Hi everyone
I have been told by my of that I am ready for an electric wheelchair now and should now apply. I told her I’m going to pick up a new one chair next week and will tell them what you have said.
I go to collect my new chair and explain what the of had said. I don’t walk now just a very slow shuffle and lots of falls.
I was told at least six times it’s a very long process! And they have very strict criteria even if they agree it’s still a very long process!!!
Am I supposed to say OK I won’t bother then?
My life is hard enough as it is without the pressure of bullies at wheelchair services! If I could afford one of my own I’d buy one!
The ot was the one who said I was ready. I felt like such a burden on society.
I passed the tests and am now on the long process list
Just needed to get that off my chest sorry for the moan x
Hi Tessbaby, yes sounds as if they are trying to put you off!!! Hang in there and keep pushing… you are entitled to one! It’s such a postcode lottery. When I went to be assessed for wheelchair… Haringey in London… they practically pushed me into and electric wheelchair (nearly wrote ‘electric chair’ and then realised that has quite a different meaning!!!). Anyway I wanted a manual as I use mob scooter most of the time… but I had to talk the OUT of giving me and electric one… and they said as soon as I changed my mind to contact them. Contact the OT and ask her/him to write a letter to say how much you need the chair. That might make a huge difference! Of course you are not a burden on society!!! Get that idea right out of your head. Society is made up of all sorts of people… young, old, disabled, brimming with health, ill, black and white and everything inbetween all of the above!!! Call the OT… and letter from GP would be a help too. Good luck… hope you get it very soon and get some of your independence back. Pat xx 
Hi Tess
Pat 7s right, get the OT to refer you via a letter explaining your difficulties, and dont let them fob you off, you are entitled to one, so if you have to, keep pushing for one, it will make your life easier to cope with, I would be housebound without mine, it is one if my best friends!
Please dont think of yourself as being a burden, you are not, remember you did not ask for ms to rear its head into your life, and think of these aids as being a means to an end.
Hang in there, take care.
Pam x
Hi, I`ve had a lot of help with equipment via ot, plus wheelcair services. I had to wait for chairs…indoor and outdoor. I bought my own chairs previously/spent a lot of dosh and damaged myself!
We are NOT burdens…we just need help is all.
luv Pollx
Get back to them and see someone in charge I got my electric one last year and its great. Had the appointment it weas here two weeks later.
Hi, I had an indoor assessment for an electric wheelchair in Oct 13, and then an outdoor assessment Jan 14. Wheelchair Services said that if they provided the wheelchair, it’d take about 6 months as they have to apply for funding, order the wheelchair etc. If I went the voucher route it’d take 2-3 months. As I want a chair that rises, and WS only provide the basic spec, I decided to take the voucher and buy my own. However, WS issued the voucher then told me not to spend it without letting them know first, as they don’t currently have the staff to process it! When WS did the outdoor assessment, they also mentioned that you can now get a Salsa M through Motability. Now I’m stuck in another queue, waiting for the dealer to contact me to arrange a home visit! Heather
Hi Heather, what a redicuous situation, innit! You get a vouher, cos WS cant supply what you need and then you have still to wait. I despair, I really do, for you!
pollx
Just to update, the dealer is coming out with a couple of wheelchairs for me to try on Monday (10th Feb). Hoorah.