldn't hear them, but it was obvious she was "teaching" him. I don't know if it makes a difference that it is a basic store bought cushion. Perhaps one from a medical supplier would not have attracted so much attention.
I may write a letter, so that those of you that this would be much more than an inconvenience to will have more support. But, honestly, otherwise I won't. Again, I think it must be a tough line for them on what they can search & what they can't. I wouldn't want that job. I think they could have been a little friendlier about it.
Oh, also, the supervisor was "snapping" on plastic gloves as she came over to tell me of my choices. HAHAHAHA

In the end when we got home DH opened his suitcase and found a lovely note that TSA had inspected his luggage. HAHAHAHAHA good thing for them I did laundry before we came home, else my dirty socks would have been the least of their gross experiences.

I have a lot of notes to write upon our returning. Good an bad. Regarding disability procedures and not.

Again, thanks to everyone for the wonderful advise. I know I can always count on this board to help me out.

Dee

Okay I am sorry I didn't know the whole story I out the complaint form in the other post. I was going to suggest if that happen to ask for a manager of screening then if not happy ask for the director or deputy director go Tsa for mco. I hope you was able to get their names. Because once they screened it and cleared it their was no reason to take it I think they did understand it being a medical equipment.

Again I am sorry a good tip for traveling is to big a pen or pencil and paper to write down names if all Tso and supervisors you come in contact. So when you get home you have a handy reminder of names dates times and also try to see what lane your in because when they go back it be easier for them to pull up cameras for let say lane five at 3 pm.