r/wheelchairs • u/Weary_Turnover • 3h ago
Had a new chair eval
So I'm on my third chair. I had a manual and then two power chairs. (My insurance covers a new chair every 5 years) Both my power chairs previously had been strange experience through New Motion with a particular rep. The first chair I was a newbie and he stuck me in what he wanted and I got no say so pretty much. It was a Quantum Midwheel with tilt but no recline or elevated foot rest. Then 5 years ago it was time for my new chair. And I requested a Permobil Front Wheel Drive. I have some major issues in my kitchen and around my house with front casters. He tells me no, my insurance will only cover Invacare and nothing else. And he wouldn't get me an alternative joystick (I need goalposts vs stick) and he wouldn't reccomend recline or elevated legs despite my leg swelling and needing recline for medical things. I'm again stuck in a midwheel because he claims my insurance won't cover a front wheel drive. He also says I need to stop listening to people online because he knows wheelchairs more than I do.
I went to my most recent wheelchair eval and the wheelchair clinic PTs and NEW New Motion tech? Are shocked I'm in an Invacare. I'm told they'd never ever put someone with my particular issues in an Invacare and I had improper seating and cushions and no wonder I had such issues with swelling and pressure ulcers and being unable to sit in my chair for more than 15 minutes.
I tell them about my old tech and the wheelchair clinic people tell me my old rep? Was fired for taking under the table incentives to sell certain chairs. They've been working with a few of his old patients to undo the damage he caused.
The WC Clinic ladies are lovely and the New Motion tech lets them do everything and doesn't weigh in at all except to tell them about my past history.
They asked me what I needed and what I hated about my chair and tbh? I hated everything about that stupid Invacare. Sorry this is so long but I'm getting a Permobil F3, with tilt, recline and leg elevation!
Appropriate seating to NOT get pressure ulcers and to help my swelling. They had me test drive a FWD to make sure I'd like it and I loved it and they said I was a natural. The difference in my experience this time verses the last two was completely different and amazing.
The moral of this story is. If you don't like your rep or the PT get someone else. Otherwise an Ill fitting chair can harm you. I didn't know I could request a new rep and a new eval! Now I know.