It's a big decision to get a wheelchair

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
I think it's time. My knees are deteriorating and I have realised life has become very small because I don't want to go anywhere that means walking. My husband is patient but it's not fair. We used to go for days out, museums, art galleries etc.
So I think a nice portable wheelchair would open life up for us again. Just for bigger outings. I have to admit I am not as I once was.
Do people here have one and was it a hard decision?
 

Have you heard of the Motability Scheme? If you are in the market for a powered, electric wheelchair, then one of the best ways to get wheelchair funding is through the Motability Scheme. This scheme is designed to help you purchase electric wheelchairs and vehicles designed to make travelling that much less stressful for you.

For further information, should you need help, can be had at Motability Foundation. You will find much useful information on that website, your finances might well be within the purchase of any sort of wheelchair, even so, look up what's available. Sometimes schemes like grants can be an unexpected, yet pleasant, surprise.
 
I think it would be wonderful to have a chair for those times when you need it. You should still try to walk when you can so you don't lose the ability. I know you are in the UK and the NHS can be difficult at times. It may be that you need knee replacements but I know there could be long wait times. It is time for them to get started to see if that is required so you can get on the list for the soonest available procedure.

I have already had one hip replaced and it has made such a difference. I kind of have to laugh, I have two wheelchairs and one knee chair in my garage. They were not used by me but by a friend. They came to me when he passed but I held onto them just in case. I did have my mother her for a few years and they came in handy when needed.
 

After I broke my leg I rented a wheelchair for a few months and then returned it.

When I got COVID my wonderful son went out and bought me a wheelchair and the very next day it saved me from a bad fall as I stood at the kitchen sink weaving and he pushed the chair behind my knees to break my fall as I passed out. I love the thing.

It stays in the garage most of the time but if I wake up with a pinched nerve or bruised heel -- there it is waiting to make my day easier. I just have to remember to ask someone to put it back in the garage when I get better, before I become completely addicted to it.
 
I was falling years ago so I purchased a wheelchair for about $1000. Best investment I ever made. It turned out I had diabetes and wasn't treating it with insulin. Now it's been over 3 years and being on insulin helped me to be able to walk better. But I still use the wheelchair around the house because sometimes I just feel tired or I use it as my desk chair which allows me to be mobile without jumping up and down.

I wasn't sure whether I should get an electric one at first but the prices didn't encourage me.

I figured I'd start out cheap and if in time I need an electric one, I'll get one then.
 
There are basally two types of manual wheelchairs. One is called a transfer chair with 4 small wheels. I bought one for my late wife, because I was always with her.
The other is the standard chair with 2 big wheels so a person can propel themselves.. The transfer chair is much lighter and much less expensive.
I used to repair both types while volunteering at a hospice.
 
Rose65 said:
Thanks, that's a lot of useful information.

I'm thinking a light portable foldup one to use only when out where walking some distance is necessary. Just to prevent me straining my knees.
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I don't know your brands in the UK but in the US, Drive and Medline are good for transport chairs. You will need someone to push you in a transport chair. Drive also makes very nice rollators with large wheels that are popular. They have a seat where you can stop, set the brakes, and rest before walking again.
 
bowmore said:
There are basally two types of manual wheelchairs. One is called a transfer chair with 4 small wheels. I bought one for my late wife, because I was always with her.
The other is the standard chair with 2 big wheels so a person can propel themselves.. The transfer chair is much lighter and much less expensive.
I used to repair both types while volunteering at a hospice.
Click to expand...
I have both types because I needed a narrow one in the beginning to get through the bathroom door on the 2nd floor.
 
Choosing the right tires on your wheelchair is very important. Determining the terrain you will be using it on will help you choose. There's a polyurethane tire and a regular type tire (with tube), if I'm remembering correctly.
It's been a while since I've worked for the company. They may even have more styles now.

Check out Quickie Wheelchairs.
 
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Rose65 said:
I think it's time. My knees are deteriorating and I have realised life has become very small because I don't want to go anywhere that means walking. My husband is patient but it's not fair. We used to go for days out, museums, art galleries etc.
So I think a nice portable wheelchair would open life up for us again. Just for bigger outings. I have to admit I am not as I once was.
Do people here have one and was it a hard decision?
Click to expand...
I hope you are able to get one for your particular needs and it gives you more freedom to enjoy your life!
 
I'm finding that my wife's difficulty walking long distances is severely limiting our ability to travel even to things that both of us want to attend. I made up my mind to buy a foldable travel chair. The one we are looking at is much like those used in airports all across the country, but is foldable, light weight, and has 12' wheels on the rear to make it capable of use on most any surface. The additional advantage is that we will have it at our destination and can take some of the tours we would otherwise miss out on.
 
I've been wheelchair-bound twice, once for nearly a year and a second time for a few months or so....not by choice, though, really. Although, I guess I could've chosen to live in bed.

But anyway, I don't think it's a tough choice, Rose65. It'll improve your life. I know that from experience.

In addition to a wheelchair, you might think about also getting one of those walkers that doubles as a wheelchair. It's a walker with a forward-facing bench seat on it, so when you get too tired or sore to walk, you can sit and have your husband push it just like a regular wheelchair. But they're smaller than a wheelchair, way less bulky, so they're great for getting around the house.
 

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