Choosing a wheelchair ... Need help
 

Okay guys need some help here. I've been using a bear of a wheelchair for the past ten years anytime I have to go somewhere that requires a lot of walking (grocery shopping, the mall, Lowes) And while I haven't had many issues with my chair I do think I can do a bit better than the $100 hulking invicare special. Especially now that it has creaked its final spin (the seat is worn, the casters and wheels are chipped and the hand rims are veritable hand slicers)

So my DH has been looking at the ultralight weight chairs, narrowing the field to a toss up between the Quickies and the TiLites. Both offer reclining backs, elevating leg rests, pop off wheels, folding back and both are within a pound of each other as well as within $100 difference between the two. The Quickie only offers a 2" seat pad, while the TiLite offers up to a 4" cushion (but honestly, have sewing machine can easily make a cushion as thick or thin as I want) and both look compact enough to maneuver around the house if providing I remove the hand rims, and possibly take off the leg rests to get in and out of the bedroom (ranch style home with very narrow hallway 34" wide which is only 2" wider than a standard door frame)

My current wheelchair can go down the hall but there's no way to negotiate it into any of the bedrooms. The real kicker is I need to decide soon, my DH wants to take a trip to Disney in September and it takes about 6 weeks to get a customized chair. In addition to the fact that I'm currently without a chair, mine is simply dead to the point of being all but unusable excepting dire need.

Does anyone have one or the other that can give an idea about the comfort of those chairs? The ratings and reviews really don't help in figuring out which chair would be more comfortable which at this point is about the biggest difference I can imagine would arise. Otherwise if they're both comparable in comfort, I'm down to color acid green or black cherry, which still doesn't help me decide any easier since given a can of spray paint I can easily make it any color I like.

My first chair was bought as a cheaper solution to renting (never thinking I'd need beyond an 8 week casted period) this time I'm looking for all around comfort and compact.

i don't have any experience with chairs. but, why don't you try calling your local MS society. they may be able to steer you in the right direction.

Starz, be sure to try one out before you purchase one. I couldn't handle
and didn't like the Quicky or custom made chairs of that type. They're
not for everyone and very expensive.:eek:

A small lightweight scooter may be a better option?

Very true on the price, but at the same time I just can't quite set myself towards an electric mode of transport. I really want to move about as much as I can, which honestly is even an issue in the wheelchairs as I get exteremely fidgety. Nothing like having ADHD in a broken body :D

But I am leaning more towards the TiLite... Just looking at the pictures it looks more comfortable than the Quickie... So I guess I'm in for a long drive to go try some out. Just need to wait for my mom to get back in town so we can also take her car to see them...

It's the smallest car in the family but one I ride around in quite frequently. So i really want to be sure this time the chair will fit in the trunk without needing to fold down both of the back seats. Wheelchairs and mirages aren't exactly friendly with each other :p, not that my accent is much better, but at least one seat can be left up in the back.

Though honestly I'm almost...almost... Tempted to simply modify my current chair... Replace the axles, change out the wheels, maybe cut off the back and reattach it with an adjustable hinge, could do the same for the push handles... Replace the seat, add in a cushion or two and voila! Lightweight custom wheelchair for a fraction of the price (most expensive part would be the wheels I'm sure). Heck throw in a can of spray paint while I'm at it.

I used to customize my bicycles when I was a kid, we'd pick up used bike from the bike shop for $5.00 and then begin the remodeling of the bikes... Made a ten speed that I could fold up and carry on my back when I was ten... I think I could handle modifying my chair if my DH would let me use his power tools.... The bike took a little over a month to complete, with a hacksaw, hammer, screwdriver and wrench. With power tools I think it could finish it in a day :D

Have you tried googling "wheelchair alternatives" or something like that? I looked at different wheelchairs on Amazon and there were a lot of different styles and sizes. I haven't actively looked at any for my own personal use......yet. I hope you find what you need.

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 :D:D:D ... 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! :cool:

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.

