12 replies to this topic

[derby42]

hi again. I've started thinking about this. when the ot first came out last year she couldn't see the point in  me if having a wheelchair as there is no one to push me. but i could use an electric one surely. how do i go about getting one?

[Christina]

Hello Derby
I think electric wheelchairs are good for those who are unable to walk inside and outside the house, and if you're planning to use it inside your home, you would need to get doors widened for the chair  to get through.

If you are hoping Social Services might help with providing one, an OT will need to assess you or refer you for a wheelchair assessment,  and you will need to meet their criteria.  I think, as they can be costly, they may say you don't fulfill the assessment for an electric chair if you can still walk inside, but I'm no expert on this.
If you want to buy one yourself, then of course a reputable local disability shop would sell you one.
From memory, when I was recently buying a mobility scooter, electric wheelchairs tended to be more expensive.  
Does it have to be a wheelchair?  If it's for going out and about more, would you not consider a scooter?


The MS Society can help with grants towards equipment if you would find it difficult to afford the cost, but you would need a letter of support from a health or social care professional.

Chris x

[Scully]

The electric scooter seems to be a good idea Derby.

You could go out with your husband pushing the babies buggy, with you on your electric scooter alongside him.  They are much cheaper than wheelchairs I gather.

It would also allow you to get out to the local shops maybe and give you some independence too.  I think you can hire them for a short period, that way you can see if it's going to work for you.

This is a typical scooter hire site.  There may be one local to you of course
http://www.mobility-hire.net/mobility-scooters.aspx?gclid=CODYsKaOvq8CFZARfAodFB3Cvw

Scully
x

Edited by Scully, 18 April 2012 - 09:45 AM.
added link

[Christina]

Yes, Scully's right, Shopmobility allow you to rent a scooter for a time to see how you like it.
Chris x

[Sandra Dee]

Annnnd guess what i saw at MS life... they had a bike type scooter thing.... one with a section at the front for two children... looked mega... prob was mega expensive too..... but I loved the idea that anything is possible.. unfortunately with a bit of money... In one of the talks I attended thou they talked of the MS society offereding help to the people in genuine need.... grant and such like...sooo there appears to be a way for sure... :))

Getting out is sooo important I think. :) xxx keeps me kinda sane (ish)

Edited by Sandra Dee, 18 April 2012 - 10:04 AM.

[Bigbird]

Derby
If you get assessed for the highest rate of the mobility part of DLA or whatever its called now, PIP, you can use the money for transport eg car scooter wheelchair. If you are having problems walking it may be worthwhile applying for that benefit. I get it and it pays for a car which is changed every 3 years.

[derby42]

yes i get that bigbird. i knew about cars but not electric chairs. ill look into that, just a bit concerned that our car will fail soon and then we'll have to get a mobility car but if I've got a chair already we won't be able to.

we need a car more than i need chair because my husband takes me to appointments and has to be quick when he leaves me with the babies to pop to school or  shop.
a chair i was thinking would just enable us to get  out in and have some fresh air sometimes.

Edited by derby42, 18 April 2012 - 11:45 AM.

[Scully]

Then I would suggest Derby that you look at an electric scooter in the link I showed you.  They are not so expensive, or you can hire them on a weekly or monthly basis?

The car is important on the DLA grant, but you could use some of the other DLA income to hire a scooter if you didn't want to buy one? That's what it's for, to enable you to live a fuller life, so it may be worth looking at them.  They also fold and go into the back of a car, so you could take it with you when you go out.

Scully
x

[derby42]

thanks scully, i looked at the link and im surprised they are so cheap. thanks.

[Nick]

Derby the advice given by Christina earlier about looking into a local 'Shopmobility' scheme is a really good idea.  There is a lot to learn about different types of scooters and what they can and can't do.  So renting a shop-mobility one will give you a better idea.   http://www.shopmobilityuk.org/   http://www.derbyshopmobility.org.uk/  I use my own now but still find this system very very good.  You can also go to the big mobility shows to look at what is available.  Don't get sold the wrong one so be very careful about some private companies and get lots of advice first.   Your local wheelchair services may be able to give very good advice on other forms of wheelchair, but reading the earlier posts think a scooter mat be the way to go. Small scooters can be dismantled and go into the back of a car, others are bigger and can't.  Small cheap ones won't go very far and have no springs!  Bigger ones will go a long long way and are capable of going over bumps and curbs (small ones don't!) But you need a safe place to keep them and charge them up.

Nick

Edited by Nick, 18 April 2012 - 03:03 PM.

[Christina]

Thanks NickI looked around and tried different models for quite a while before buying and eventually bought one via the Internet for £300 less than the shop wanted.  I have one that goes in the boot, but it's a cross between a road one and a shopping one, so it copes fine with bumps and kerbs.  
I hired one for a week from Shopmobility and it helped me decide whether I wanted one.  I really like mine and it's so great to be able to zip around on it.  It's probably easier to put in a boot than an electric wheelchair would be too.  I've never regretted buying one.
Chris x

[Nick]

Yes I am very pleased that i looked very long and hard to get the right scooter for me! I love mine!   By the way I have tried out a lot of stuff and the best electric wheelchair I tried was E- Motion  http://www.alber.de/en/products/mobility-wheelchair-emotion.html   This is brilliant kit but you need a big fat bank balance.

Edited by Nick, 18 April 2012 - 06:49 PM.

[derby42]

wow nick, how much are they?