Walking Way Overrated: Anita's New Wheelchair Grand Finale!

Yay guys!  Hopefully in the last eight months or so, any of you who are seeking to get a new wheelchair or want to recommend it to someone that you care about, you're able to glean some information from the process that I've been going through...

To cut to the chase, if you wish dive right in to share the joy with me!

And then last week (hence the new video) the Grand Finale that I am sharing with you today, is because on February 20, 2018, my favourite tech and salesperson from our vendor, took my chair in the morning, returning it with replaced parts and the long awaited for bestest back to date, the Jay 3 back, is back number five. 
Watch The Grand Finale Below! 

Using a wheelchair for 90% of my life, this past experience was the longest "in the process," process, that I've ever went through. It definitely requires the patience of God, as well as helping with research, instead of what I did before - nothing. I would just let the salesperson  and professionals, tell me what I needed. I didn't think we were allowed to get involved, turns out I was wrong. This time around, I learned that I was able to do my own research on Internet, looking at a plethora of options that are out there. The sales person, that we've known and loved for over 20 years, helped me out tremendously, accepting my choices, bringing them to fruition.

The long timeline,  makes complete sense, when your physical needs have escalated. It is why was the physiotherapist and occupational therapists, make sure that your seating needs are met to the best of their ability. And I'm sure it is why, in our province of Ontario, we are permitted to get a new back and  cushion every two years. Why did I wait 12 years? Just didn't know that new backs for possible. By now I know. Having wonky seating definitely has helped encourage my back to curve more. I look forward to years of more support. Especially, since we now have a really good supportive bed. (more on that and another video/blog soon) High-level needs people such as myself, have ever-changing physical needs regarding seating support and such.

My new wheelchair process, has been going on since April 2017 to be exact. That was when I first received my new power tilt Motion Concepts/Invacare wheelchair. To give a brief summary, in case you don't know, on the very first day, I had joystick troubles so my chair shutdown sporadically. As often happens, the specialized wheelchairs, with various components need to be tried out. Went through a few headrest options. And the biggest was finding the best back for my requirements.
The goal of course, is to find what works for each client. Which meant for me, the first back didn't work for my spine needs. The long and the short of it is. Due to technical difficulties, my entire wheelchair was fully replaced once, along with some other minor issues about parts that needed to be switched out, including another joystick and my power tilt components.

To find out just how well my entire new chair is take a watch below!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Anita's New Chair Process: Finding a source of PAIN- When using a new wheelchair

Hi guys! As you know (Well, That's if you follow this blog at all) I have been going through and getting a new chair process. Just when I thought everything was a go, Turns out the back I thought would work is causing some pain.  So

much pain and discomfort, That I needed to go back Into my old clunker  wheelchair. Don't get me wrong, it is still - "Old Faithful," and I am thankful for it, that is for sure. It can cause pain too, but, the reasons are covered in my new short video.

I decided to do an illustration to show reasons your wheelchair may be causing pain. What matters most is finding the cause so you ca rectify it. Now this is only if you know for sure it is NOT due to your condition. I have severe 80 degree plus scoliosis "S" curve with rotation.

Watch My SHORT Video Below

Unexpected Journey: Back In The Saddle Again!

Yay, just a couple of days since my Braking Question, I  am back in the saddle again! If you are interested in knowing a wee bit about my buying a new wheelchair process, wath the brand NEW Video I made just after our vendor and technician set everything into motion. Three backs and headrests later, we have selected what most likely, will work best for me, 

Watch!!

CHAIR MATTERS: Finding A Hole In A ROHO Wheelchair Cushion

You have to watch this video to see how Craig finds and repairs the leaks in his ROHO air cushion. It may even help people find tire tube leaks  for bicycles too.
Thanks for watching!

CRAIG'S NEW WHEELCHAIR IS IN!....Well Sort Of

A while ago I said we would post the steps that Craig was going through to replace his dilapidated eight year old manual wheelchair. I apologize,  I haven't written since that day. What I can say is, the

That meant, the vendor representative had to come and finalize all the details and specifications of the chair. If you are in need or will be in need of a wheelchair for the first time, you will learn that just getting any old wheelchair isn't what is best. Yes, in countries where mobility devices are hard to come by, many will use whatever means they have to get around. In our country and I assume the US of A, a physic therapist or occupational therapist assesses your needs. In Craig's case, they made sure the seat dimensions were correct, as well as the height from the seat to the floor and the height of the back of his wheelchair. If there are weight issues, then they also need to make sure the client weighs under 250 pounds or maybe with the brand/model he is getting it is 260 pounds. He found out after purchasing the Quickie Xtender power assist wheels that there is a 250 pound weight restriction. Not something  you want to find out after you purchase a device like that. We discovered the warranty would be void if he exceeded that limit. Thankfully, he was under, but it sure opened our eyes to not assuming, the vendor will let you know all those kinds of details. I know weight can be a sensitive issue for some, but it is better than finding out after the purchase, that your chair can't can't handle your weight and can't be fixed under warranty. Be sure to do your research on the product as well as the specifications and restrictions.

Aside from those details, they also needed to make sure that he gets the special supports under his arm rests. Some people use their arm rests to lean on for transferring. Like Craig has done. It means standard chair arm rests can not handle the force nd pressure and require metal bracing underneath the arm part. Often when a new chair is ordered, a new medical cushion is required as well. Google wheelchair cushions and you will find many exist. However, we only recommend ROHO cushions. They are rubber, with air modules or cells. They come in different thicknesses and the air can be distributed evenly in one big compartment or as in my case, I have the Quatro version, divided into, you guessed it, quarters. Because I have severe scoliosis, the valve can be released, so I can learn one way or the other, let the air fill up more in one of the quarters, then lock that air in place. You never want to just use a cheap foam cushion if you are a regular, full time wheelchair user. You can end up with serious conditions that are avoidable like, pressure ulcers or osteomyelitis bone infections. And just plain, pain!
Supports Needed
Some folks like myself, require physical supports that can be inserted once in your chair. Or some have a specialized wheelchair back that can have lumbar supports that are permanent or removable, and/or swing away lateral supports and such - all to help keep your spine straight. Many, including myself, can end up with scoliosis as a secondary issue, due to poor seating or lack of seating supports. Sitting in a wheelchair that doesn't have proper positioning for your body, can lead to physical deformities that could be avoided if everything was well supported.
Patience Required
As for Craig's Chair, it was officially ordered over one month ago so today he phoned the vendor to find out if it is in yet. And yay, it is in their building! He is in desperate need of it because his old one is literally falling apart.  They told him that it isn't assembled yet. So he has to be patient along with however many other customers. An understandable thing, but hopefully it happens soon because the back canes that broke a while ago, are twisting and messing with the chair.
Since he has to wait, he just left to get the hand brake fixed because it is letting loose, not a good thing when you are transferring from point A to B. At least it is in the city. As well, the vendor has to set up the chair according to the specifications decided upon in the seating clinic with the physical therapist and vendor.
So that is where Craig's new chair is at as of this moment. As soon as there is more movement, I shall post some more!
Have a great day!
Any questions, comments or suggestions about topics, please comment down below!

Okay, that's not Craig or his new wheelchair! This is the olympic athlete Jean Driscoll! Cool wheelchair meant for racing!