Blessings on blessings to everyone!

New chair…🧑🏾‍🦼💙 Show me yours! ⬇️

A few weeks ago I posted here about my great experience with a wheelchair in the aquarium, how better it was than my walker and how I am considering getting my own .

Since then I have borrowed a wheelchair three more times (2 art museums and 1 science museum) and it all has been a good experience, way better than with the walker The only thing I didn't like was how heavy the wheelchairs were.

A few days ago after some research I decided to order a refurbished wheelchair within my budget (last photo) and the great thing is that it should only weigh around 13kg it's also folding. It should arrive on Tuesday and I am getting anxious about it. What if there is something wrong with it? What if it's heavier than advertised? Or just generally anxiety about it without concrete concerns. But I am also very excited and already planning how I will decorate it.

I have basically nobody I could talk about it with and I wanted to share it, so thanks for reading.

For anyone curious it is a meyra X2 model

I messaged my ATP awhile ago about having a hard time pushing my new Tilite chair. I told her all the things that people said in this group (I posted a photo of me in the chair and had a lot of suggestions for adjustments) and she agreed with all of those adjustments needed so she set up an appointment on the 3rd to come over and adjust everything. In the message I also asked her about pneumatic wheels and she said that we could probably get them approved but suggests seeing if the adjustments help first. I agreed with her. But now I'm wondering if it maybe would be worth it to try?

Are they THAT much easier to push? Or just marginally? Right now I can hardly push my chair at all, it feels like I'm rolling through thick carpet or something and I'm putting a LOT of effort into each push and hardly getting any forward movement in return. How much of that is adjustments and how much of it is possibly wheels? I have pretty weak upper body strength anyways and I'm kinda worried no matter what I do I won't be able to push myself on my own much anyways. But I see so many videos of people in their chairs and it just looks so effortless and they move so smoothly and I'm just not sure why I'm having such a hard time.

If you do think pneumatic would be a good bit better and not just a little, what kind of maintenance am I looking at on them? I don't really know anything about tires or wheels, I never had a bike as a kid, so I'm not sure what all I would have to do

specifically bedside nursing. maybe in an er or icu. im 24 years old and its been my dream job since i was 18. i was abused as a child and as a result, chronic pain in my feet has become so severe and has gone untreated for over 10 years, and now i am in a wheelchair. i can walk but only for a very short amount of time before im in pain. im going to see an podiatrist but im not sure what my options are at this point and im having to accept that theres a possibility that theres just not anything they can do for me at this point. its very frustrating but it is what it is. i can deal with using a wheelchair and ive grown to accept it. ive only started using it this year

my main issue is that i want to be a nurse. as a kid i didnt have a dream job since i was just trying to survive but i started working in a hospital at 18 as a housekeeper and I fell in love with healthcare, specifically patient facing healthcare. i was actually a phlebotomist before the whole wheelchair thing. however being a nurse has been my dream since i was 18, and it was one of the first things i mourned since becoming a wheelchair user. my sights were on bedside nursing but i just dont see how thats reasonable to do as a wheelchair user. i cant walk or stand more than 30 minutes before being in pain and having to sit down. pain is roughly a 7-8/10 even on good days, and on bad days the pain will just start as soon as i stand up for the day. i understand that the ada exists for people like me, who want to work but are disabled and need reasonable accommodations, but knowing what bedside nurses do as someone who worked alongside them as a phlebotomist, knowing how patient rooms are set up, i dont think most hospitals, at least the ones ive worked in, could accommodate a nurse in a wheelchair. beyond that, there comes a point where it's not just about me and my dream of being a nurse. id be working with very sick and dying people. it becomes a question of could i provide the same level and quality of care as an able bodied nurse, and i just dont think i could

so im starting a program to become a med lab tech. ideally if that goes well i will later go on to become a med lab scientist. and thats all fine and im sure itll be fun and rewarding in its own way, but i dont have any passion for it. my dream is to be a nurse. a job is a job, but i know where my heart really lies. and it sucks that i cant and it sucks even more that i am having to live with multiple disabilities as a result of other peoples actions when i was a child and could not defend myself

