Special Wheelchair

More specific, are there assisted living centers or rehabilitation centers that will buy used wheel chairs?

Facilities rarely buy chairs- we get them donated all the time and usually cannot even use those.

Your state's Assistive Technology Project, League of Human Dignity, or other advocacy group may run a program for used stuff, but most of them prefer free stuff.

You need to remember that most special needs chair users will get a chair for free from the state or insurance, so there is not much of a market for used ones.

I know it is frustrating, but a chair that ran tens of thousands of dollars new has a resale value, in most cases, of only a couple hundred bucks at most.

2009-02-11 21:10:35 by Karen C

Check out this special "wheelchair" with stereos etc.

It is reported that California is considering such a move.
I hope Women's lib will not oppose this as it may cut across their moves for equality with men in all spheres

Yes because it is harder for them to walk longer distances so they should be closer to the store or buidling. I hope it does become a law.

2008-03-21 04:48:06 by colin

Price: $15.95

My handicapped sister, who could not stand up by herself, finds getting into her wheelchair more and more difficult as she gets aged and due to the annoying arthritis and back pain. We were thinking of some stool which can be lowered for her to get on then lift her to the level of the wheelchair, but the search so far found nothing. Does anyone out there have any suggestions or information about such or similar device? Please share your opinion and we'll appreciate it!
MS1061

Seems the problem is mostly getting into the wheelchair from some lower point - would that be bed, toilet, other chair? If so, my first suggestion would be to raise those things to the same height as the wheelchair. For chairs and beds - could build something yourself, or use "bed blocks":
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=bed%20b locks

For toilet, you can buy raised toilet seats:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=raised% 20toilet%20seat

Once things are about same level, a "transfer board" might also help:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=transfe r%20board

- and of course removing the armrest from one side of the wheelchair while transferring.

Getting up from the floor is another, and more difficult issue - not sure if that is part of what you are asking.

Hoist/lift would of course be a solution - but often expensive, plus requires the assistance of another person. Maybe not necessary yet?

If at all possible, I would try to get assistance from an OT or a PT in solving the problem!

OT= Occupational therapist
PT = Physical therapist

2008-10-01 21:48:56 by MS1061

Price: $25.36

i am 16 and was just diagnosed with friedreich ataxia, i want a power wheelchair and i have no clue on wich one would be a good one. i'm looking 4 a comfortable, and long lasting wheelchair with a headrest, hip guards, ect.

Think about what you want to do in the chair-but I would have a good physical therapist help you to assess this-they know all of the newest chair options out there. But also check into authorized technicians in your area first. Don't get into a bind like a friend of mine who got a Hover-round, but there was only 1 authorized technician for 80 miles and she went for long periods of time without use of the chair when there were problems.

Good Luck!

2008-07-13 14:16:55 by wrestlingk14

No, but it would certainly be good if you had some sort of credentials. After all, it's the persons's life and independence you're dealing with, you'd better know what you're doing! Also, if the dog is not really well trained and socialized and acts "unprofessional" in public, you are not only jeopardizing the person's safety, you could damage the image of service dogs everywhere. One bad apple spoils the bunch, you know. It's taken decades to get where we are today with access privileges for service dogs.

If you are interested in learning to train a service dog, there are a LOT of good organizations out there that could use volunteers, and there are several organizations dedicated to teaching people how to train dogs for those tasks.

A lot of organizations actually teach prisoners or at-risk teens to train the dogs, kind of kills two birds with one stone by helping those people do something positive with their life as well as creating good service dogs for people with disabilities. Also, there is at least one organization that teaches people with disabilities how to train their OWN service dog.

Here are some links you might enjoy.
Canine Companions for Independence, a nationwide service dog training group that teaches at-risk teens how to train service dogs, and provides those dogs to people with disabilities.
http://www.cci.org/
The Assistance Dog Institute, in California, a fully accredited university dedicated solely to the training of service dogs. You can actually get a Master's Degree in training service dogs.
http://www.assistancedog.org/
Top Dog, in Arizona, teaches people in wheelchairs how to train their own service dogs. Also publishes books on the subject.
http://www.topdogusa.org/

2007-08-13 00:00:17 by Shasta