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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to say I cannot keep lifting my mum’s chair?

177 replies

Elphabayo · Today 16:11

My mum had a fall 3 years ago and had a broken hip also diabetes and heart issues
she brought a chair to be go out however it is down to me her only child to lift the chair in and out of everywhere and I hate it. It’s so heavy I have severe shoulder pain each time it rips my clothes and gets mud all over them I feel I cannot do it anymore but if I don’t her life is even more limited than it is.

OP posts:
Sleepbeautifulskeep · Today 21:18

Tell her you’ve broken your wrist or sprained it. Buy a splint from the chemist and wear it around her and tell her they’ve told you not to lift it for 12weeks.
She either agrees to a hoist for the car and a SS assessment or she doesn’t leave the house. Do you live with her?

Octavia64 · Today 21:23

I’m disabled.

you can get super light electric wheelchairs. I have one which at the time I bought it was the lightest in the market at 17kg including battery.

not all cars are suitable to have a hoist fitted.

you can get wheelchair accessible vehicles on motability but the majority require an advance payment.

speakout · Today 21:23

Have you had a carer's assessment? It is a useful process, and social services will take it into account.
Being a carer can be very challenging- but you need boundaries, What will you do, and what you won't do. Taking your Mum out in a wheelchair is not something you are duty bound to do. Her outings do not trump your physical health. Your Mum may have needs, but that doesn't mean it is your responsibility to supply that help. You have needs too. Does she have carers? is there any elderly day centres she could attend- they often supply transport too.

RVectensian · Today 21:24

SummerDive · Today 21:15

@Whereisliverpooleddie what will the OP do when there is no assessment available or that assessment leads to a NO?

Or do you believe there is a magic wheelchair service/OT that will give to the mum the equipment she needs or that will magically make her able to walk?

Have you ever used those services yourself!

She can walk.

ThreadGuardDog · Today 21:25

Elphabayo · Today 16:24

She won’t use anything but this power chair - even if we go somewhere where you can hire one
shw won’t use a walker either it’s frustrating as she just won’t try
doctor told her she should be attempting to walk but she says she cannot

OP you shouldn’t be lifting a power chair in and out, they’re heavy. I have one and have a lift for it on the top of the car to winch it in and out, and mine is one of the lighter models. You’re going to do yourself damage if you carry on doing this. Why does she need a power chair if she’s accompanied - l can understand using one to get out of the house and around the local area if walking is difficult, but it’s not feasible to insist on lugging it in and out of the car. Have a look on ebay - there are some good quality lightweight ones available and you can get some bargains.

JulieJo · Today 21:25

If it is an electric wheelchair, you may be able to remove the batteries.
Often the canvas seat can be lifted on one side, the batteries will then be visible. Disconnect the cables. The batteries should then lift out.

You should be able to remove the cushion, footrest, and armrests to make it lighter, the back may then fold to make it smaller.

If you can't work out how to do these things, try and find an instruction manual online for the wheelchair that she has.

pambeesleyhalpert · Today 21:28

Do you live with her? I’m sorry, tbjs sounds like such hard work and made all the more frustrating as she won’t accept help from anyone but you. That’s not fair

ThreadGuardDog · Today 21:29

JulieJo · Today 21:25

If it is an electric wheelchair, you may be able to remove the batteries.
Often the canvas seat can be lifted on one side, the batteries will then be visible. Disconnect the cables. The batteries should then lift out.

You should be able to remove the cushion, footrest, and armrests to make it lighter, the back may then fold to make it smaller.

If you can't work out how to do these things, try and find an instruction manual online for the wheelchair that she has.

Multiple times a day ?

ThreadGuardDog · Today 21:38

winnieanddaisy · Today 19:48

Occupational therapy assessment is nothing to do with social services . You need to ask at her GP surgery for an OT to come out and do an assessment of needs . Does she receive PIP ? If she does and she receives motability allowance she could be entitled to get a vehicle to suit her disability .
this could be a car with an electric hoist in the back to lift the wheelchair into the boot , or a larger vehicle where ramps can be added to the back so that she can drive her chair into the vehicle.
All this is a moot point if she was past retirement age when she became disabled as she won’t be entitled to motability allowance.
She needs to be told that you are not going to take her anywhere in future as you cannot risk your own help .
As I said she needs an OT assessment.

Motability will provide the vehicle - assuming she qualifies - but adaptations have to be paid for by the customer. If we’re talking abut hoists, ramps and wheelchair accessible vehicles they are very expensive (the upfront payment for a WAV can be thousands of pounds, as well as the cost of the adaptations). And you have to start again at the end of each lease period.

auserna · Today 21:41

Do you mean she brought it? If so, where did she bring it from, and can it be exchanged?