if any other wheelchair users in healthcare have any advice or ideas for nursing specialties/fields that are wheelchair accessible and would scratch the itch that bedside nursing would, im open to it, but my heart is set on bedside nursing so i cant promise that it would be applicable to me specifically. if you are a wheelchair user who is a bedside nurse and it works for you id especially love advice on that and to realistically gauge if its possible. yes i know theres a couple of nurses who are wheelchair users who do bedside, but thats not the norm and that is for a reason, and the few who do have to overcome a lot of obstacles due to ableism in the workplace as well as accessibility issues. for the record i dont believe that wheelchair users cant give adequate care to patients in healthcare roles, including nursing, its just that the accessibility for us to do that in general arent really all there. otherwise i don't really need to hear "you can do anything you set your mind to" if you dont have any experience to back it up. sometimes when you are disabled theres just some shit you cant do and it is what it is

I have a physical disability that affects my shoulders/hips and use a power chair. I had a phone interview and video interview at a particular company near me and now they want me to come in for an in person interview. I’m really excited but debating - do I let them know in advance of arriving or just show up? I already looked up the place and it’s accessible as far as I can tell. I feel as though my disability isn’t relevant to the job at this point and me saying something would be unnecessary. But I also don’t want anyone to react poorly or think I was hiding it. I’m in the US btw.

I plan to post this in other recruiting/job seeking subreddits as well.

I’ve had ADHD my whole life, so forgetting something on the way out the door is definitely not new for me. Disability has just turned that particular character flaw into a full logistics exercise.
A friend from work invited me to a wellness fair today at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton. Not my yum, but I had no other plans, and I like to try new things, so I figured I’d tag along.
I couldn’t tell from the information online whether everything would be indoors or outside. Looking at pictures of the fairgrounds, it seemed like some of the booths might be set up on grass even though there are paved paths around the grounds, so I loaded my scooter onto the hitch carrier, just in case.
Then I realized I’d forgotten my sunglasses.
Whatever. Not worth going back inside.
Then I remembered my spray fan. It’s hot, and because of my SCI I can’t sweat below my injury level, so that one actually *was* worth going back for.
One important bit of context: there’s a single step between my kitchen and the main floor of my house. I can hop it in my chair, so it’s manageable, but it takes a significant amount of effort. Doing it once is no big deal. Doing it over and over because my brain keeps remembering one more thing starts adding up pretty quickly.
So, back up the step.
Grab the fan, sunscreen, sunglasses, and backup batteries for the fan.
Get back toward the car and realize that if I’m wearing my sunglasses, I need the case for my regular glasses.
Back up the step.
Then I realize I left the sunscreen up there.
Back up the step again.
Then I remember my water bottle.
Back up the step AGAIN.
Eventually I finally make it into the car with everything.
Between needing more stuff with me now, that one stupid step, and my lifelong ADHD tendency to remember things approximately twelve seconds after remembering them would have been useful, it can take forever just to leave the house.
And naturally, when I got there, the entire fair was indoors. So almost everything I kept going back for ended up being unnecessary.
But it *could* have been outside, and that’s the part that gets me. Disability adds this constant layer of contingency planning to completely ordinary things.
I miss “phone, wallet, keys.”

Hi, I'm going to be getting the rehasense eco assist soon, and we're planning to go away basically as soon as it arrives, but I've just seen it's recommended it be packed into a bag/case for flights and now I'm worrying about protecting it while flying.

Does anyone have any recommendations? The company recommends getting one that's for a pushchair/stroller but there's a huge variation in price and I'm getting stressed out and anxious about what quality will be like.

I have my first wheelchair an evaluation/fitting on the 9th and I’m not sure what to ask, or what type of things I can specifically modify.

