Any occasional wheelchair users about?

[PumpingPamela]

We're considering getting a wheelchair for DP who has CFS. He can walk short distances but not much more than 5 minutes and he's missing out on trips to the park etc with baby DD. It would be great (relatively speaking!) if I could push him for a mile or two and we could all go to feed the ducks as a family. Once the covid situation is a bit better I could also push him to the tube (we live in London and don't have a car). He'd be ok walking the last 50m or so I guess and could manage steps so long as I can carry the wheelchair.

Is there anyone who has experience of this level of wheelchair use? Can you recommend a wheelchair/brand that would be suitable? Is there any hope of getting a decent one for

Hi there,
A few ideas for you, you could ask your GP (or OT if you have one) to refer you to your local NHS wheelchair service, as the condition is likely to be long term. They could assess and provide something suitable and would be responsible for any repairs/changes that were needed.
Or, you could hire/long term loan one from the British Red Cross.
If you are able/want to buy, then Invacare is a good make, commonly used by the NHS, easy to get parts for/repaired etc. Around £200-250. If you have a mobility shop nearby, is worth seeing if they can measure him up so you get the right size, or alter the footplates etc.
I'd suggest self propelling style, as it rolls better over rougher surfaces (though would still not be great off road) and also it allows a little independence, eg. he can turn chair to face another direction if he wants-doesn't sound much but makes a difference.
Features such as removable back wheels make it easier to lift in/out of car, but if you know how to fold it right down these aren't always necessary.

Other option would be something more like a powered mobility scooter, which you can get a variety of off-road-ness and would give him full control of where he goes

Thank you for your reply @tatyr

We hadn't considered the NHS or charities as he's not "officially disabled" (I.e. doesn't claim benefits or have a blue badge etc) but it's definitely worth looking into.

To your knowledge are there any non electric wheelchairs that would be manageable off road, even for short distances?

Thanks again

from personal experience, i started with a wheelchair and now use a mobility scooter, its much better being able to control myself where i go, for example i could go to the park without DH having to be there too.

its harder than it looks to self propel, I have RA and fibromyalgia and found my arms arent as strong as i thought, he may have similar issues with CFS.

i got my wheelchair on eBay, its definitely worth having a look for a second hand one first, as it gives the opportunity to see if it works for you, you will get as good as you would get online or in a mobility shop, the chances of getting something from wheelchair services are pretty slim!

I have a 16 year old DS who uses a wheelchair like this. It’s heavy to push, hard work for me if I’m pushing and for him too. He doesn’t use it enough to have developed the muscles to self propel and as he only uses it when we are out for too long for him to walk he’s tired anyway and hasn’t really got the energy to self propel. We use it for tube/ train travel as DS gets out and walks up stairs etc and I carry the chair, but now that he is adult sized and weight I can only do it with his new chair. See below... It’s also exhausting, a day out pushing him around wipes me out, and I’m fit. Almost impossible to use in woodland paths etc although DH can just about manage by tipping him into the big back wheels and wheeling him at an angle. I can’t do this anymore.

Most chairs are also very heavy. Invacare, as mentioned previously are cheap, but heavy. They are not really designed for self propelling or anything other than smooth hospital floors, we’ve had them for years. Ideally you want a fixed frame chair, We finally got charity funding for a better make. The cheapest options start at about £2000. Off road ones are more expensive.

If he has a condition that means he tires quickly I would look for a light weight mobility scooter. He wouldn’t need you to push him so would be more independent. You also wouldn’t have to manage the chair / baby / toddler combo. That’s very hard work too. There are more mobility scooters around so you are more likely to be able to get a second hand one.

Any wheelchair the nhs will offer you will be far too heavy to carry up and down stairs. My yd has one and it's the lightest they could offer her and I wouldn't like to carry that any distance.
My ed has one which was part funded by the nhs when they gave out vouchers. Hers is still fairly heavy but could be carried. For off roading she bought new wheels with thick treads and a front wheel which lifts the castor wheels off the ground. She got these not for off-roading but because she has CRPS so vibrations hurt her but she has managed forest walks using them.

If he has this level of disability he can barely walk a distance (and I assume that means you have to help around the house) - why haven't you applied for PIP?

For a start of he gets high rate mobility you can exchange it for hiring a mobility scooter or if lower rate use the money to help buy the equipment he needs.

You can also ask OT etc to come round and assess him for in home adaptions such as extra stair rails, wall arms for getting up and down off the loo, bath seats etc.

Thanks all!

@longtompot would you be able to say what wheelchair your ed has? It sounds like it might be suitable.

I have a crazy baby under my feet right now but will do my best to respond properly later

She has a RGK Tiga FX @PumpingPamela similar to this one rgkwheelchairs.com/wheelchairs/daily-wheelchairs/tiga-fx.html

She has this front wheel rgkwheelchairs.com/wheelchairs/power-solutions/frontwheel.html

No lift at the nearest tube? I wouldn't recommend trying to carry a wheelchair + toddler up and down stairs!

And how are you for storage/access at your home?