michigani
07-29-2008, 08:32 PM
I'm finally ordering a scooter. I still walk around in my house okay. I cook, wash dishes, vacuum and stuff like that (although it gets me tired). I told MDA I REALLY need something outdoors to take to the park or ball games with my family, etc. My big fear is that when I test drive them in a few days that I won't be able to get out of the thing. I'm afraid they'll tell me a scooter is not for me. How does everyone else deal with this that has a chair or scooter? I'd love to hear from someone with personal experience.
Mark
Mark
Sponsor
Madalot
07-30-2008, 09:48 AM
Hey Mark!!
When I made the decision that I needed a chair or scooter, I went to a local place that specializes in helping people pick the right chair or scooter for their present and future needs. Based on a diagnosis of MD, the specialist (also named Mark) said that he did not recommend a scooter as the possibility did exist that in the future, I wouldn't have the strength to run it properly since I would need to have my arms up. He recommended a powerchair, which is what I ended up doing.
I do not have trouble getting out of the chair. It's high enough, with arms, and I am able to get out of it fairly easily. I always make sure that it's powered OFF before I get in or out of it in case I accidentally hit the joystick!!
This chair was designed and manufactured specifically for me and I'm guessing that the height of the seat was also made specifically for me to enable me to get out of it by myself.
If you have any other specific questions, just post and I'll answer as soon as I can!!
Good luck! I hope you get your scooter or chair soon.
When I made the decision that I needed a chair or scooter, I went to a local place that specializes in helping people pick the right chair or scooter for their present and future needs. Based on a diagnosis of MD, the specialist (also named Mark) said that he did not recommend a scooter as the possibility did exist that in the future, I wouldn't have the strength to run it properly since I would need to have my arms up. He recommended a powerchair, which is what I ended up doing.
I do not have trouble getting out of the chair. It's high enough, with arms, and I am able to get out of it fairly easily. I always make sure that it's powered OFF before I get in or out of it in case I accidentally hit the joystick!!
This chair was designed and manufactured specifically for me and I'm guessing that the height of the seat was also made specifically for me to enable me to get out of it by myself.
If you have any other specific questions, just post and I'll answer as soon as I can!!
Good luck! I hope you get your scooter or chair soon.
michigani
07-30-2008, 02:25 PM
Thanks Kathy, your reply did boost my confidence a bit. My arms are in much better shape than my legs. I'm still lifting light dumbbells over my head and trying to keep them in good condition. I can get out of my computer chair. I keep it in the highest position (about 18-20 inches) and I can get out of it if I back it against the wall. I'm hoping the scooter will be similar. It can be set up to 24" high. I'm really looking forward to getting something with wheels. I can't walk safely with my cane anymore. I get too scared. I've been using my walker for the last 2 months and feel much safer. Thanks again.
dkbladez
08-02-2008, 06:32 PM
Hello Mark,
I can get out of my power chair fairly easy on a good day :). But sometimes I am so weak I can't get out of it. I don't need a lot of help to get out of it like in my manual chair, because there is no way I can get out my manual chair without help. My chair does have an adjustable seat and I believe mine is on the middle level, so I can lift it up another notch if need be. I did see in a book that they do have some that lift you up, so please check around. Good Luck!!!
I can get out of my power chair fairly easy on a good day :). But sometimes I am so weak I can't get out of it. I don't need a lot of help to get out of it like in my manual chair, because there is no way I can get out my manual chair without help. My chair does have an adjustable seat and I believe mine is on the middle level, so I can lift it up another notch if need be. I did see in a book that they do have some that lift you up, so please check around. Good Luck!!!
michigani
08-07-2008, 03:35 PM
Thanks Shellette! I ordered my scooter on Tuesday 8/5. They told me 8 weeks......:(. Anyway I'm looking forward to being mobile again:). I appreciate the info. PS - I didn't actually test drive one or even sit in one. The scooter rep just measured me and my house layout.
npwnry
08-09-2008, 10:29 PM
Mark,
I saw this too late, but I figured I'd answer anyway.
A couple comments:
- I had my evaluation done at a hospital in the OT department, and the room had one of those adjustable-height beds. That made it possible to transfer onto the bed and then it rose up a couple of feet and I could slide off of it to get off.
- More generally, the idea of buying something you can barely get out of sounds like a red flag to me. The attitude of the specialists who have evaluated me for this type of equipment has been that -- because it often requires substantial financial investment -- you want to find something that's likely to work for you for some time, not something that kind of works now but could become unusable in 3 months if you get a little weaker. It sounds like if the height goes up to 24" that should be okay for you for a while. In the case of my chair, I got one with a seat elevator which can raise the seat height up to about an additional 10" (31" or so in total), which makes it very easy for me to get out of.
I saw this too late, but I figured I'd answer anyway.
A couple comments:
- I had my evaluation done at a hospital in the OT department, and the room had one of those adjustable-height beds. That made it possible to transfer onto the bed and then it rose up a couple of feet and I could slide off of it to get off.
- More generally, the idea of buying something you can barely get out of sounds like a red flag to me. The attitude of the specialists who have evaluated me for this type of equipment has been that -- because it often requires substantial financial investment -- you want to find something that's likely to work for you for some time, not something that kind of works now but could become unusable in 3 months if you get a little weaker. It sounds like if the height goes up to 24" that should be okay for you for a while. In the case of my chair, I got one with a seat elevator which can raise the seat height up to about an additional 10" (31" or so in total), which makes it very easy for me to get out of.