Hi jemma. I had a loan of a HSE (nhs) chair. Not very lightweight at all. I’m on a waiting list for a Quickie Helium but not expecting any news before xmas. Meanwhile I bought an Excel Pro Lite. It’s good for putting in the car etc. but still heavy enough for self propelling, that’s why hubby pushes. I have high hopes for the Quickie!
That is all wonderful. So much interesting and useful info for others too. Just a chair behind you! Think I will be looking soon for one. Enjoy yr new freedom. Anne
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I saw these power assisted models advertised in MS Matters and they struck me a being a good compromise.
Thanks Whammel.
You will love the Quickie Helium Poppy, since i was last here i have bought a secondhand Quickie Q7 (American version of the Helium) i use it as an indoor chair at the moment as my Mum gets fed up with dirty tyre marks on the floors, so my TilIte AeroZ has to live in the utility room and only gets used when i go out
Jemma
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Oh Happy Days!!
At last!!! My OT phoned me this morning to give me the great news that I have been awarded a Quickie Helium! I’ve been on a waiting list for so long. I meet with the firm’s technician December 6th for a re-measure and fine tuning, then just have to wait a couple of (more) weeks for it to be made to my specifications. I really am so happy. I never thought the day would come when I’d be thrilled to get news that I’m getting a wheelchair. I feel like xmas has come early.
A long awaited pressy indeed!
Not long now!
Pollx
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That’s fabulous Poppy, you’ve been patiently waiting for a while now. I totally understand being excited about a new wheelchair. And the fact that your disability is still relatively new to you is a testament to how brilliantly you’ve coped with everything MS has thrown at you. Hopefully the Quickie Helium will indeed be a lovely Xmas present.
Sue
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Thank you Sue. Very kind words. 
It would certainly be wonderful as an early xmas pressie, but considering it’s only five weeks away, I don’t think so. Mind you, I did tell the OT lady that I’d kiss the Technician guy if he can speed it all up. Actually, I’m pretty certain I’d do a flippin lapdance if I thought it would help!!! Hmmm. Very much beyond the realms of possibility these days.
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Great news! When you meet with the technician. tell them you want the compact wheel lock, rather than the standard one. I had the standard ones on my old wheelchair, and sometimes stubbed my thumb on them (like stubbing your big toe, but way more painful!). But it’s never happened with the compact ones on my Helium, so I’m very glad I picked them.
Dan
Thanks for that Dan. Will do.
It just gets better. I go to the MS Community every Wednesday where free treatments/therapy is available. Massage, reflexology, acupuncture etc. Today while I was, there a lady who described herself as “connected to Welfare information with MS society”. She spoke to everyone present individually. I was telling her about my Helium. During the conversation she said there were motorised chairs available in this centre for loan. She will organise one for me to use, until I decide if I would want one of my own. I am beyond delighted!
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Back with an update.
Firstly, the motorised chair was a no-go. It turns out she misunderstood and it was a scooter that was available. It isn’t what I was needing and so I didn’t borrow it. However OT got involved and has begun the lengthy process of organising my own motorised chair. It will be a long wait I know, but I don’t mind.
The great news is that, at last, nearly twelve months later, I get my super duper Helium next Tuesday! OT and Technician guy will deliver it to my house and final tweaking will be done. I expect hubby (retired HGV mechanic) will be full of interest!
Happy happy.
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I certainly haven’t been coping very well this last week Sue. There have been many, many tears. It’s now a struggle to get a few metres to the car. (I don’t drive anymore). I can’t lift my right leg up into the car anymore and have to grab a handful of jeans and lift it. 
I shuffle unsteadily along indoors. Considering I was dxd end of May 2015 and recovered well until December that year, this rapid decline is a bit too much at the moment. The fine motor skills of my right hand are not so good anymore now either. It frightens the life out of me.
It’s brilliant news about your wheelchair Poppy.
Not so good that you’ve been feeling so down this week. I still think you are coping abso-bloody-lately fabulously with all that you’ve had to deal with in a short time.
For those of us who’ve become disabled relatively slowly, albeit with a bad relapse that takes leg use away, it’s hard to deal with disability. But for you, it’s come in a big wallop.
I don’t think you should beat yourself up over feeling crappy about your lost abilities. It’s rubbish not being able to walk. It’s shit not being able to drive. It truly sucks losing your independence.
So please, give yourself a break. You’ve dealt with big changes with more grace than most.
And the fact that you’ve had a bad week but can still feel happy about your wheelchair news is great.
Hopefully all will go well and you’re Helium will arrive on Tuesday as promised. And that you’ll be happy with your improved mobility.
Sue xx
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Gosh Sue,that’s made me feel really good about myself now!
Thank you:-)xx
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Ta dahhhhh!
A very happy Poppy here today.
Just bringing this thread to a close and tell you all I got my beautiful Helium chair today. It is so light! I am able to simply glide along now, instead of using so much effort and energy propelling myself in the one I bought for travel last year. (A G-Lite Pro)
I am truly grateful to the HSE for providing this for me. Meanwhile, the process of getting a motorised one organised for me has begun. Thanks to everyone who gave an opinion or advice.
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Hooray hooray for you Poppy. At last. Congratulations on your new lightweight nippy little 'chair. Let’s hope it’s not too long before you get a motorised version.
Sue
Leaving dust trails as I whizz along the road!
Am green with envy. Imagine that, being jealous of someone’s new wheelchair. 20 years ago when I had my first MS event I would never ever have believed such a thing was possible.
Strange things life throws at us.
Sue
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Almost afraid to post this in case I jinx something! My OT has just text me asking if she can visit Monday and telling me there may be a Spectra motorised chair coming my way! Been online to have a look. There’s a couple of models so I have no idea which one it might be. Oh this would be just fantastic!
My Helium is great for when I’m shopping with hubby. Though he does tend to “take control” and pushes. I end up going to look at stuff he wants to look at and where he wants to go, rather than what I want. However, I struggle with kerbs and inclines as I just can’t find the strength to propel myself up slopes or uphill. The thought of having a motorised chair and being in some sort of control is wonderful.
Imagine. Thrilled at the possibility of getting a motorised chair, and in the space of two years…