I have a wonderful motorized wheelchair that a lovely lady gifted me when her husband died. However, it just sits in my shed. I can't use it because I don't have a lift to put it on the back of my car and I don't have the money to buy one and insurance and Medicare don't cover it.
Having the use of the wheelchair would completely change my quality of life. I would be able to do so much more and wouldn't feel like a prisoner glued to the sofa of my house watching the 1,000th episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond".
I have missed out on so much social aid because of lack of a wheelchair. These places SAY if you are sick or disabled you can conduct your business by phone but that is a complete and TOTAL LIE. I am unable to get food stamps, Medicaide etc. because I have osteomalacia and encephalomyelitis and can't camp out in their office for 4 hours at a time without this wheelchair. I can't sit in their chairs.
I feel guilty not using it, like I'm dishonoring this woman and the memory of her deceased husband. I feel as though I should give it away but I need and want it so badly I just can't bear to do that.
Any suggestions on where I could get funding to buy a lift?
Cathy
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Wheelchair Lift?
- By SickOfBeingSick
- Posted September 28, 2008 at 2:01 pm · 5 replies
- In Financial issues
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- By stevebro
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 11:03 pm
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hello
there are many issues involved in getting a wheelchar aroun. If you don't have the proper van, for instance,you can't take a wheelchair apart to fit in your car (although some simpler models are designed to come apart for the car ride). I believe that you need to enlist the services of a local advocacy/counseling group. They are advocates and problem solvers. I don't know which organization is best where you live, but try the net. Google "League for people with disabilities (or handicapped) and the name of your city and state as a starting point. Organizations refer you to others which may be able to help where they don't have the ability. Good luck and keep moving!
- By jan3
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 11:03 pm
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Hi Cathy,
We might have a power lift that would work for you. What kind of vehicle do you own? Please e-mail me and lets see if we can help.
Jan at jbergma1@sbcglobal.net
- By psjaquith
- Posted October 13, 2008 at 8:53 pm
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I don't know if you have Medicaid or other waiver that can help you, or perhaps local entitiy. I have a trailer for my chair. How independently do you travel? Do you have someone who helps you in and out of your vehicle?
If you have a medical equipment vendor, he/she would work with you to see which type of equipment would be best for both you and for you vehicle. Because my daughter is multihandicapped and I have some handicaps, it was impossible for me to disassemble the chair to load. I have a multi-lift inside my mini-van that transfers her from chair to van and back again..then chair rolls onto the trailer.
Depends on your level of mobility. It is difficult at times as to back and hips with the straps but the trailer will lift up high enough to make it doable. I have connective tissue disorder but at this time my fingers will still work to handle the buttons.
- By suzanne22452
- Posted October 14, 2008 at 6:44 am
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You may also be able to contact your local transportation authority there... over here we have a program called metro access and also there are a few other transportation programs available through medicaid and another called para-transit... you could check into what your county and state offer and also what medicaid or if covered by medicare, what transportation programs they have available. All are no cost. You will have to take an active roll in obtaining a mode of transportation for yourself. Some services offer wheelchair curbside pick up.. some will come and assist from out of the house into their wheelchair lift van.. some programs will only transport you to and from dr. appts. and the like. (no social). Also... in addition... you may want to try contacting some of the nice folks that are members through some of your local civic associations... such as lions club, kiwanis, rotary. They are very helpful and generally will try and assist and find solutions to a problem that exists in their districts. Also... a final note... have you tried contacting one of the jewish social service agencies in your area... they are terrific and if they dont have an answer usually will find someone who will. Again... you will have to take an ACTIVE roll in obtaining what you need. If you are not able to do this... lots of telephoning.... then perhaps spouse, grown children, relatives, friends, church or synogogue (social services) can assist you. All the best and good luck!
- By BravesLover
- Posted October 15, 2009 at 5:21 pm
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I have the same problem, my insurance paid for my motorized wheel chair but I don't have a lift on the back of my 2003 Ford Escape. If anyone out there knows who might have one in southern Okalhoma that is real cheap or free. Would you email me at tinam_328@hotmail.com I would greatly appreciate it. They are going to do a story in my local newspaper on me do you think it would be wrong to ask them to set up an account at my bank where donations could be put into for me. Tina
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