As we all are aware, it’s difficult enough when you develop a disability to whatever degree, and I have recently found another way that we can become let down by indifference and ignored. I do realise that compared to some on this forum this is not a big problem but it’s irritating none the less and in my view the root of it is an attitude that disabled people don’t count.
I became confined to a wheelchair about 2 and a half years ago after a severe relapse. Manual wheelchair OK at home but I bought an electric one at immense cost about 12 months ago. It has really served its purpose in allowing me to get out, but last week one tyre was flat. I was able to inflate it but within a couple of hours it was flat again, so it seems like a puncture. I called the place I had bought it and apparently tyres don’t fall within the warranty. I can just about live with that and they gave me a number of a company who do repairs. They were useless when they came round, and weren’t able to deal with tyres (despite me describing what the problem was on the phone.)
I have now tried a few other places who didn’t seem particularly keen for the business, and bear in mind I am willing to pay them to do it, not willingly, but it’s the only way I can see out of this. I am still waiting for one company to get back to me despite chasing them twice this week.
Eventually I tried to get the size of the inner tube from the original dealer. Again this was like drawing teeth but I now have the information. With luck I will now get one, and I hope to be able to rope in a friend to assist with replacing it. Unlikely to be before next week now, so I will have been confined to my home for two weeks, despite being willing to pay for work if anyone wanted to do it.
What is especially galling is the attitude of the original dealer to after sales service - ie don’t want to know. This is even more idiotic when you think that at some time I would be looking for a replacement chair anyway. As for the other places, what is the point of advertising that you are a wheelchair repair specialist if you don’t then do it?
Hi Millar,sorry to hear about the problem you had with the puncture,I took punctured tyre to Halfords they mended the puncture and then filled it with a jel to stop future punctures and it all cost less than a tenner ,hope it helps it might be worth a phone call to ask them as the wheels aren’t much different to a cycle good luck mate
Joe - the tyres are very similar to bicycle tyres but a different size so I see how you dealt with it. Problem I have is getting to the bicycle repair place as I need the wheelchair to do it. I do have a manual wheelchair from the NHS, which is fine indoors but very difficult without someone to push it. To add to the frustration, I live alone so no one immediately available.
Boudicca
I totally agree that it is a disgrace. It that the dealer had a link to another company who supposedly did repairs and servicing. I suspect it is the servicing aspect they are more interested in as it involves turning up. performing a few checks then getting paid. Doing repairs might mean doing some actual work. If I had bought a new car or a bicycle, I cannot imagine the attitude of the dealer would be so casual. I will think about naming the company as a warning to others.
PJDay
I am finding this to be the case a lot. The NHS might be slow but the structure is there to deal with things like this. I am not sure what the criterion is for getting an electric wheelchair on the NHS. It was never suggested to me when mobility first became a problem, I had to work it out for myself in order to improve quality of life.
At the moment that is not far away as I have a properly functioning electric wheelchair but with a flat tyre. If I can get that resolved I can get out again.
I get mine from Roehampton; I suggest you ring their wheelchair repair; AJM Healthcare 0208 641 6173. Alright it may cost you for them to come to you for such a simple repair,
I would say your MP should get a letter about that pig of a wheelchair company. As a matter of interest, my Invacare has solid tyres.
Each service has their own criteria for supply.
Generally they won’t supply a powered wheelchair if you:
can walk - even if only a little
can use a manual wheelchair independently
would, for any reason, not use a powered wheelchair in your home
The NHS:
will not supply a powered wheelchair to be used outdoors only
may also cap the cost of individual chairs, or supply chairs only from a limited list, which may prevent you from getting the chair you want
will only supply features that meet their assessment of your clinical need, which means they won’t pay for extra features like seat raising, sit to stand etc.
Like the others, I think it’s a disgrace. I’m friendly with a local garage who would come round to do things like that. It may be initially expensive however but if you explain the previous shenanigans there’s a good chance you’ll find someone willing to help.
I’ve also got breakdown insurance from mine as I go a long way on a train a few times a year.
Can a taxi take you, your manual and the wheel to a local bicycle shop?
Interesting to know who qualifies for an NHS powered chair. I would never qualify, while walking is difficult, I can walk a few yards with a frame and I definitely fail the other two. Which means that to have a power chair I will always need to buy one from my own resources and end up with this problem I now have.
George, my manual chair is also from Roehampton (Queen Mary’s Hospital) and I know the company you mentioned but they only repair NHS chairs.
Steve, thanks for the advice re breakdown insurance. Evidently I need to take this out once I am back on the road.
I have found someone to come out next week to fit a new inner tube so hoping that will work out finally. Again it’s expensive but at the moment cost is the least of the problems.
I will be away over the Easter weekend visiting family when I will have the manual chair. When I get back a friend has offered to help by going down to a nearby bike shop to see if that might work. I assume that the wheel can be detached but haven’t done so as I can’t lift the chair by myself to find out.
I cant believe I am the first to have a problem like this and I reckon there must be a business opportunity for someone to set up a wheelchair repair service.