I have had my Permobil Chairman since January of 1999. I never got the "height up and down" feature because that is usually for people who have the ability to get something out of a cupboard or a microwave or something like that. I don't have enough movement so I skipped that feature. But I do have the till and recline.
Now I regret not having gotten the "up and down" feature because that is the easiest way to take out or put in new batteries. The two times that I have had to have the batteries replaced... it hasn't been a big deal except that I have to get out of the chair and spend that time in bed because they have to turn the chair on its side or whatever to change the batteries. The original vendor who sold me the chair also did a bait and switch on me. But I did not realize it until we moved way out here to Arizona from New York State. They were supposed to have the gel cell batteries but the first time I needed the batteries replaced I found out that they had put in acid cell batteries. That was one lie. There were a couple of others but I have forgotten them now. Once they sell you the chair they think their responsibilities and obligations over many-a-time. Like most chairs.... it can sometimes take up to six months to get used to the chair and it did for me. It is a very cheaply made chair however and I am eligible for a new one, and have been, for the last five years but have not had a very good reason to go for it quite yet. I had a full sized Ford Econoline 150 *just before* I got my Permobil. And the van had the raised doors so I scooted right in with my old chair which was a Fortress Scientific (had it for 12 years). It was not long afterward that I decided I wanted a minivan after having three full-sized vans prior. Again, when I firmly decided that that is what I wanted (and I tried out the minivan first)... I still had my old wheelchair and was therefore easily able to scoot right in because it did not fit as high as Permobils do. For me, the height of the Permobils are the biggest problem. I could/can't no longer scoot right in my minivan. And still can't without ducking my head or someone has to stand behind me and pushed me forward a little bit. It is more difficult when the vehicle is parked in a flat driveway or a parking lot because the ramp goes upward (of course) even though it is not very steep at all. So many times... when going to a store of some kind... I will have whoever is driving me leave me off at the curb. When pulling alongside a curb... the van ramp goes straight into the van so there is no slope to go up whatsoever. And I JUST fit under kitchen tables, restaurant tables, etc. etc. etc.. But I have to have the chair tilted all the way down to the upright position and I would rather recline (* actually need to* for comfort and to alleviate pain) for a little bit of comfort. Therefore... I always eat on my lap tray at home. And we did not go out to eat hardly and if we go to other peoples houses to eat... I just carry along my lap tray. I haven't had too many problems getting my Permobile repaired but I know that it is not as easy as the other two wheelchairs I have since my injury. I have always kept up with the threads here about chairs and bookmarked many of them for when the time comes for me to get a new one. Happy new year to everyone! Lori Michaelson C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post Tucson, AZ On Dec 30, 2007 11:37 PM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Is a Honda Odyssey a minivan? Does anybody have a web site with a > picture of one. > I wonder if they Permobile will set fit in a minivan, does anyone know or > can relate their experiences. I wrote a local company that deals with vans > for persons with disabilities with questions than they did not answer any of > them I guess I just need to call them. I think they were called mobility > first, but I'm not sure. I have only vote on their web site one time. > Every time since I have written them, I get monthly e-mails > > it will be a long time before, I will probably be able to get another van > as I have a 93 Ford Econoline. But I always like to gather information so I > will be ready when the opportunity for me to look for another is available. > I always have to buy used vans. > > Thank you for the information any of you can provide. > Dana > > a lot of people like foreign cars I have never had the opportunity to have > one. > > -- Lori C4/5 complete quad, 27 years post Tucson, AZ
