wheelchairs from motability

[sandy34]

i have an O.T.coming next week do i ask her about having a wheelchair.
i have been told in the past to have one but refused but i feel now i really need one.
besides my eds which causes a lot of problems i wear braces everywhere to keep the joints stable,but i find this very stress ful and uncomfortable just to be able to walk a feww steps atound the house.
ialso get very tired through pain and the chronic progressive liver disease i have. i feel as if i am giving in but i am really down and all my energy is at an all time low.

the only thing is i dont know how i would propel the chair with my my shoulders and elbows.

soccial sevices called last week and they have put the referral to an O.T.
for assessment for other aids,besides the rails i am having fitted.
like many with our problems i fall all the time.

so for the moan
sandy

[nonyanomemory]

Hi Sandy,
Please don't apologise - you have no need to. With your combined conditions I actually think that using a wheelchair may enable you to feel less tired as you will be able to conserve your energy. If it helps you to feel less down about it you could view your use of a wheelchair as a positive thing and include it in a pacing programme for your day. Using the wheelchair for particularly tiring activity could well leave you with enough energy to include a small amount of exercises approved suitable for you. I wonder if you have a gym ball at all for core stabilising exercise which can be particularly useful for improving muscle tone in those with hms, they can even be used for sitting at the pc! Although obtaining the advice of a physio so that you are using one safely and for the right amount of time etc.. I think would be best. You may find that using a wheelchair may actually empower you and whilst I completely empathise in your reluctance to use one because of your complex medical situation I fully understand just how tiring each day must be. I do think you should discuss fully the type of wheelchair which would be suitable as manual wheelchairs can be problematical for those with shoulder, hand, problems etc.

Please let us know how you get on and in the meantime here's a virtual I know but you sound a little down, take care Sandy, nonya

[Sandy L]

Might you be able to get a powered wheelchair?

[sandy34]

thank you for your replies.

i have in the past tried a lot of physio and when i went to london to see DR AKHIM he told me that phsio was not the answer anymore for me,and he commented that i had been given the correct procedure in the past of the bracing of my joints.
he then told me the same to have a wheelchair has a help to conserve my energy.
i think this maybe the way forward for me.

the only problem is the width of my doorwaysand the prob;em of using one with my hands and shoulders.
do the OT give you a wheelchair or my GP.
SANDY

[nonyanomemory]

Hi Sandy,

Hi sorry about the physio suggestion - you have mentioned previously that this is not an option, so sorry for my lack of memory . The gym ball isnt really physio to be honest and we have one in the front room that I use for a portion of my time whilst sitting at the pc. The children tend to use it also to watch the tv. It was only a thought but I do understand that you have been told not to attend physio by Dr Hakim. The thing with a gym ball is that it helps improve core stability so even by sitting on it for a short period one works stablising muscles which can really help support the back etc and help with pain when sitting down even. I mentioned in my post the possibility of a powered wheelchair as well and I really think this aspect should be discussed fully bearing in mind you have mentioned the problem of your hands etc. Did Dr Hakim write in his report that you should use a wheelchair as this should assist you in your need. I'm so sorry but I am not entirely sure who the referral goes through for the wheelchair OT or GP, try pm'ing AlisonC who is an occupational therapist who may know unless a forum user who has one posts in reply first.
Here is a link to this site which gives further links (scroll down in link for the info) disabled facilities grant info - link to this site I think each council varies in help offered but they are generally means tested although don't take dla into account. It would be worth discussing this also with your OT because it sounds as though waiting for the assessment etc. before you can use a wheelchair is not a good option for you, it may be that a lighterweight model etc would be appropriate. I hope I have been able to be of some help and in the meantime take care. nonya

[Rosie]

Hi Sandy

I would like to add a little to what Nonya has said about the gymn ball. I have problems with physio as I find it so painful. I need it as my core stability and muscle tone are so poor, but doing any exercise causes more pain and more damage. I discussed this with the physio at UCHL and she said to start what I can already do without too much pain. In my case that means sitting on the gymn ball for about 30 seconds. The idea then is to increase, very slowly, the length of time, and the number of times, all the time keeping it just within my comfort zone.
I use a wheelchair sometimes when I go out. I cannot self-propel as my shoulders and wrists cannot cope, and I don't use sticks or crutches for the same reason. I have splints for my wrists and ankles. I need someone to push my wheelchair, without this I would definitely need an electric one. However, I still bought a self-propelling wheelchair as it allows me to at least position myself, even if I can't move far.
I know some people on here have had wheelchairs reccommended by OTs so yes, asl her next week. I was fed up with waiting for an OT to come and see me so I bought one from e-bay!

Rosie

[sandy34]

well i had my visit today from my OT and iwas very surprised she was really really helpful.
i am having a stair lift,electic whheelchair,a wet floor shower room downstairs and the floors all made to one level.
she also said for me to have a pillow lifter that will help me out of bed thease are just a few.
all the are going to make thing a lot easy.
they are all on a grant which she says is means tested,can anyone tell what the criteria for this grant is.

sandy

[dimples]

can anyone give tips on propelling a wheelchair? I keep subluxing my hands and get pins and needles for days my hands feel bruised and i can't use them. i have waited over nine months for social services ot assessment where i hope to get an electric chair as well as ramps outside. meantime any advice will help

[sarahh]

Hi Dimples have you got gloves that you can wear when using your wheelchair as I think these support your hands.

[Sandy L]

Dimples:
All seriousness aside, that's what electric motors are made for. I am not sure there is any safe way for you to push by hand. You might have a little better luck lining up your forearm in the same plane as the wheel, so that you are not pushing or pulling with your wrist at an angle.

[dimples]

thanks for the replies guys. i have seen mr bird today and asked about an electric scooter and he thinks it would be best as i have an underlying condition that is making my eds worse. while waiting for that to arrive which could be months [the one i have was nearly a year] does anyone know where i could buy covers for the spokes? i keep trapping my fingers even with gloves on

[nonyanomemory]

link

Hi dimples,

Above is one link to covers but they seem dreadfully expensive! I wonder whether there is someone out there who knows of a cheaper source? This was just found from a google search. Its good to hear from you again, take care nonya.

[dimples]

i would have to go out begging on the streets to afford those covers i think losing my fingers is cheaper option i'll keep looking thanks though

[nonyanomemory]

I completely agree on the outrageous price - Its a long shot but I wonder if anyone within the group here could offer any advice at all. wheelchairusers.org

Alternatively I wonder whether something like these gloves pusher gloves would help as a short term solution to give better grip and pushing power to save your poor fingers.

Lets hope the wait for the power chair is much shorter than a year. I am thinking of you.

take care nonya

[dimples]

thanks for the link they didnt have anything for wheelychairs as usual. i found these though which i hope will do http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Suntour-Suntour-push-on-fixing-clear-plastic-spoke-protector-Max-28T-10603.htm
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=Shimano&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=&ProdID=5300004525&UberCat=0
far cheaper than the wheelchair covers