Wheelchair suggestions.

[mymatemax]

ds2 has a wchair clininc appnt next week. His old chair is beyond repair & he's had a growth spurt so we've been sent an appnt for a re-assessment.

He currently has a blade invacare with high back/neck extension & foot restraint/pad to stop his feet dropping back off the footrest.

What would you all recommend? Whats the maximum I can expect on the NHS.
He is 10 & has mild CP, autism & learning difficulties so we use a wheelchair for distance & for crowds etc.
He doesnt need additional trunk control or any additional support, but does throw his head back constantly so has a high back on his current chair & also has trouble keepling his feet on the footplates so has a footrestraint.
His current chair is a small wheel type.

I'm thinking of asking for the big wheel type so he can self propel, is there a minimum criterea for this? Do they have to test ability?
Any chairs I should avaoid?

You can ask for big wheels.. no test and they are a lot easier to push/turn than small wheels. We had an Invacare blade with the same extra bits, and now have an Invacare Action 3 (DS2 is 15 and 6 ft!) DS2 uses his for long trips only but likes to have a little self wheel for a few yards:)

There are a LOT better chairs tho, but you have to fight for them..as a 'casual user' we always got the basic invacare and we bought a Kuschall K4 off ebay which was amazing.. like a porche after a fiat punto! it is definitely worth pushing for better, tho.. ask about R82 Panther chairs, or Cheatahs..(can't rem how big they go) or whether you could have a voucher to use towards something better than a Blade type.

Thanks Medusa, i'm hoping big wheels may encourage a bit more independance in ds2. I'm happy to take whatever is availbale on nhs as he doesnt use it all the time.
Off to google the others you have named, just in case there is a choice

Thanks Medusa, had a look tthe Kuschall wouldnt have enough back/trunk support although he doesnt need additional support he does need full height at the back with head extension. the others look good though.

Yes the Kuschall was a 'sport' chair.. great for quick trips ,no use for days out (when we needed the extended back etc) It was cooooooool tho!

Have a look here: www.r82-uk.co.uk/Products.aspx?GroupID=GROUP234

:)

With regards to big vs little wheels, we asked about having big wheels on DS2's sc, and were told that was no problem. OT quieried whether DS2 might put his fingers in the spokes of the wheel, but WC person said just to get covers for them (I imagine we pay for those!). But no test or anything re wheels - just "which ones do you want to have?" and WC person did confirm the bigger wheels are much better to maneuvre.

Thanks, the cougar & panther both look good, with maybe some additional head support.
Thanks Triggles, wheel covers maybe needed here too.

we wondered about a higher back, as normally DS2 is fine, but when he is full swing meltdown or really upset, he tends to fling his head back... will have to ask

ds2 has got low tone & weak kneck muscles but without the head support he flings his head back & if indoors/shopping centres etc stares at the lights & does a strange twitchy eye thing. He also cannot then return his head to an upright position.
Same with feet restraints,has lots of posturing of his legs, some to do with spasticity but mostly sensory.
Without his feet being kept firmly on the footplate he would either be trying to drag his feet on the floor, in the wheels or twisting his legs around esch other like pipecleaners. For a boy with stiff legs he can be very bendy when he wants to be.

So, having googles all these chairs, am I a little odd to be strangely excited by ds2's new chair possibilities

Whereabouts are you based? We have just been to a fantastic showroom in London that has all the big names, Kushall, RGk, panthera etc. They will work with your trust if you get a voucher from them. All these chairs are not cheap though! We have an action 3 and it's ok but not great, really it's too heavy for DS to push. We will probably end up with a panthera but have a bit of negotiating to do with wheelchair services first!

we are in Suffolk Hairy, but in London regularly so sounds like the showroom could be worth a look. Whereabouts in London is it?

They are GBL wheelchairs, can't link ATM sorry but if you google they come up. They are based near Isleworth, very helpful people who know their stuff because they use the chairs!

Cheers Hairy, I'll have a look.