If you mean she bought it, could she sell it and buy a lighter one?

You can't keep injuring yourself like this otherwise you'll do permanent damage.

Dymaxion · Today 21:59

Are you in her mum’s body to be able to tell what she can or can’t do??

OP has said that her Mum can walk about in the house, it is outside where she uses the power chair. Having a fall, especially one that results in a fracture can lead to anxiety related to mobilising,and that is completely understandable. However that anxiety doesn't trump OP's own physical health.

Elphabayo · Today 22:08

SummerDive · Today 20:27

@Elphabayo can iMask how your mum got her EWC?

Is it an NHS one? (I doubt so you never know)
Otherwise, did she buy it on her own, wo your input re putting it in and out of the car etc..?
In my experience, professionals will let you try out different models, look at what’s practical you etc… including the car you’re using.

eg I can put my EWC in my car because it’s low. But not in dh car so if we use his, he is doing the handling.

It sounds like the EWC she has just isn’t suited. An expensive mistake to make

Hi - she brought it off the internet no OT input at all she brought it after getting annoyed with me as I could no longer lift the scooter in the boot and this is foldable but still very heavy. I make myself do it because she will otherwise be housebound but I absolutely dread every tome
i do it and end up making excuses and then get called lazy and a let down. No I don’t live with her

OP posts:
Elphabayo · Today 22:10

Sleepbeautifulskeep · Today 21:18

Tell her you’ve broken your wrist or sprained it. Buy a splint from the chemist and wear it around her and tell her they’ve told you not to lift it for 12weeks.
She either agrees to a hoist for the car and a SS assessment or she doesn’t leave the house. Do you live with her?

I really think she just expects me to push through everything I really hurts me emotionally as well as physically . She will
make a big deal and say she will help me with it when in reality she won’t be able to and if she does it just makes it worse. Or she will want me to take it all apart. Following her hip op she was using a walker but later got scooter and then a chair . What upsets me is she’s not trying anymore then I have to listen to her moan when she is not doing anything to help me or her

OP posts:
Elphabayo · Today 22:13

JulieJo · Today 21:25

If it is an electric wheelchair, you may be able to remove the batteries.
Often the canvas seat can be lifted on one side, the batteries will then be visible. Disconnect the cables. The batteries should then lift out.

You should be able to remove the cushion, footrest, and armrests to make it lighter, the back may then fold to make it smaller.

If you can't work out how to do these things, try and find an instruction manual online for the wheelchair that she has.

I cannot do this I have adhd and it’s completely overwhelming to have to take it apart and together again and it takes ages and then she blames me if it goes wrong in any way

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · Today 22:13

I never say this on Mn but I’m going to now; you are being abused by your mother. I’m going to say again, stop damaging yourself by lifting this and tell her to speak to her Gp for physiotherapy and occupational therapy referral.

Elphabayo · Today 22:15

i will be saying I cannot do anymore however I have tried before and I just feel so guilty I end up doing it again . Have asked her to look at hoists and things (I work full time and am a single parent) and I just don’t have the time or money but it never materialises

OP posts:
Elphabayo · Today 22:16

I feel like I need some sort of medical back up to show her

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · Today 22:19

Check out this video, "ratchet strap to pull power wheelchair into boot" https://share.google/WEQF7bMBKTMC76NsZ

