I got to thinking about what my Dad did when he needed an alternative mode of transportation but wasn't ready for a wheelchair full time.

He got a scooter that he could maneuver around his house and that he could also get in and out of easily.

I don't remember the model he had but he got it from The Scooter Store and they came out to his house to measure doorways and hall width so he could get the scooter that met all his needs. He had the same one for several years so I assume he was happy with it!

Here is a link to their website http://the-scooter-store.com/

It looks like you can rent them so at least you can test them out before you purchase. Does insurance or Medicare cover any part of the cost?

http://www.spinlife.com/Invacare-Tra...er=77116725684

I am probably not going to be much help, but I bought a manual wheelchair off of craigslist like the one in the link with top and bottom cushions, like new for 100 bucks.

I have a power chair and scooter so it was a purchase made for ease of use for short trips.

I assume you have a helper pusher? Personally I couldn't use a Walgreens typical chair, its too heavy, because I do it all my own mostly. I got mine off of Craigslist, its a quickie lightweight alumnum with quick release wheels and one piece feet rest. The tires take air....basically they are bicycle rims and tires... I suggest combing craigslist.... I got mine for 500 and it is a 2500 dollar chair. They only used it for 5 months. The frame doesn't fold....its one piece but compact enough you can throw the frame into the car back seat. Its well worth it...the light chairs scoot along really nice...and the ride is comfy...air soft comfy.

Good luck hun.

Did you find you a chair yet?

Not just yet, my mother only just returned from WA laying my uncle to rest, she was gone for 2 weeks so she had to jump right back to work. But we're thinking of going to look at the TiLites next week. It's such a tough decision, especially given the cost. About the only thing I know is I'm not quite ready for a scooter or other electric wheelchair. Definitely want a manual chair.

Quickies and TiLites offer what I'm looking for as far as convience goes... Collapsible, removable wheels for further compaction and ultralight weight. Designed for chair cushions are nice, but more as an added feature, nothing I can't make for myself, so I guess it will likely come down to the comfort of the chair 'off the rack' so to speak, the less modifying I need to do to have it suit me, the better.

If the TiLites are comfortable and overall "sturdy" then I'll probably order one, otherwise it'll be off to find the nearest quickie carrier.... Failing both of those... Blowtorches and welders here I come ... I suppose...

I hope you find something that suits your needs.

I'm just the opposite. When I need to get something like this I want to be able to control it. No manual anything for me!

Colors is another good company to look into.

Basically they're wheelchairs for paraplegics that are independent. Lightweight and small as possible for easy use by someone severely handicapped but independent.

i love mine.... it rolls so smooth and very light to wheel around, even if your arms feel a bit iffy that day. I've used it at Target for the last two weeks.... I actually feel less self conscious than when I used to walk a steady, but slow pace with a cane and little laptop computer in my back pack. You know...people asking 'can I get that for you? Thats o, but with my chair I toss it out the car, throw my computer in the back and hop into it...wheel in fast and take my place in Starbucks, lol... People aren't starring on like "is he going to make it" lol...

I don't se eit as a step down or 'giving in' I see it as it makes things a hell of a lot more easy for me to get around... Feels nice to have a bit of extra energy at the end of day, because you don't spend it dragging legs all day . I do still walk as much as possible...always in and around the house and even some walks on th MUP(Multi Use Trail we have around here that is paved and people jog, bike or walk... I use the chair as pure convenience only and it makes my trips into stores and such less of a burden and 'have to'

Ill have to look into those for sure. A lot like you, around the house I still walk around, dont even use the cane 90% of the time (I know where the walls and chairs are to grab if need be) and I enjoy walking through the neighborhood in the mornings. I can generally get in about a mile or so, if I get out of bed early enough.

As the heat continues to set in, I pretty much have to do my walks before 7 am... But by about 1pm my legs are done for the day, whether I go for a walk or not. I'm still good for around the house, inside and to the front lawn, but beyond that walking is a slow and daunting task that has led to many a trip and slip even while using the cane.

Unfortunately those little slips and trips tend to shred my poor ankles and then I am stuck using the cane around the house and quite a few times I've even had to resort to bringing the chair inside to use.

But I do need a chair for grocery shopping, and such. There's just no way the legs will withstand the walking and stopping and standing in lines. I have done a few times on really REALLY good days, but then I can't get the groceries out of the car and spend about two hours on the couch dying, and at least two days to recover. The DH wanting to go to Disney....hahahaha hahahaha there's no way I can make it without a chair.

Please be sure you compare The Scooter Store's pric on the model you like with the delivered price of tbe same model from the manufacturer.

Years ago I had The Scooter Store bring out a Pride scooter for me to test. It had all kinds of paint marks on it from too many home demos. It looked like crap.

The sales guy quoted me a price $1000 OVER what the Pride company out of state quoted me for a brand new one, in the color I wanted, with FREE 2 day delivery with free set up and free instructions in my home by a Pride Authorized Rep. within 2-3 days of delivery.

I ordered the model that best met my needs. The Pride guy came and spent about an hour unpacking it, giving me driving tips outside, then inside so I knew how and when to turn to avoid damage to my house or the scooter.

The Scooter Store wanted $2800 for it, but I got the exact same model from Pride for $1800 ... and no charge for delivery, setup and instructions.

That was several years ago. Just be sure you compare and never ever give the full price. Scooter store came down $600 on their store price. I told them no, I can do better.