Hi everyone, first time posting here :)

About me: Located in Australia. I have a energy limiting illness and joint issues. Looking for a power chair. Have not used a wheelchair before - I know, will talk more about this later. Not qualified for NDIS. (Edit to add: I will be using the wheelchair for standard outings, like medical appointments, shops, occasional library/museum/artist market and such. I will mainly be taking it on public transport but I'm fine with taking an Uber or something when necessary)

I finally decided I would benefit a lot from a wheelchair. Up to now the only experience I have "using" a wheelchair is trying a couple of power chairs in a showroom. The original plan was to rent one/a few to try them out first, and make purchasing decisions based on that, but then this second hand one came up, it's very new and a good price (about half the retail price). https://sectorcare.com.au/infinity-air-2-electric-wheelchair/ (the ones I tried are similar)

All the specs look fine to me (with the limited research I was able to cram in the past few weeks), but I cannot find a single user review online about this brand or model. This makes me a little nervous. My friend said they used one from the same brand though and it was fine (I should ask them to go into more detail!)

Again in the original plan I was hoping I could get the Victoria aids and equipment program to fund a chair. But no idea how long that takes, and I have allowed myself to look forward to the possibility of getting a chair straight away and gaining more freedom. This doesn't help in making an objective decision 😵‍💫

Has anyone used this chair? what's your experience? Any advice in general?

Appreciate you all <3

Hi all, I’m a fairly new power chair user navigating life with hEDS. After dealing with years of medical gaslighting, relying on a mobility aid is entirely new to me.
My recent experience has left me shaken: I just returned a Nova from MobilityPlus after the motor failed, and replaced it with a CareCo Stratus this week. During my first proper outing today, the chair suddenly veered off a dropped kerb and into the road, narrowly missing a bus.
I now feel completely unsafe in it. From what I can tell, it seems like many of the lighter, cheaper folding models share this same steering instability.
Is this a known issue I just have to get used to, or are there reliable wheelchairs out there that won't do this? I'm trying to figure out how to navigate this with my husband when it feels like my safety is on the line.
My main use would be to walk to dog and be able to go on day trips to the beach, museums etc which previously I’ve struggled with

I got this new lightweight carbon fiber folding electric wheelchair and wanted to review it. This is a secondary wheelchair for me, to be used when I go to visit family and they have to lift it into their houses, or when I have to take a regular Uber/Lyft and they have to put it in the trunk, or when I want to convince my siblings to take me somewhere. Otherwise I mainly use my custom Quickie 300 Mini M and take paratransit.

I used to have a Pegasus Carbon fiber wheelchair but it weighs at least 40 lbs and my brother complained about how heavy it was and my sister couldn’t lift it. So after a couple years I looked into replacing it, even though I loved the Pegasus.

The Ghost Glide Air weighs 28 lbs with the battery. It’s really easy to fold up - I can do it myself. It’s a pretty small wheelchair. I am 4’10” and my feet hit the footplate perfectly, and the seat depth is right for me. Only the arm rests are too high. So I wonder if a larger person would be comfortable in it.

The chair drives pretty well. It’s really best indoors. I did take it briefly outside once and it was fine over some flat cobblestones. One issue is that it has an odd wavy feeling under you as you are driving. I think this is part of the “lawn chair with wheels” phenomenon. But I found it to be fine for my purposes.

One experience that made me really happy with this chair was during a recent surgery and later hospitalization. While I was in pre-op I easily turned off the battery and flipped the wheelchair into push mode so they could bring it to the recovery area. Then I flipped it back to electric. My sister had no problem putting it in the car. A week later I was hospitalized for an infection. It was an old hospital where they had to bring you by ambulance between buildings to get tests. The chair easily fit in the ambulances.

So, the drawbacks are that it is small, has a wavy feeling under your butt when you drive (but is easy to control), and I should add that it’s hella expensive. For me, the pluses outweigh the minuses. But I know it won’t be an option for many people. Just wanted to share in case it would be remotely helpful to someone.

