Free Trial of Electric Wheelchair

[Blair1]

I've just joined this interesting forum, and wondered if anyone could help me with some info?

My partner who is recovering from a catastrophic stroke he suffered earlier this year has a 'manual' wheelchair, and though he has impaired vision, wondered if there was any company in the Dover area of Kent, which would allow him to trial any type of electric/powered wheelchair. This would enable him to decide whether it was realistic, practical and safe, both for himself and others, before deciding to spend ever dwindling savings on such a pricey purchase.

Many thanks in advance for any help/ideas. We really are struggling with all types of issues, so any help much appreciated.

Regards
Blair1

[Account removed]

The thing is trying out an electric wheel chair would be of little real use, what you need to do is go back to your GP and ask him to send your partner to the rehab Unit, if he had a stroke I take it they sent him to the hospital and the Physiotherapy Unit, this will have a specialist rehab unit in it. They are by far the best way to get a Electric wheelchair as the people are trained to know what you need.

So many cowboys within disability and especially wheelchairs you think one is perfect and the next thing your spending a fortune trying to fix it, Most companies even the cowboys will let you have a chair for a week on trial but that's not what your partner needs what he needs is to be weighed, and fitted for the chair they need to measure the strength in his hands and muscles, his height and then they will pass this on to a company whom they know will give him the correct chair.

I just took a look at Electric wheelchairs in Dover and loads came back and some allowed trials but believe me the best way to go is to be fitted, nothing worse then spending £1500 for a wheelchair that does not work breaks down or makes your life worse because it does not suit you.

That the thing I did after I bought one from what I thought was a reliable company and for the next year I spent about as much as I spent buying new batteries and repairs, in the end my GP sent me back to the hospital and within a month my chair was ready and it was the right one for me and it cost me half as much as the one I bought..

I take it your partner is getting DLA or he's now getting PIP's if not then go for it, Mobility has some great chairs which are fitted to the person and then you can hire them or buy them.

[Blair1]

Many thanks Treborc for your helpful reply.

We have had a wheelchair assessment through the NHS and cannot complain; they have been very helpful, but say currently, due to his vision impairment, an electric one is not suitable. My partner is worried that eventually, I won't be able to physically push him in his current one. I'm sure this is a common worry for folk in our situation, and people find ways to deal with it.

He does receive higher rate AA, but being in his late 60's he is not eligible for Mobility Allowance. This I find strange, as, why does entitlement to this have an age cut-off?

I am new to this world of disability and caring, and try to 'fight his corner' as he is unable to do so. It is not easy, but I am determined to continue doing so, on his behalf, and I do thank you again, for taking the time to reply. It's much appreciated.

Regards
Blair1

[dlfteam]

There are add-on power units for manual wheelchairs although they are not cheap and they do require some practice to master-
http://www.dlf-data.org.uk/report_it...b72ed4115&view

If you need help with funding for such equipment you might take a look at Charity Search-
http://www.charitysearch.org.uk/

the organisation 'Turn2us' can advise on the benefits minefield-
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/

I hope the links are useful
DLF

[Blair1]

Thank you to the DLF Staff for the info you have given me. I will investigate all the links, when time allows. There is so much 'out there' - it's knowing what is available and where to look.

Much appreciated
Blair1