Anyone around who uses an electric wheelchair

[ManyNameChanges]

And would be happy to share their knowledge/experience with me?
(In chat as I’m hoping it will be more visible)

I need to get an electric wheelchair. I’m currently using a manual one but DH has to push me (I can’t move it myself) so I’m still feeling very stuck at home.

BUT, as I am starting to look at powered chairs, I’m feeling really overwhelmed and I dint seem to get a feel of what would be best.
In many ways, I feel like there is no wheelchair that can do all the things I’m hoping to do with it…..

So if you have any word of wisdom, things you have learnt are actually important, or even recommendations, I really welcome them.

At the moment, I’m looking at folding chairs so they can go in the boot if the car. Lithium battery so I can take the plane and go to see my parents in Europe. On the light side but I’d love one that could also handle a rougher terrain so I can have a ‘stroll’ in NT places.

Following as I am in a similar position

Some NT (and others) will hire out all terrain mobility scooters. Not an answer to your main question but just in case you didn't know.

I've used them in the past and it worked very well.

I don't use a powered wheelchair but my eldest child does (20yo). Very happy to try and answer any questions you might have.

The one we went for does fold and we wanted that so it could go in our car. But in fact our car is so big (ford smax) that I have found I can get it in the car without folding it. It's heavy (I'm pretty sure it's not a lithium battery but embarrassingly I would need to check with DH) but I am still able to get in the boot of the car on my own, unfolded.

I would say it is definitely optimised for town/shopping type use. It's small and nimble and can navigate fairly tight spaces. This was much more important to us than one that could go off road / countryside type terrain. That does have drawbacks, the pavement on our street is rubbish and that can be tricky. But it's a quiet street so my child tends to use the actual road until we get to the main road. You will definitely have to compromise on something so it's important to work out what you mainly want to use it for.

I hope even some of that is helpful.

The charity scope has some good guidance on its website. Sometimes people hire one before they buy one. Have you checked to see if you would be eligible for a wheelchair on the NHS?

@jellybeanteaparty I have a manual wheelchair from the NHS. They don’t seem to provide electric ones anymore (you’re supposed to use PIP for that).

@Vilt yes. What you are describing re rough pavement has been my experience with the manual wheelchair. And I have wondered how a light EWC would cope.
Can I ask which wheelchair your dd has?

@QuertyGirl actually that’s a good point. Because then I could rent one on occasion rather than trying to have something that does it all (probably badly too)

I have a monarch mobility ezi-fold powerchair, through PIP. It was one of the few folding chairs I could find through motability. I asked on MN for advice before getting mine and I'm so glad I did as there were things I didnt think to look out for!

Mine is definitely more suited to tight corners than rough terrain, and like @Vilt I thought that was more important. I originally was thinking of getting a mobility scooter as I pictured myself going on long rambles but realised I needed a chair that would get me round Tesco and my local shop more.

It folds but it is a bit bulky, I have an estate car with a hoist and it fits well in there, but not normally in normal saloons. Mine weighs 26kg, has 2 lithium batteries so that once one runs out, the other kicks in.

I think the only thing I don't like about it is the fact it doesnt have single handles, more a rail type handle across the back. This makes it impossible to hang bags off the back, although I do have a wheelchair back pack but I wish I could use a regular back pack. I also have a nifty pannier bag that sits on one of the arms which is very useful for storing my purse and phone etc, but it does add to the overall width making some doors a bit more tricky to get through. A cup holder is on my list to try and find, if anyone can recommend

One thing I didn't consider but fell lucky with - if you think you may be using trains/coaches etc, then check the chair fits within their maximum size requirements

It certainly is a minefield and I would definitely recommend visiting a mobility store to try a couple out. Good luck!

@WhatIsFairForAll do you find you need the two batteries or is one usually enough?

I agree. I need the EWC more to go around Tesco etc… than on NT gardens (even though it’s still on my dream lost if things to do!)

The range of my chair with 1 battery is around 7 miles, so with two batteries I am supposed to get double that. I don't though as I am near the top end of the weight limit so would probably get around 7 miles in total. I just about managed a day in Disneyland Paris tootling about before both batteries died!

I didn't think that I used both batteries tbh, but when 1 was accidently disconnected, I certainly realised a huge difference, I could barely go 3 hours without the battery dying.