Hahah standing I line at the store....i feel you... Usually I am grabbing the corner of someone's cart in back of me or leaning on a shelf of I'm waiting too long. Wondering if I'm going to be able to get moving again after a long stand...worst feeling ever. So yes...for you and I it just makes sense to use a chair in stores and such... I just can't walk those distances anymore without my legs wanting to just lay flat in bed for the rest of the day.

Sounds as if you want the chair for distance use but not necessarily to sit in, but what Lumia_black has said about fatigue is true for me too.

I sit in my wheelchair all the time, can't sit comfortably in anything else, even though I can walk short distances most of the time. The extra bracing I get for my back, arms, legs and feet makes me less tired. For years I tried an upholstered armchair for sitting and found that getting up and out of it or sitting in it was wearing me down.

I do core-strengthening exercises but even with them, I guess my muscles aren't doing their job very well.

Anyway, if you want the wheelchair for sitting, you probably want a sturdier chair than the lightweight ones usually are.

I got a replacement chair a year or so ago and thought I wanted a lightweight chair but soon learned that that wheelchair weight has its purpose. It keeps you more stable. My new chair turned out to be only a couple of pounds lighter than the old one, mainly because there are no legrests--just footrests.

It also has pop-off wheels and so in a way turns out to be lighter than my old one because it can be loaded into a vehicle in smaller segments. When you lift the mainframe, you don't have to lift the wheels along with it.

The Scooter Store
 

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.

QUICKIE 2 chair & ROHO air cushion ($400 alone)

I'm numb & paralized from chest down since 1989, used nothing but above since.

They come every width & depth as do cushions, back height selectable & adjustable an inch up or down, back angle might come slightly reclined if desired but i brought the backrest pipes to muffler shop & had them bent exactly how I wanted :) They may also come with recline option.

I use fixed non raising footrests cause they're light & easy to throw in backseat. They come in at least 2 fixed angles.

I have tubular armrests cause they lift & swing out the way to transfer, also use them to knock stuff off high shelves in grocery store.

My chair folds by lifting up middle of seat like hospital chairs. Quick release wheels but I never take them off for car, I have large 2 door Caddy which fits it behind seat.

ALL settings are fine tune-able such as height, rear wheel fore/aft to adjust how easy it wheelies or doesn't, tilt/camber of rear wheels, lots.

Colors- more then a dozen.

MY ADVICE- go to local med supply & ask them to get a rep who gets Quickie demo chairs & try before ya buy. He'll measure & guess size/depth of seat though demo might not be exact size you'll need.

I work on cars & rebuilt engines. Quickie quality went down a bit over the years but I still use them.

Did you get one yet? I picked this up today for 20 bucks at a garage sale fo r20 bucks.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8nlekxfr.jpg

Not yet, but did decide to go with the aero x by TiLite, my mom and I drove to one of their 'dealerships' and I liked them fairly well. Of course anything is an improvemtent over my current beasty. But it should fit in the back of her car when I get mine. Still working through all the different options and resulting cost differences.....

So the costs of the chair swings widely from a little over a grand to upwards of almost 3 grand and everything in between. DH, God love him but ins't helping, just replies back with, "whatever you want...whatever will make you more comfortable... So what if it costs 2 grand to install XM radio, if that's what you want...." Grrrrrr... *grumble* Grrrr Grrrr. Gotta love he's willing to take out a second mortgage if it will make "me" comfortable, but he could help more if he'd help pick out what things are 'really' nice for the price and what things are the equivalent of cup holder on a lawn mower.q

What will your insurance cover. I don't think I have read any mention of insurance. Or is that something they no longer cover. Oh Lordy, I hope it's not going that way. I don't need one yet but when I do I want assistance!!! Way back in the day, 1999, when I was needing a wheel chair for my daughter's college tours and orientation, I was getting one through my insurance about every 2 months. So they just paid for it! I still use it and so has my sister, Mom, SIL and i'm sure other people. It's just a manual.

It's like pulling teeth to get things through my insurance that isn't a drug or doctor appt. and even some of the doctors appts are touch and go. Using Humana and their "customer care representatives" don't seem to know anything. My DH's cpap machine ended up being covered fully, after it was denied twice. And then it got denied again after they said it was covered, he finally gave up fighting over it.

