Wheechairs

[westernind]

Does anyone know about wheelchairs? My mother has asked me to find out prices for 'a bog standard non motorised wheelchair'. The situation is that having lost a huge amount of weight rapidly through undiagnosed diabetes, muscle wastage means that her legs sometimes collapse beneath her without warning and she falls and hurts herself. Although physio makes things a bit better, she wants a wheelchair because she doesn't feel safe. Her arms are also not strong enough for sticks.

Finding out the basics isn't so hard, a google search brings up the Help the Aged site and Wheelchairs-R-Us(!). What I'd like to know is what makes a good wheelchair? Any review sites? She'd be pushed rather than propelling herself. In the meantime, Venice in four weeks' time arrrgggh. Finding a chair that can cope better with cobbles would be good. bigger wheels? But lightweight and transportable also necessary.

PS
Do not go on crash diets, kiddies. :-(

Comments

Re: More detail

[westernind.livejournal.com]

Does she like it? they're incredibly cheap and lightweight!

Re: More detail

[rebby.livejournal.com]

She likes the light weight because that makes it easier to lift in & out of cars, which was one of her major requirements. She has the big wheel so she can push herself & has a cushion for suspension.

She's had very different experiences when travelling some countries have a very good disability policy some very bad. She hasn't been to venice though.