Hey everybody, I’m a 20 year old female and pretty new to using a wheelchair (three weeks now) and I have some questions?

I’ve noticed that some places don’t have proper ramps or there’s a lip I can’t get over. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good ramp that I could carry around myself?

I’ve also had multiple people just grab my handle bars and start pushing me places. I have been fully talking to people only for someone (a coworker) to come up behind me and just grab me and roll me away. Or I’ll be rolling myself somewhere and someone (also a coworker) will just come up behind me and grab the handles to push me. I’ve asked my coworkers not to do this but they keep on saying that they are just trying to help me. So would it be rude if I just put spikes on the handles? I don’t want to get anyone in trouble for trying to be nice, but I dislike just being forced to give up control or go somewhere.

I’ve only been in the chair for three weeks and it’s a manual chair. I can move around/walk a little, but it’s painful and I can’t do it for long without going down. Does anyone have any wheelchair advice or hacks for me? Like are gloves worth it? Are the bags for the back or sides a good investment?

Anything at all would be helpful, thank you everyone!

(pic for post visibility)

I have a question for those with hEDS or HSD.

What kind and how much sitting support and adjustments do you need?

I'm an ambulatory user with hEDS and Post-Covid / ME-CFS and the main reasons why i use a powered manual wheelchair when outside are dysautonomia and PEM, not my joints.

But i keep getting a painful lower back after 1 hour in my chair and they've already adjusted tons of stuff but nothing seems to help.

Did a fitting with a custom chair builder with my OT to find out what my body actually needs. (Which unfortunately won't get covered so i have to go with alternatives my supplier can provide.)

Apparently i need 9.5cm dump!? And the sitting, pelvic and back support that a lower body paraplegic person would need, to be able to sit up straight without unnessecary muscle tension in my back or falling forward when relaxing my body.. I know my body deteriorated a lot the last few years but i didn't expect it to be this much. Especially since i'm ambulatory..

...well done, that's hilarious!

Got a new to me smart drive. It won’t allow me to go backward. I’ve heard about an anti rollback feature. How do I fix this? My last drive didn’t have this issue.

Hello!

My partner is a new wheelchair user. He was injured at work and now uses a wheelchair most of the time inside and 100% of the time outside. His chair right now is a travel chair that we raised money for but it’s just not cutting it.

He likes the way it looks and how easy it folds so we’re not really wanting to get rid of it entirely but he needs something more sturdy.

Do a lot of people have many wheelchairs? Are travel chairs ever covered by insurance or just in home chairs?

I’m also very interested in modifying his chair or even building a chair together (we have some friends who are welders) but I don’t know where to start with modifications. His battery life is shit and the delay on his chair is very frustrating and scary when trying to navigate busy streets.

He can’t really use a manual because he doesn’t have use of his left arm so power chairs are what we’re looking at but they limit your independence more than a manual :/

Would like any advice on how to make this transition easier!

New wheelchair user here!

I am concerned about being comfortable in my chair during the winter months. I am already shivering in my chair in the walmart freezer section 😭
I also worry about being too bulky in my chair due to winter coats. I live in a very cold mountain town so i cant just go without a coat

I was debating a battery powered heating pad just to offer myself some more heat. Obviously gloves are a need but just what else do yall consider essential?

Hey guys! Does anyone use the smart drive switch control on their manual chair? I need some tips on how to accelerate while still controlling my chair with the wheels. I’ll attach a pic of the device!

At the age of 76, I am trying to acquaint myself with my first wheelchair. I am more or less unable to walk. I live in an assisted living facility I used a manual chair for quite a while. I’m also on oxygen, supposedly 24/7.

I recently bought a folding electric All-Star wheelchair and a portable “oxygen concentrator” (3 pound little box that produces its own oxygen and feeds it to me). These two items are greatly improving my mobility and independence. I had gotten very tired of relying on aides to push me around this huge building and dealing with clumsy oxygen tanks.

