I am a c6,7,t1 quad. My injury will be 2 years in October. I started a new job 3 weeks ago today. My therapist, of course, suggested and I agreed to get a manual chair. Who knew I would go back to work so soon. I do not have any problem propelling my chair as far as upper body strength, however, the heavy carpet at work has become an issue for me. I have been using a friend's father's chair that had barely been used and it is a jazzy 610. He has offered to sell it to me but I spoke w/ a sales person at medical equipment company and he said don't buy that particular kind or you are throwing away the money regardless of how minimal it is. He also added that the repairs for that brand were insane. Did I get sales jargon or sound advice? Has anyone had a good or bad experience buying a used power chair. I can't afford to buy one new and I don't think that I can get a new chair for 4 more years.
Already a member? Sign in
Welcome to Inspire!
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
Power Chair
- By Lorajw
- Posted June 19, 2008 at 2:47 pm · 9 replies
- In Living your life
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
9 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By FuschiaFan
- Posted June 19, 2008 at 11:54 pm
- Report post
Take a look at the Permobile 300 or 400 series. Check out used chairs at www.disableddealer.com or on eBay. Have you asked vocational rehab to help you with the cost of a power chair? Would your employer remove the carpet and put in tile as a reasonable accomodation?
- By MarieTwinTubes
- Posted June 20, 2008 at 8:58 am
- Report post
Hi, Lorajw,
I couldn't live without a power chair. My first power chair was a Jazzy. Mine still serves me well as a back up (I eventually needed some functions the Jazzy didn't have). It still zips around! I don't know about the complaints mentioned, but you should at least try it out.
Jazzy's are reasonably priced (as wheelchairs go!!), so find out what the cost is new and what resale value is, so that you don't pay too much if you do get it.
Another thing, your employer should have commercial carpet which is much easier to maneuver. I even installed it in my home.
Best wishes. Let us know how it comes out.
Marie
- By Gimpa50
- Posted June 20, 2008 at 12:54 pm
- Report post
Stay in your manual chair. The more you ride over the carpet the easier it will get. I'm a C-5 complete in a power chair and would give anything to be able to operate a manual chair. The issues you will have in a power chair are not worth it. Spending the money on a power chair, used her not is ridiculous for someone of your ability. Be glad you have the strength and ability to operate a manual chair and do not move backwards in your recovery process please.
- By wheeledsweetiepie
- Posted June 23, 2008 at 3:30 am
- Report post
I use both a manual and a power chair. I am 13 years post with strong upper body strength and find with all my combined activities, (employment, daily water workouts, martial arts training, horseback riding, cooking, shopping, driving, gardening, transferring, etc) I keep my shoulders healthy by using the chair most appropriate for the conditions. (I have spoken with a large number of longtime users of manual chairs whose shoulders are trashed and painful because of the repetitive nature of wheeling.) The powerchair certainly makes moving around with "stuff" on my lap much easier and significantly less frustrating and it's use supports my movement through the community terrain . The manual chair creates ease for travelIing and visiting and riding in other peoples vehicles. I use the manual chair enough to keep my ability to use it effectively intact. I purchased a Jazzy 1120 used and have found it to be quite reliable. I question the "plastic nature" of the most recent models though. When using your manual chair, make sure the tire pressure is correct as it makes movement across varying surfaces easier.
- By Lorajw
- Posted June 23, 2008 at 2:04 pm
- Report post
Thank you. I went ahead and purchased it for $600. If it runs for 6 months I think it is worth the quality of life improvement. I still use my manual at home and when I get in a normal car. I have a para friend with a ramp van and it sure is nice to be able to go shopping w/o getting so tired and working w/o having to request my employer to redecorate his building to accomadate me working for him. Thanks again all!
- By Foundationworker
- Posted June 24, 2008 at 1:15 pm
- Report post
Hello, staying in your manual may very well be the best choice. They have assistive devices that attach to the wheel hubs to help propell a chair when necessary. Costly but affective and sometimes covered by the government. Keep smiling (and pushing)
Rand
- By MarieTwinTubes
- Posted June 25, 2008 at 8:38 am
- Report post
Hi, Lorajw. Congratualtions on your power chair purchase. It sounds like you got a great deal. As you can see from all our responses, there is no one right or wrong answer. It sounds as if you are doing what is best for you. Good for you!!
Like one responder mentioned, it is important for people not to trash their shoulders trying to prove they can manage in a manual chair. On the other hand, for many paralegics that use of the body is important. For me, I do not have the muscle or respiratory strength to sustain manual pushing. I must preserve what strength I have to do stand pivot transfers, because I would not be able to do transfers using my upper body.
So we are all different, yet one community. We are all in this life together and can support and encourage each other. What a team!! Here's to life and breath! Marie
- By yeti
- Posted June 25, 2008 at 9:12 am
- Report post
Hi, I'm glad to see you went ahead with the purchase. As said, you should use whatever chair fits the situation and try to keep your 'pushing' muscles in shape. As far as that salesman goes, take EVERYTHING those salesmen say with a grain of salt. I had a guy I used for years, whom I thought genuinely cared for my position, then I found out he was only pushing for items he received the highest perks for. Get feedback from 'us' and make your own decision. Congrat's
Bob
- By Patricia7
- Posted September 25, 2009 at 1:53 pm
- Report post
We were not meant to walk with our hands. The idea that people should use the manual chair all of the time has lead to many with repetitive injuries down the line. IT is far better to exercise daily for upper body strength, but at work , outings like shopping or school use a motorized chair. On days when it is hot, it is dangerous to propel yourself especially with a high injury. You can be at higher risk for autonomic dysreflexia...this happens to my daughter when the temperature is high. She works out everyday and attends school . She just started to volunteer in a kindergarten class... she could not do all of this if she has to propel everywhere... even an able bodied person needs to try this out especially a therapist.... I spent a whole day in a manual chair once... to the store.. on campus and I can tell you the repetition especially on a female body is not one to take lightly.. I had difficulty propelling up inclines at the college and often had to go further to find access areas . Once you tear your shoulders and wrists, have osteo arthitic changes ... you will have difficult with transfers, typing, putting on makeup...... all of the reasons your hands and arms were made for fine motor activity.... please be careful and live you life fully...
Add to the discussion