I had my eval today for a power chair.

The rep recommended either the Permobil C300 Corpus or the Quickie Freestyle Full.

He is coming back on Thursday with both for me to see, test out in home and thru yard to car.

Wondering if anyone has any insight on either of these?

I require truncal support so need more a rehab type seat rather than standard captains seat.

on another note, i am also trying to find a minivan conversion to purchase so that I can transport the power chair. can't with my current vehicle. fingers crossed i can find a van soon. fingers crossed whichever powerchair decide on insurance will approve first time and not deny just to prolong the process.

I really would love to have the powerchair and van by Mid January so I can take the powerchair on the cruise I am going on Jan 27. <G> a girl can dream right that everything will happen quickly, and no problems and have both by then right? LOL

thanks

***I am posting this in several forums hoping someone somewhere will see it and know something about either of these chairs.

Marfla, I used Ride-away to have the hand controls installed on my car. They are experts in van conversions etc. www.ride-away.com They have many locations on the east coast. Give them a call, I'm sure they can direct you to a local vendor.

You can always rent a scooter from www.scootaround.com. I usually rent a scooter when we fly so I don't have to worry about transporting the scooter and/or having it damaged by the airlines. I've also rented from scootaround for a cruise.

Hope this is helpful. Betty

I have already made contact with the local ride a way in Tampa. Actually he called me yesterday he has a van for me to come check out. Now to figure out how to get over there between work.

If I don't get the power chair and/or van before the cruise I will just take my scooter I have already. It's just bulky for inside buildings, elevators, etc.... so hoping for the powerchair to take.

again thanks and glad to hear someone else has used ride a way before.

thanks

I recently purchased this caddy scooter. http://www.evrider.com/caddy.htm

It is absoluetly wonderful for traveling. Very light weight, folds up easily, and can be transported with minimal problems. I keep mine in the back of my station wagon. It's so easy to handle I have no problems asking a total stranger to help me get it in or out of my car. I've been told the airlines love it since it folds so compactly.

Good luck with your adventure. If your interested in a Caddy, PM me and I'll send you the web site I bought it from. Mine was $1,050 with free delivery.
Best thing I've ever bought to maintain my independence.

Good luck with your decisions. Betty



http://www.evrider.com/caddy.htm

thats a nice scooter. glad you are able to use it and get around for more independence.

i am now in need of something more esp in seating i.e. truncal support.

I have a revo scooter and its great for open places like disney world, etc.. but too bulky inside buildings, offices, shops, restaurants, elevators etc.....

and for me to continue being able to work i need something i can use on daily basis and in home. the scooter just won't meet that.

the power chair will have some form of rehab seating esp for truncal support.

i wish you the best and keep on trucking in your caddy.

best wishes.

Betty, that is a cool scooter. Can you lift it into your trunk, yourself?

Good luck to you, Marfla. I hope all turns out to your delight and comfort. Will you be able to try each of those out for awhile before purchasing?

Best,

thanks sally. the rep is bringing some over for me to test drive here at home, thru my yard etc... on Thursday. Originally he was bringing the permobil c300 corpus and quickie freestyle f11. but i emailed him today about not bringing the permobil, still bring freestyle but if possible bring the quantum 600 by pride. i don't know if he can or has one to bring. i just feel the permobil is too big, too large turning raduis (40in),

from talking to a friend that is also a DME provider he said the permobils are usually for more involved consumer's. and cautioned me that because they are rather big/tall it may not fit into a minivan. from ppl he knows that have a permobil they have full size vans. he recommended the Q300 or freestyle over the permobil more due to size, manuevability, and better turning radius with mid wheeled drive rather frontwheel drive as permobil has.

guess will see what the rep brings thursday. if i feel good about one he brings he will complete the sizing, options, etc.... in preparing to submit order to insurance for approval. if i don't like what he brings then i ask to see more i guess.

my insurance has a limited formulary for power chairs so really choices are the permobil c300 corpus, Q600, Freestyle, Pride 1121, two by sunrise that are rear wheeled drives. so not a large selection to choose from in the group I fall into which is Group 2. Group 3 is for more specialized options that i don't need at least at this point. <G>

i am just praying that the insurance approves the first submitted order/request and don't have to go thru more justification process if they deny. and imo if they deny first go around its more for them to prolong the process as its clear to my PCP, neuro, PT, rep and me there is no reason to deny what is being requested. I am not going to ask for options or stuff I don't need. just what i do need to continue independence at home, to continue working, etc....

gentle hugs
marfla

Sal, I could probably lift the caddy into my car if I had more balance. If I remove the batteries first it's really easy for most able bodied persons to put into my station wagon. I have no pride and always seem to find someone that will give me a hand getting the scooter in or out of my car.

I tell myself that I'm making someone happy by allowing them to help a disabled person have a good day at the mall etc.

I looked at many scooters, thought I would by the Pride GO Go. However it just didn't have enough leg room for me. Betty

I have a Hoveround Technique at home. Actually, I really like it; it's very sturdy, has a small turning radius for inside, and handles inclines and outside surfaces like grass and gravel really well. However, it's a tank (250 lbs). Transportable? So I was using the manual chair in stores etc., and last year it just got to be too much.

I ended up buying a Pride Go Chair. It's a travel power chair. It's very easy to break down and put back together (no more time consuming or difficult than the manual chair), and the heaviest part is 25 lbs. It has an extremely small turning radius, and is very nippy. It's perfect for what I use it for, in stores, resteraunts and so on. I use the Hoveround at home, and the Pride chair lives in the car -- which it fits into easily.

Insurance companies (including Medicare) won't pay for a travel power chair, so it's an out of pocket expense. Mine cost $1500. I thought, hmmm. Let's see. Handicap Van, $30,000 or more. Pride Chair, $1500. Lemme think, now. Tough decision. What you might call a no-brainer.

Chris

Medicare has now approved to purchase travel chair the Pride Z which is really the GO Chair with a small modification on the battery box. They are also covering a new travel chair Melody by Sunrise/Quickie. edited to add that medicare covers travel chairs for ppl fall in catergory 1 which is also for scooters.

I found on Sunrise/quickie website the allogrithum sp? it goes thru each step/question. if you say yes to first group of question they recommend a scooter. if say no continue on into group 2. which are basic or a few rehab power chairs. then group 3 is shown what is recommended. they even highligted in yellow Medicare Picks. its amazing how difficult its going to be for ppl to get devices they need in a timely manner. and the rules seem very strict and "controlled" on what will be provided.

if i could get by with the travel scooter or even the revo scooter i have now which already have lift on SUV for, I would. unfortunately i need more support and better manueverability, i.e. tight turning radius.

gentle hugs to you all
marfla