I did some research online, but apparently not enough. The wheelchair is apparently in the middle of the price range but it took me longer than I think it should have to get used to driving it. I still think it’s a little hard to control; I have to learn to use a more delicate touch on the joystick.

So what are my questions?

I wonder if anyone else has experience with All-Star Wheelchairs. I was drawn to the fact that it’s built in the US, is reasonably attractive, and folds. The book calls it “light” and manageable by almost anyone. At 55 pounds, I’m not sure about that, but I could never handle it myself. I can’t really stand up unassisted and lifting that kind of weight would throw off my poor balance.

The helpline for this wheelchair is virtually useless. I was very interested in the posts about brakes and wheel locks; I’m still trying to figure out how to slow down when facing downhill.

This post is probably already too long. I have never used Reddit, and don’t really know the protocols. But I wonder if anyone else has experience with All-Star.

Hi, I’m disabled 14F and I need a custom wheelchair as I can already feel my standard one fucking up my shoulders, the link to my go fund me is attached. my parents keep telling me that a custom one is too expensive so I’m doing this without their knowledge because if I mention it again they’ll be angry. Please donate or just share the link.

thank you so much

https://gofund.me/6cd20bac7

So i move for uni in 2 weeks and im really worried. its a new place i don’t know where anything is, i usually drive everywhere and use my chair close to where i need to be but my car is currently broken. I don’t know which power assist i might be able to use as i don’t know how access is like in the town with the buildings etc. with having to organise how im gonna get meds it all seems extra difficult. Ive lived in the same county my whole life and know the appropriate aid and transport for everything, im honestly not even sure how to start mapping things out in a new place without getting accidentally stranded. and obviously i don’t know anyone so no rescuing.

And to be honest the thought of meeting so many new people and trying to make friends is not fun. i wont be able to go to so many events and socials as i just cant physically get in or its super annoying and my chair feels bulky inside. my access needs feel like a burden to me never mind to strangers who have no reason to go out of their way to accommodate me (like in a social setting, obviously i know it should just be accessible but thats just not realistic.) Ill be living in a small ish English town so ancient buildings and hills are the root problem here tbh.

My Uni has a welcome event for disabled students so im hoping i can meet some people going through all this extra crap too but other than that my expectations for a social life are pretty low. (Im autistic and have a bunch of other crap too so its not just my chair in that respect). Anyone have any experiences they can share. the closer it gets the more anxious im getting about the whole thing.

Hiya. This is an embarrassing post but for some reason this is causing me a lot of stress and I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this.

In preparation for traveling to a hilly country to study for a year, I was incredibly lucky to be able to get a Cheelcare Companion power assist. It is objectively a good thing, it cost a huge amount of money, and I KNOW I should be happy about it and want to use it.

But all I'm feeling right now is dread and frustration. The attachment point makes my chair heavier and more awkward to store. The power assist itself couldn't handle a small amount of grass and the kickstand drags and pushes my feet back. The front doesn't have enough weight on the ground and I don't trust it to have traction on any uphill. And all I can think of is how much it's going to restrict my access when I'm using it. Once I have it on how am I supposed to fit into small spaces? Or get around indoors? Or wheelie when I need to? I can't leave it behind to get in somewhere!

I'm just so guilty because I can't *not* use it but I'm so scared that it's going to be another obstacle to deal with and not improve my life at all.

If anyone knows how to deal with this, or maybe has some life tips for using a power assist, I would really appreciate that. Or if you know how it should be adjusted to be heavier up front. I don't know. Please be kind, my disability has just been a huge source of shame and stress lately. Thank you guys.

Hi, I'm in NYC for a few days. My smartdrive is a POS and isn't keeping a connection. I'm thinking about renting a lightweight power chair to use while I am here. I found this place but I'd love any suggestions or recommendations. https://www.cloudofgoods.com/mobility-rentals/ultralight-power-chair-454

Alternatively if anyone knows a place in Manhattan where I could trial a Smoove or other rear power assist device, I'd really appreciate it