I want a wheelchair so bad

[Arrelety]

Why is every medical professional so ***** about it? I want freedom! Not to be confined to my apartment all day, I want to see my friends and go places and do things without it being awful, tiring, and very painful.

When I impulsively told my family doctor I wanted a wheelchair, her instant response was "No you don't". Everyone talks about how getting in a chair means that I won't be using my muscles as often, and I'll find it harder to live outside of the wheelchair. I get the argument, but also screw them. I've been in pain for years, what's the good of a hypothetical future good that never seems to actualize, when all it really means is that I suffer because they reckon they know better. What a load of garbage

 

[sunkacola]

Sorry to hear you are experiencing this. Personally, I think if that is what you want, no one should have the right to tell you not to get one.

I am assuming you need a referral from your doctor in order for your insurance to help pay for it?

I don't know where you live. But, where I live there are places online where people post things they want to sell, or even give away, and those places also have places for people to post things they are looking for. There are also marketplaces on various social media sites.
There are thrift stores....yard sales....I know a wheelchair doesn't turn up in those places very often, but it would be worth looking, maybe.

Now, I know you wouldn't probably get the kind you want that way. But, it might be better than nothing?
Just a thought. You might not even have the energy to go looking like that. But, maybe if you can put the word out something will materialize for you, you never know. Maybe tell all your friends and associates to keep their eyes open.
Good luck.

 

[30 plus years]

I use a wheelchair when I need one, especially when my feet are in pain.
In malls, parks, arenas. I don't care what anyone thinks about it. Sometimes I might even get up and stand to stretch my legs or whatever, but I do what I need to do.
At first my husband and I tried to see what Medicare would cover, etc., but realized the specialty stores were a real rip-off, even jacking up prices. It's really a crime. We found a company called DRIVE, online, and chose one that's really well-made and comfortable for a little over $100. So happy with our purchase and how easy it was to get it.

 

[sunkacola]

I use a wheelchair when I need one, especially when my feet are in pain.
In malls, parks, arenas. I don't care what anyone thinks about it. Sometimes I might even get up and stand to stretch my legs or whatever, but I do what I need to do.
At first my husband and I tried to see what Medicare would cover, etc., but realized the specialty stores were a real rip-off, even jacking up prices. It's really a crime. We found a company called DRIVE, online, and chose one that's really well-made and comfortable for a little over $100. So happy with our purchase and how easy it was to get it.

Thanks for telling us about this!
I am encouraged to hear this, because while $100 is not pocket change, it is a sum that many people can manage to save up if it's important enough. It's even an amount of money you could get by selling a few things at a yard sale!
I assumed that all wheelchairs would be exorbitant, so this is very good news, and I hope that @Arrelety sees this post.

 

[Arrelety]

Do any of you know the difference between a mobility scooter and a powered wheelchair? I feel like people will make ***** assumptions of I use a scooter, without my cane I look young, thin, and able-bodied

 

[sunkacola]

Do any of you know the difference between a mobility scooter and a powered wheelchair? I feel like people will make ***** assumptions of I use a scooter, without my cane I look young, thin, and able-bodied

They are two very different things.
You can easily see the differences if you look it up online, especially if you look at photographs.
I think a mobility scooter is going to be bulkier and cost more than a regular wheelchair. But if you need a motorized wheelchair, that will run you more money.
Have you considered just getting a walker that has a seat attached to it instead? I don't know if that would work for you or not, it's just an idea.
As for how people perceive you....there will always be people who judge you no matter what. As disabled people, many of us having what is called "invisible disability", this is something we just have to deal with. You have to grow a thick skin so that the judgements of others don't ruin your day.

And by the way, Arrelety, please do not use foul language on the forum. Thanks. I have edited your posts to remove the swear words.

 

[Arrelety]

Apologies, and I do have generally thick skin, but I also want to mitigate any potential harm that might come my way. I have considered a walker, and I believe that it will actively hurt me, but thanks for the suggestion either way

 

[Arrelety]

I should've been more specific as to what I meant by differences. I didn't just mean in terms of how they look. I meant in terms of battery power, handling, social perception, overall accessibility of spaces (though I reckon powered wheelchair wins that contest), ability to climb hills, maintenance costs, etc. I felt it was worth asking because they both seem to be made to do the same thing, and beyond just "They look/cost different", they might be otherwise identical, or radically different.
Apologies for this being two separate posts, I got an error when I tried to edit my previous one to add this

 

[oliv988]

Genuine question, why do you need a doctor to buy a wheel chair? Just get the money and get it, isn't it that simple? What kind of regulations do they have for those to put you in this stressed state

 

[sunkacola]

Genuine question, why do you need a doctor to buy a wheel chair? Just get the money and get it, isn't it that simple? What kind of regulations do they have for those to put you in this stressed state

I think the issue might be.....or, at any rate, it would be for me.......the fact that insurance or Medicare would help to pay for it, or might pay all of the cost, if the doctor would sign off on something saying it is necessary for the patient. Without that, the person is responsible for 100% of the cost, and for some people that would be a considerable challenge to pay. The electric wheelchairs cost a lot. Getting that much money is not a simple matter for everyone.

 

[30 plus years]

I think the issue might be.....or, at any rate, it would be for me.......the fact that insurance or Medicare would help to pay for it, or might pay all of the cost, if the doctor would sign off on something saying it is necessary for the patient. Without that, the person is responsible for 100% of the cost, and for some people that would be a considerable challenge to pay. The electric wheelchairs cost a lot. Getting that much money is not a simple matter for everyone.

That's the thing: Actually trying to go through Medicare in obtaining a wheelchair resulted in discovering the prices in the store were seriously questionable - like they were car salesmen making up prices to see what you'd pay!! And they were extremely high when a price was thrown out (in the store they weren't priced/tagged) like $1000.
Then came some mumbo jumbo about what we'd have to pay after Medicare, etc. Looked online and found a great one for under $200 from DRIVE. Felt like we "beat the system."
At least, this was my experience, anyway...

 

[marymi]

I agree with Sunkacola it should be your decision. You are intelligent and we should all have a choice of what we need to help our quality of life. If that's the way you want to go it is entirely up to you and we are all different. The doctor should just sign the form as you have made your own decision. Makes me mad! and sad!

 

[barbara lowcock]

I am 77 and have just decided to get a mobility scooter. We have just been on a short flight holiday to see friends and while i had to be pushed in a wheelchair the lady next to me had a colapsable scooter and she seemed so free and independant.

It would also mean i could go on walks with my man and the dogs instead of being housebound due to pain in knees ( and everywhere else).

If we go visit stately homes or such i use a mobility scooter or i would be sat in the car.

I have not made this decision lightly as i still feel like it's GIVING IN, But i want some sort of life back.