Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Holly Elliott asks

Q: When do you know it is time to turn mobility over to a wheelchair?

Hello:

I am a new member and hope to get to know you over time. My question today is that of when does one know it is time to turn mobility over to a wheelchair?

This has been the greatest dilemma I have found myself in for many years. Approx. one year ago I was able to get out of my wheelchair and use forearm crutches to get about. It was absolutely grand!!!

Now that the disease has progressed my balance has become very compromized. On a scale of 1 to 40 (40 being the higher function) I scored a 9.

If I were to write down the falls I have had in the past two months the picture is grim. One fall caused me to fracture the shoulder blade - ooch!!....lots more injuries on top of that.

Can you share with me the pivotal moment when you agreed to sit in a wheelchair for the first time knowing that it might be a lifetime transition in life......the quality of one's life changes greatly at this point.

If you have any words of wisdom for me......I would love to hear from you at

carpe.diem@ns.sympatico.ca

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Answers (2)

Vicki, Health Guide

6/13/09 7:00pm

Hi Holly, I think joguinn gave a great answer. The evaluation of the medical team is required for insurance these days. Every wheelchair is not equal and the specialist can help you select the one that is right for you, right size, right seat, softness or firmness.

But how do you know when you are ready? It is hard because you almost feel as if you are giving up. Please don't. I think you need the chair if you are tired most of the time, if you fall regularly -- especially if you break bones. Even if you have the chair, you can stand or walk if you still can. It is great to be able to stand to transfer to the bed, the toilet, or even another chair.

I resisted getting a wheelchair for a long time, and when I finally did I knew I should have done it sooner. I could still walk very short distances and stand with balance support. The chair felt like freedom to me -- and it was actually an Amigo scooter. The chair is your tool, not your master.

I have to admit I did not realize then it was a lifetime commitment, but I am still glad I did it. You will know when it is time. Don't let anyone make your decision for you, but don't put it off if you know the time is right. Good luck.

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank yo

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly for

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly for your

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly for your very s

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly for your very sensitive

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly for your very sensitive response

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly for your very sensitive response to

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly for your very sensitive response to my

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:12am

Hi, Vicki:

Thank you kindly for your very sensitive response to my wheelchair d

Holly Elliott

6/14/09 11:24am

Hi, Vicki: I am hoping my comment is not multiplying as I am having some difficulty with the site.

First I want to thank you for your lovely, very sensitive and thoughful comments. I have been the route of seeing a rehabilitation specialist who specified the options I required on the wheelchair and I must say I do feel safer even in the upper body when in it as the seat is slanted so that my knees are higher than my hips.....this is stablizing my upper body. When sitting out of the wheelchair I need to cross my legs to stay up-right.

I did have some concerns regarding how friends would receive me in this state and as one occupational therapist said - they will see Holly not the wheelchair. She was absolutely right!!!

Just in the period of the past month I have realized that my primary goals must change and that "independent living" be my first and foremost priority. Keeping this in mind it translates to my using the wheelchair and not consider the "disability picture" but the one that describes my ability. One physician said that it was a matter of time that I would have a fall which will put me out of circulation completely.

It is notes such as yours that give me the boost I need to stick to this new priority

Thank you once again for your support -- it is very much appreciated.

Holly

joguinn

6/11/09 8:00pm

I contacted the local hospital's outpatient physical therapy department and got the name of a physical therapist who specialized in doing wheelchair evaluations. This is a specialization in the field, I learned.

This person looked at my gait, upper extremity strength, had me keep a fall journal, inventoried what I could and could no longer do (i.e. grocery shop or go to the movies) and on and on.

This person's indepth look and documentation of my need for a chair was key to having my insurance pay for it. I also used this paperwork in my fight for social security and private disabilty income.

Holly Elliott

6/12/09 8:54am

Dear Joquinn:

Thank you kindly for commenting on the wheelchair issue.

I have been a patient in the Physical Rehabilitation Center for sometime and at the point of discharge the team (a Physical Rehab. Specialist, a Resident, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, and a wheelchair researcher) had an open meeting and it was at that point they relayed my status results.

Like yourself if I defy using the wheelchair and have an accident my insurance coverage would be void.

Now that I am not a patient at the Rehab Center I will be returning as an outpatient and will undergo more assessments and assistance by a vestibular physiotherapist.

Thank you for your input as it gave me several pieces of information that I have neglected eg. insurance restrictions etc.

Holly

Q: When do you know it is time to turn mobility over to a wheelchair?

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