So he decided to just skip the fighting for a wheelchair. We'll probably go ahead and submit a claim on it, but really care far more about the comfort and compactness of the chair over the costs. If it's a comfy sturdy chair that could last me quite a few years without hassle, and fits in the nonexistent trunk of a Mitsubishi Mirage, it'll be worth it's weight in gold as far as DH is concerned.

Lightweight, compact chairs are like night and day... make sure it has bicycle wheels and tires so you can adjust the air pressure...it makes the ride silk smooth rather than the harsh ride of a solid, rubber wheel.

The tires was one sticking point for me in deciding what is best... It makes sense that pneumatic wheels would be smoother than hard plastic ones, but I wasn't really sure if that would actually end up being the case. Do you also recommend pneumatic wheels as the front casters?

We have rough asphalt, glassy concrete (rough as well), sand and sandier grass, linoleum, and rocks from pea-gravel to granite chunks. Then when I head north, it's to fields of granite, long grass, the occasional dirt road (or dirt parking lot) and plenty of hills of clover, wild flowers and grass (all of which might as well have been an oil slick to my current beasty)

So traction is a big thing as far as I'm concerned, but since pretty much every manual wheelchair is rear wheel drive, how much do the casters play into the traction game? I can get suspension spokes for the front wheels so for a smooth ride it might not matter if they're plastic, though it would seem like the asphalt would make short work of them....hmmmmm....

What you chose looks kinda like Quickie 2 I have.
Pneumatic rear tires are a MUST. Primo V 25-540 24" are what I use.
Low profile smooth rubs cloths less, don't have knobbie treads to collect mud, easy to push. Best.
Pneumatic fronts- I did it for 10 years, Cadillac ride BUT they lose air quick DON'T get them. Get same tires with airless inserts (very hard to change tires though) or get what i use for past 10 years which is soft roll solid fronts.

And fronts- don't get those tiny 3 or 4" wheels, get 6".

Many many adjustments on these chairs (if like mine) so relax & fine tune to your liking over time.

I guarantee dealer will NOT adjust it close to what feels best for you.

Got my new wheels:D and wow, wow, wow,wow... Night and day from my ancient invacare beasty. I even thought I was going to wreck leaving out of Walmart, it rolled so well, too well almost, down the ramp was a regular bullet out into the parking lot :p fun, but won't do that one again. But it is definitely comfy comfy. Like sitting in a favorite chair.

I like the color.

If I get one, mine will be orange. Hopefully I won't ever have to get one. But if I do, I want an orange one.

Nice one, buddy:)

Green is my color....mine is all black which sucks, but still a good roller. Huge difference from a standard "hospital" iron maiden chair:cool:

Good deal. Now for tweaks...

Brakes- Notice location of mine on upper tube/frame. Yours could likely be moved if desired. I also take them apart, grease bolts/pivots & can lock with 1 finger yet still hold tire great. Tire psi also effects brakes.

Front wheels- next size larger won't get caught in cracks as easy.

Rear wheels- axle plate on mine has 4 bolts holding it to chair. Washers get put between plate & frame if you want to change camber (wheel tilt in/out) like mine, which makes bottom wider increasing stability & saves knuckles from rubbing door frames cause it's narrower up top.

Arm rests- your chair could get tubular ones like mine that swing away & lift out to knock items of store shelf ya can't reach.

Many more custom adjustments but thats enough for now :)

awesome tweaks that I didn't even think of :).

Aside from the armrests, those annoy me for some reason. I've played in wheelchairs since I was pretty much a toddler. My mother worked for a private ambulance service, we got to have fun in the wheelchairs. But the arms 'icky'. though I never thought of using them to knock things off shelves. I have, however put my skills from working with horses to good use and often use my purse straps to lasso anything I need of the top shelf (milk excluded can get messy)

It's great fun going to the grocery store :p, especially when someone offers a bit too late to grab something for me, and gets to watch it fall right into the shopping cart as I pull my purse back and toss it over my shoulder once more.

Of course they also seem to have a hard time realizing that someone in a wheelchair can push a regular shopping cart around the store... So the cashiers are often bemused too when I get up to the check out with a cart full of groceries and no one around but me. :D