wheelchair to car
 

I have a friend who is in wheelchair. She has limited use of arms and not able to stand at all.

Neither her nor her family can afford a wheelchair accessible van. There have been a few times when I have taken her somewhere in my car. Her mom is able to lift her from the car to the wheelchair, that is easier than the chair to the car.

So, does anyone have suggestions for the movement of her from wheelchair to the seat of the car?

I've been looking around the internet and see boards to slide her on but wonder if they would fit in my car. Anyone have experience with these?

I've also seen a cloth of a slippery material to help slide her onto the seat and I'm thinking something like this might be the key because my seats are the velour type material which makes sliding her into the seat difficult. Anyone use these?

Also my friend and her mom are like a lot of us short on cash but they are really low on cash so the more expensive alternatives are not an option.

On Regis and Kelly Live they gave a family a wheelchair accessible van to help with a woman in a wheelchair because of MS. I sat there and cried because I would love for something like that to help with my friend.

I'm open to suggestions!

Hi Sassy,

I don't have any suggestions on ways to transfer, but I do suggest that you contact your NMSS chapter. They do receive donations of vehicles sometimes and can also point you in the right direction for other charitable agencies that could have a van available.

I have seen vans with wheelchair lifts on eBay go for less than $2000; also Craigslist.

The transfer boards are good and they aren't too expensive...good suggestions from Barbie...

I Don't know if you having any grant funded programs where you live...here in Utah we have one called Options for Independent Living and it is funded by government grants. We got a lift for our van and also a ramp for the house and of course a power chair. They do give assistance based on income so she would probably would qualify. We don't anymore since I was granted my long term disability and SSD. Good Luck!!

I actually had thought of a fundraiser but hesitate because of the lack of funds in this family. I don't know if they could even afford the plates and insurance.

We have been watching for a cheaper van but no luck yet, we will keep looking.

I have contacted NMSS and they have nothing as far as a vehicle goes at this time but they have and will help her out with other things.

Tammy, about how long is the board? and where do you store it inside the car? My trunk barely fits the wheelchair but probably being flat the board doesn't take up much room.

Thanks.

Have said it a million times and will say it a million more.

Please go visit one of your local churches and tell them about your friend. They have a "neighbors in need" type fund in most churches and not only can help you negotiate a lower price, but have a fund to help her pay for it. Even if you or she are not members. please go talk to the pastor. :grouphug:

Dejibo, I guess I need to pick a different church. The one we meet at and the pastor's wife is part of our group gave her a small used TV for her bedroom but that was all they had at this time.

HUD built her a ramp which has been a real blessing. And Medicaid paid for an electric wheelchair that she doesn't have good enough hand control yet to navigate. She took their dining room table out on one of early excursions on the electric chair.

She can travel throughout the county we live in if she calls 24 hour in advance and stays within the county. It is a wheelchair accessible bus so that is good but too limited at times.

She is such a positive young woman but I hate to see her be such a prisoner of her own home.

As for the electric wheelchair...the people that brought it to her...case worker, can adjust the joy stick, if that is how it is operated, so it won't be so sensitive to the touch...my honey has marked the house up pretty good. Maybe find out who brought it to her and see if they can come out and adjust it.

Also, below is the link for the wooden transfer boards...they come in different lengths and are easy to store....

http://www.jansenmedical.net/Wood-Tr...--pr-3446.html

I hope this helped...

First let me say I am so sorry that you were treated that way. NO church should hand out a television and feel that their job is done! NO CHURCH! that is disgusting. I would seek out a new church. Like I said, you dont have to be a member of the church to go ask for help. go to 4 or 5 of them. knock on doors till your knuckles bleed. talk to her social worker, and ask about resources. Talk to the PT department at a large hosital and ask if they have any old/unused/ unclaimed slide boards. Please dont let your church stop you from knocking on the doors of others.

hang in there. :hug:

Sassy, you can use a plastic bag on the seat which is a very cheap alternative to the bought slippery cloth you mentioned, and works just as well!

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I will look into each of them.

I honestly had thought of getting a small tarp, because they are so cheap and can be used for something else if need be, and put some bathtub non-slips on it where her bottom could sit and then I could pull her on into the car after her mom has somewhat put her into the car.

I will look into the slide boards...I think those would be ideal but don't you have to take the arm of your wheelchair and how difficult is that? I haven't tried to remove hers or mine, they are both manual(hers is actually the neuro's). We usually use my wheelchair because it is smaller. Once she gets the hang of her electric one we can use that to get out of her house but then need a manual because there is no way to transport her electric.

Her electric has been now been adjusted down to the lowest speed. I need to ask her mom if the OT or PT are teaching her how to use it properly.

Thanks again.

sassy,

Whatever you decide to do to help the woman, take care of your back first.

I cringed when I saw how you were thinking about pulling her into the car by yourself. My cousin, who was a nurse, has many terrible back problems from lifting patients over 20 years. She is in chronic pain and gets no relief from any pill or surgery.

gonnamakeit

Boards should work
 

I never thought of the Assistive Technology Department...we live in Utah and just last Friday were at Utah State University at this department getting the brakes fixed on my honey's wheel chair...

Thanks, never heard of this Assistive Technical Dept but going to check it out!

Sassy,

Here are some resources for AT (assistive technology) broken down by states. I highly recommend this site to everyone. Even if one agency cant help, they can often refer you to the correct one who can-


http://www.resna.org/taproject/at/statecontacts.html

Some other hints:
PT/OT should teach her family how to properly transfer her in different situations, including the car. They can also supply the tranfer board. Garbage bags are great seat material for your "slippery" cover.

In fact, if it is needed therapist can arrange for a hoist/lift with a MD order. There is no excuse for not getting what they need, especially if she is covered by Medicaid. Often what is needed is somone to say "We need X, Y and Z" You could be a great asset to them by helping them demand and fight for what is needed. You sound like a wonderful friend!!!!

Good luck!

Jane

Thank you guys for this AT stuff. Seven years as a self-help group leader and I can't believe I haven't come across this. I plan to share it with my group also.

Lesson I learned a long time ago, when in doubt ASK! Thanks for all the info.

I definitely need to get with her mom and spend the day locating all the help needed for this beautiful young friend of mine!

1. My plan is to find out if she has a social worker, if she doesn't then find out how to get one, if she has one I will ask my friend and her mom if we can all meet with this person and get a plan going to move forward.

2. I am going to print out info from internet (they have no computer) and help mom fill out necessary forms for items from MSAA.

3. Take phone # to mom and have her call NMSS and either inquire herself what would be available or give NMSS permission to talk to me and I will find out what is needed and what is available.

4. I am going to contact Michigan government representatives and advocate for her and others that fall through the cracks.

5. I am going to print out the AT info and see if any of this could help now and in the long run

6. In the meantime I am going to try the garbage bag or tarp if needed to help transfer her.

7. Go to our local VFWs to see what they have available.

8. Ask great friends to help me add to this list. LOL, thanks