That’s very helpful. Than you!

Have you thought about getting a tri ride type attachment?

Is that one of those that attaches onto a normal wheelchair?
The ones I’ve seen were eye watering expensive.

You can get them for around 895 for a basic one, it may offer more flexibility than a cheap electric chair? Just a thought, you can also get a power pack that clips on the back.

Like this?

Shows price

Rushing on because I've just got myself a wonderful new powerchair which has changed my life.

Will read thread in detail now.

OK, I agree with everyone that there isn't something that ticks every box. You have to chose between very lightweight & nimble, and robust all-terrain.

The idea of owning one for certain uses and then hiring another at a destination is good. Even if a hire isn't available from the venue, it's worth checking whether there's a mobility-hire place near enough by (Shopmobility or private).

It's also very worth hiring for a while before you buy. Some Shopmobility outlets will let you take them for more than a day. But even if you're restricted to a few hours' hire, taking different models to a variety of different terrain will give you a much better feel for how they perform, how transportable they are, and how you want to use them.

I have a FreedomChair A08L, and would recommend. The L is because I have long legs, if you're shorter you can get the standard model. It was quite pricey, coming in at nearly £3000, whereas other folding electric chairs come in from around a thousand. The reasons I opted for this one: robust and does roughish terrain well; has the L option because most are too short for me; can put up to three batteries in which gives you a range of 27 miles.
Those were my priorities after renting a few different options, an ill fitting chair was too cramped and I wanted something that would easily do a whole day without worrying about being caught short. I'd definitely recommend renting for a few weeks at a time so you can get a feel for what sort of features really suit your day to day needs.
Also, get a ball shaped joystick topper, it means you can drive with your palm which is much more comfortable than gripping a stick.

@HubrisPolice can I ask which one you got?

So my wonderful new chair is the Dashi MG.
dashrehab.co.uk/dashi-mg/

I've waited years for one this light and convenient, and this finally ticks most of my boxes.

Pros:
It weighs 17 kg, or 15 kg without the lithium battery.
It can fold up to go in most car boots, so I can take almost any taxi or accept a lift at the drop of a hat. The folding is quick and easy enough to do on a pavement or platform, and although you can whip off the footplates and rear stabilisers, you may not have to.
It manoeuvres easily on trains and buses.
The footplates fold round or lift off easily even when you're in the chair, so you always have that option to increase manoeuverability.
When the drive is disengaged it moves freely: you're not working against engine-breaking as in my mobility scooter.
It's pretty close to helper-proof. Anyone who has had their chair broken by enthusiastic helpful strangers who just won't be told, will know what I mean!

Cons:
It is not cheap!
It is not highly supportive of your body (but no worse than my manual).
It doesn't enjoy dodgy cambers and can sometimes lose drive and swing round if you're on a piece of pavement with steep changing slopes (eg crossing a driveway).
It can ground at steep ramps.
It struggles to mount a kerb more than an inch. I'm finding hitting them backwards works better, and have managed 2 inch kerbs that way.
Solid wheels mean you can definitely feel the pavement, even when it's good quality slabbing.

There is a slightly earlier model, the Dashi, which is cheaper but heavier.
dashrehab.co.uk/dashi/

Sorry ManyNameChanges, had to pause to take a delivery in the middle of that.

I am a carer.
We use a fleet of mobility aids, 2 indoors and others for outside. Plus an extra large wheels for off road.
The indoors wheels are more of the wheelchair style, controlled by joystick as they are shorter and more manoeuvrable. These come to pieces for stacking in a boot too.
Outdoor machines are like a truck with a steering tiller. Go for one with suspension absolutely essential as some pavements look smooth but are not.
All are Go Go machines. Easily maintained. New batteries easily available from the www.
None have been bought new, all second hand off Ebay. All ok.
The outside machines take apart into 4 bits so easy to get into a standard saloon.
We have flown many times with the outside machines and only had problems once.
Good luck.

I drive mine with the stick in the fork of thumb & first finger, hand resting on armrest. Little or no gripping required.

Right, delivery properly dealt with.

Yes, I'm afraid the Dashi MG is close to the £3000 mark too.

That looks amazing! Can I ask, when you say roughish terrain, how rough are we talking? Over a grassed lawn or over a (currently very painful) cobbled street (Durham, I am looking at you...)?