That’s great news Poppy. I can’t imagine how you’ve managed to cope so brilliantly given how far you’ve come over the past couple of years. You’ve dealt with a cr@ppy diagnosis and very rapid disability progression with (mostly) good humour and sense.
I hope the new chair gives you back a touch more Independence.
It seems that one way in which the Irish system beats the U.K. hands down is the provision of decent wheelchairs. Hopefully it’ll be a speedy process from ordering to receiving your new chair.
Thanks Sue. I’ll collect my award later at the Awards Giving Ceremony.
I went on the waiting list for a motorised one in January, when I got my manual one. She did say if they got a used one returned, I might get the chance to have that one. She said it would be a long wait, as ever. Maybe by the end of the summer, so I wasn’t expecting this news. I’ll keep you posted. And yes, I have to say, I cannot fault my care from diagnosis right through to chairs/ms community care/follow up Neuro appointments and MRIs etc. I consider myself very lucky in that respect. I’m not sure it is the same throughout Ireland, but certainly in my local area.
OT called me today to tell me I get a Spectra Plus motorised chair delivered to me tomorrow. This is much uicker than anticipated.
I’m not too sure how I’m feeling about it now. I know I should be thinking it will mean I can get up slopes and inclines into shop entrances now, without trying to wrench my arms out of their sockets and it will mean when I’m out with hubby (well, I’m never out without him anymore), he isn’t pushing me and in control. However, I’m not feeling euphoric.
I’ve looked at them online and they certainly are not something of great beauty. I suppose it’s another step in this accepting game I’m learning to play. Has anyone got an opinion on these? Anyone got any experience of them please?
My only experience is an a mobility scooter, rather than an electric chair. It did mean I could go further, but to be honest I didn’t really like it. I know you said it will give you more control but, weirdly, I actually felt like I had less control than in my manual chair…I was basically just sat there, and didn’t feel like I was doing anything. But when I push myself, I feel more in control. I like to be as independent as possible in my chair though. The only time I ask for help is for getting up curbs if there isn’t a dropped curb, or for going up steep hills when I’m very tired. And even if I’m being pushed, I still take a bit of control - if I want to head in a particular direction, I just hold onto the rim on one side to slow that wheel down, meaning you change direction slightly.
It would be worth asking your wheelchair services if they offer sessions to teach wheelchair skills (I’ve not been to any myself, but I’ve heard they’re good). It’s possible you may need your sitting position to be adjusted to, to either sit further forward or back. But you’ll probably improve with time. When I first started using a chair, I needed a lot of help. But now, over 12 years later, I’m far more experienced, and got stronger arms (living somewhere as hilly as Sheffield, you need it!). By leaning forward, with my fingers round the rims and thumb & heel of my hand on the tyre, I can put out a lot of power & get up some fairly steep inclines (having wheelchair gloves with a full thumb helps with that).
Thanks Dan. Yes, I’ve been wheeling outdoors since last April really I suppose, manually. It’s a Helium and I do like it. I won’t be abandoning it completely in favor of the motorised one I’m sure. I’ve not had any training with it, though I will be going for one with the motorised chair, with my OT. It’s all still so new to me.
