My Process For A New Wheelchair

Hello all! Today I wanted to share my wheelchair stories and my tips for getting a new one!

Since my family can't afford a van, (why are they so ridiculously expensive?!), we have had to adjust. Honestly, most of my chairs have been smaller due to this. I'm finally able to get better chairs now, due to my body’s needs, I need a bigger, more supportive chair. In the past, I have not had the best ones, but we had to adjust to what we needed at the time.

State program helps with funds to solve car problem

This time, it was suggested that we use the company DriveMaster to get a ramp put on my mom’s car to support my current chair. Without it, I wouldn't be able to have the freedom I have now! This was the only way to get freedom because of the chair’s weight.

I’m thankful to Drivemaster and to a state program called DDD (Division of Developmental Disabilities)! This program gives me a yearly budget for things like when insurance denied chair parts, they helped cover it or things that help make my life easier like a getting a bath chair!

Replacing my first proper wheelchair

With all this being said, my current chair is incredible! It's the first proper chair that I've had since high school, (but that was a temporary fix since I had to get a terrible one from Walmart because insurance called my new one a luxury item!!! You can't make this up!)

So, my current chair was rushed so I wouldn't fall from my old one. As much as I love my current girl, things definitely need to be fixed. My armrest and the joystick position have been tricky. It's just the way that the chair was made. It's hard to explain, but it's always been an issue.

Another thing that I didn't realize is a must is having a tilt back feature. My current chair has one, but for some reason, it doesn't work anymore. Plus, when it worked, my mom had to tilt me, but I want to be able to do it to figure out what position is the best.

What I want in a wheelchair

To be honest, I'm trying to figure out what kind I had in high school. We weren't allowed to keep it because the school paid for it. I believe it was a Permobil but I'm not sure. I just loved how I could control everything from speed to tilting.

I’m definitely researching chairs, and it's so much fun to see what features have been added! I saw someone online be able to have their phone right there next to them AND have a charging port there as well!!! Not sure how that works but that's also a must because my phone is 100% a lifesaver for me not just a convenience!

Tips for finding a new wheelchair

As far as tips go, here are my top three:

1. Consult or find a local chair provider. My team is awesome in helping me find the right equipment. We discuss what would feel right for me and body as well as what models are out there. If you don't have a chair provider, definitely do your research and get one, they're so helpful!
2. Definitely do your own research! As much discussion with your chair provider is great, I like to look for myself as well and see what my friends have and what tools help them!
3. Get ahead of the planning! My unintentional habit was waiting until my chair was not in the best condition to make the switch. I have now learned that if I have the option, plan ahead because it takes insurance and doctors forever to say yes to getting a new chair. It's a headache, but so worth it.

Exciting, while frustrating, process

My brain lights up so much thinking about this stuff, although as I'm sure we all know, the process can be frustrating, so we (mom, me, and my chair team) have decided to start the process early to make sure I can get everything!

At the conference last year, I was looking at all the chairs and trying to see all the brands. It's so interesting seeing all the things they've added and technology. I'm so excited to get a bigger one.

Someone had a purple one that I loved. I will always love my current chair, but like I mentioned, my needs are changing. I can't wait to be comfortable and more independent, that's the ultimate goal. I feel like I haven't felt that in a while because again, this chair was temporary.

I'm dreaming of the day I can be comfortable, free and independent again.