Wheelchair help

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Sezeelson
Sezeelson Member Posts: 133
edited 23. Oct 2013, 18:50 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all,

I am still physically able to walk and with my dogs I must walk everyday for their sake and for mine!

That being said, some days I really struggle to get about and I'm also always turning down days and trips out as I worry about what might happen when the pain kicks in which does not help with my mental health disorder and I'm now housebound without my dog.

It's not something I'll ever rely on as I know how important it is to keep moving even when it hurts.

How do I find the right one? It must be self propelled & I'm very petite, size 6 and only 5.1 (I wear 11-12 years old clothing :roll: ) can you get different sizes or will I need to look at child's/teens chairs?

Is there any reason I should avoid a second hand/refurb? As it is for light use I don't want to pay out for a band new one and my mum can help me remake the seating and cushiony bits! My dad being a mechanic can check the frame, treat any minor rusting and respray if needed.

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  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Suggest you go to a disability shop and test out a few , once you decide what you need , there's always eb#y .
    Jillyb
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I know that you can buy fairly cheap lightweight foldable wheelchairs, I've seen them in catalogues, but generally they are not self-propelling. I suspect that you will need some degree of upper-body strength to move yourself, do you have that or are your handds, wrists, arms or shoulders arthritis-affected? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    The others are right, go to a mobility shop and test out as many as you can. I do suggest you get one with solid wheels so you don't have to worry with punctures or flat tyres. I have one with solid wheels. My OH got a good wheelchair from ebay for me, brand new, solid tyres, light weight and self propel. Cost him £75 with free delivery. That was 4yrs.
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 8,935
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hello Sezeelson
    have you thought of trying a mobility scoota. I have one I use it to take my dog for a walk and I go to the shops on it my sister takes hers in the shop.
    I hope you find what you want.
    take care.
    joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,716
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    My wheelchair comes courtesy of the NHS and Occupational Therapy. It's one that my husband pushes but I think they do self-propelled ones for those who can. I was 'measured' but I think they only did small, medium and large. I'm sure they'd do children's sizes too, though.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I got my wheelchair off Eb**...there is a very large mobility shop on there..and I saved £100...on the same one in my local mobility shop.
    If I can find the invoice I will PM you the name..but please check the price I found such a difference for the same chair...
    Love
    Barbara
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    stickywicket wrote:
    My wheelchair comes courtesy of the NHS and Occupational Therapy. It's one that my husband pushes but I think they do self-propelled ones for those who can. I was 'measured' but I think they only did small, medium and large. I'm sure they'd do children's sizes too, though.

    I also have a wheelchair courtesy of the NHS, it's my main chair! I have 2, the other one that my OH brought from Ebay is for holidays so that my main one wouldn't be damaged. My main one has all sorts of bells & whistles on it!
    I'm under the impression that my Dr's practice paid for it, I'm not 100% sure?
  • lululu
    lululu Member Posts: 486
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Your GP is the person to ask, he can ask the Wheelchair Service to provide one for you free of charge, as we know being disabled can be quite expensive so try to get one free before you go to buy one.
  • Sezeelson
    Sezeelson Member Posts: 133
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Thank you everyone for your help!

    I do have arthritis throughout my upper body but I will be pushed the majority of the time. I just feel I would have more control with a self propelled as I'm not completely unable so should be able to wheel my self short distance and out of people's way etc. :)

    I completely forgot about disability shops!? I have 2 quite local to me so I will definitely go and have a look and see what suits me the best and also make sure I can physically control a self propelled wheel chair.

    I'll get in touch with my GP or specialist as well, I didn't know you could get them on the NHS so definitely worth a try if I can! I don't see why not but I don't the know the criteria in order to qualify for one!

    Thanks again everyone :D
    I'll let you know how I get on
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