Hi! New to the online community.
I’ve had a series of TIA’s, then a haemorrhagic stroke 18 months ago.
I already had muscle weakness from a previous medical condition, so am now in a quandary.
Current situation…
Can’t physically walk far, and if I do, need regular rest stops.
Have hemiplegia on left side, and dropped foot (wear ankle brace)
Use combination of walking poles, walking stick, power chair, depending on environment.
The power chair is too heavy for me to lift in and out of car, so I can only use with another person present.
What would people suggest to give me everything I need, and be independent so I can travel on my own.
I need to have something to balance me, but also need to sit at times, but also be able to be moved. I have seen a rollator that is also a wheelchair, but my mind is a bit frazzled with all the choices
Welcome, sorry you have had cause to join us.
There are scooters that are lighter weight than powerchairs, but I belie.ve they have to be dismantled.
Two alternatives:
Get a hoist to lift your powerchair into your car. These are not cheap, also you need a fairly large boot.
Many places - shops, garden centres, National Trust have powerchairs/scooters that can be borrowed, especially if you can walk in.
Let me know if you want more information on cars/hoists.
Janet
Thanks for response Janet
We’ve looked into hoists quite extensively, but discounted them from a financial and size perspective.
I had a scooter before my power chair, but I think I’m looking for an option where I can walk for a distance as well. I don’t want to just stay in the chair/scooter.
Hi & welcome to the community @ElaineCoop sorry to hear of your stroke.
Have you looked at something like an mlite scooter (there arecother similar brands on the market). It is one of the lightest scooters around and easier than a power chair to lift into a car.
It folds down in a few seconds and same to put it up. The beauty of this one is that if you want tonwalk a bit you could, for example, fold it up as you go into a shop and pull it along. If you needed to sit down it unfolds again in seconds.
I think there are also some that fold automatically - press a button and it folds.
I just bought one of those, I really love it. Where my mobility was restricted it is opening up the world for me.
Despite it being light I can’t manage lifting it single handed into the car but I believe there might be a way.
At the moment my wife can help me with the lift. My car is in the garage expected back next week so I will have to wait until then to try my solo lift method out.
I think that by opening the car boot, then leaning the scooter against it, catching hold of the other end and lifting there should make it simpler to slide it into the boot
I’ll give it a try next week and report back on the forum.
It would help increase my independence if I am right.
Mine is identical to Ann’s but from a different supplier. Her’s is same thing at a better price it is worth noting,
I call mine my ‘good mood machine’ getting out on it does lift one’s spirits.
I wonder if you could fix a bit of rope to the outside of the boot and thread that through the scooter. You might then be able to take some of the weight on the rope and haul it up.
I’ll have to wait and see but if you suspend a weight over two points each point bears only half the weight.
Leaning the wheels of one end of the folded scooter against the open boot will mean that boot and lifter will bear 20 lbs each (half the total weight). This is a weight that I’m sure, despite my weakness, will be within my capacity to manage.
I’m not trying to blind you with science but I need to actually try it for myself to make sure it is a practical solution.
I agree that hoists make the problem worse, second hand can be dangerous and the expense of new is prohibitive.
I am optimistic that there is an answer but unsure right now.
You can try these things out in a show room before you commit to a deal.
Don’t rush at it. I might have an answer later next week.
(see animation below)
I have an efoldi lite. It folds up small, weighs 17kilos and I am currently in Kuala Lumpur with it, waiting to get on a plane. I don’t use it much at home, but for travelling distances it’s invaluable. I usually put it Into my boot minus the battery to make it just 15kilos.
There is a company called the hoist company, who fit reconditioned hoists that are cheaper and there are glowing reviews of their work.
@MinnieB
Sounds similar to the one I have. So far I am well pleased with it.
Shop around. Different suppliers provide the same one but some offer a better price.
The old guy, (me) with a cheery wave, revs his engine
and prepares once again to burn rubber :
It is tiny but folds down neatly and easily. I am not strong enough to get it in my car as my right side is weakened. Hoists are bulky and expensive so I am looking for an alternative way to get it in the car. (see below)
It is giving me independence that is life changing.
I made this animation to illustrate how I intend to try to load my car with the scooter :
I can’t guarantee it will work but I hope to test it soon.
I have posted some links about mobility elsewhere. If you are interested, look here :
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your TIAs and stroke.
I can see there has been some answers to this for you which I hope you’ll find helpful. I hope you’ll continue to find this community helpful for your recovery.
If you need anything whilst using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