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en-US&num=8&sca_esv=b91370699063d68b&q=ratchet+strap+to+pull+power+wheelchair+into+boot&docid=ONnC_bN4KGhgNM&ibp=video&shem=epsd1,ivsple,rimspwouoe&shndl=41&shmd=H4sIAAAAAAAA_4WUXW4TMRDHBU_IR-BppEoIUDdfIlKJVEG_0gBtgdKqKi-VszuJTbz21vZ2uzz1GtyDAyCOwgW4AmMn6SZCgkhRovX85z_zm_Gyn4x9HpkKvIEpeuAaUGHqrUxhYlQm9RQqgahSwaUFqSmOg8u5UpByC2NjPJQuhHmBcPTmbJScHeyNwPK8cK3HM-F94QbtNurU1oXHLPFj3WlNnedepq3U5G2Z8ym6V9fbdDLYOcleHqZnanY1G57uCDHK-91kfzd_W11e5fXJqbq-9P3rL7vH-x_SU9Uvts63kqOPT9x2t_P896N9zI123lJuqkhQX8hdDdKDdMsWa1Pa_zRJGDIwpQczWetWToIaJpKOQ7sxPiQ2IJDf1MFCyck9EXJxqSnIhkq6QbWgAk8PLXJP3pacanDyK2bB4BljQ3qWG4tUBR3n1IjRMDWUeQBLlkp6kXhMRcTnhCmaR0l_4pPGOKGsSXRtM9ZM59iMJUnqiIUaOX_36-6bA4U8wjBaSY0wXLA5WMK6aCCNbWAUvlRDQV202AXVAN1uE77UNzIX4Ab-pJ4iVAiaZiSIDXFeGQFxdCVNrbDoqcq8TEUgZagoL4hcShNx820sXYu9p4wralcWaJ2PFB2MuSO65DvkVgueb8Kn0lqsY_FUQXQ3N2ih1-mspHE0U8oQhhSGTlbezkVETMO4rIlTpJfx0D0GbDRMXOxOEES0ocdNcAYK4uso3GiiTXfNzaj62GvQ0O9BaU1BeeJaVNEelQu7EFNVxqosOkVB2MrA8h9jcvMtpoUGjbc-VAoZKkndxmVdpkhLwpUTNJhYxLD2JLc0oVLTJrkIIKji3QBLt8zTxGiJW4ztCUxnc58wBhw7GQ79AKCqqtbasrKDnEs17zrUEqPWP46T4-t11V6o815k9F8igE631-9Br_ui0-8xtrG834vr3UyVbSweLSNWj4JrMG3-5YuLwjboZeJN0PJGcfvj4d2D7w_-AMLxE8ZFBQAA&shmds=v1_ATWGeeP0i88A4cfS3yFZNaQlQGtHlx3WyWhqcTdw-1PKhHtxaA&source=sh/x/vid/m1/2&kgs=944178b4ddf3dafb&utm_source=epsd1,ivsple,rimspwouoe,sh/x/vid/m1/2&ucbcb=1

KitFox · Today 22:19

Could you get a ramp for putting it and out of the car? I would fo everything you can yo find a solution.

godmum56 · Today 22:19

Elphabayo · Today 22:16

I feel like I need some sort of medical back up to show her

I feel like she is bullying you and your word should be enough. If your word isn't enough, then you have bigger problems with your mother than her disability! have you always been her skivvy?

gamerchick · Today 22:20

You need to drop the rope OP. Tell her you're not doing it anymore and if she's determined to stay disabled and not try, then she can engage with the services.

Or she can stay in the house.

WhatOnEarthAreYourTalkingAbout · Today 22:20

Elphabayo · Today 22:15

i will be saying I cannot do anymore however I have tried before and I just feel so guilty I end up doing it again . Have asked her to look at hoists and things (I work full time and am a single parent) and I just don’t have the time or money but it never materialises

Sadly the hoist will only materialise if you say no and stay consistent. Just phone her tomorrow, say you can't manage it any more and she needs to find a solution. And every time she complains telling her that she needs to find a solution as you're not lifting it again and repeat as necessary. Don't feel guilty, you have been very supportive.

IMightMentionGriddlebone · Today 22:23

SummerDive · Today 20:39

@WhatOnEarthAreYourTalkingAbout you realise that the mum will NOT get a lighter EWC from social services/wheelchair services/occupational health etc?
The mum can engage however much she can, she won’t get it. It just doesn’t exist.

After that, what sort of other ‘professional help’ do you think she’ll get that will magically make her able to just walk?

I wish people would stop the ‘if she tried harder, she’d be able to do xyz’ as if people haven’t tried or that the only worthy disabled people are those who overcome and aren’t a bother to their carer.
Being disabled is not a choice fgs

At a bare minimum, she will be guided to buy either a more appropriate powerchair or an electeic hoist to get it into the car. As the OP has explained (and was obvious from her opening post, if you read between the lines), the OP's mum has bought a random one with no professional guidance about whether it was suitable for her life.

Adult men refuse to lift this chair. It is clearly not suitable for the OP's daughter to lift in and out of her car, and if an OT had been involved before the purchase, he or she would have raised the issue of how it would be moved into the car.

I also suspect the OT will identify the most appropriate models of walker, so that the OP's mother can walk outside the house without falling.

BiteSizedLife · Today 22:23

If you injure and potentially disable yourself what happens then?

BooneyBeautiful · Today 22:25

RandomMess · Today 16:32

Sounds like your Mum needs to get and fund a disability car that has a ramp etc. This is what mobility allowance is meant to fund.

But the mum sounds like she is over state pension age and unless she was already in receipt of DLA or PIP, she will be claiming Attendance Allowance which doesn't have a mobility element.

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