I have an IBOT it's great but u need good arm and hand movement to
operate.
Eddie
Sent from Eddie's iPhone
On Oct 16, 2008, at 1:06 PM, "John S." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Medicare is only buying Ibots for people who are close relatives of
high placed bureaucrats. I only know one person who has an Ibot and
he is a para that is the brother of a woman that is on the steering
committee for Ohio's waiver program. They even built him a house.
Depending on thew economy, they show him off or try to hide him.
Since 2002 his house has privacy bushes.
You need a chair that you can steer. Some chairs have a steering
system that lets an aid drive it. You may want sip n puff. I don't
know what you are capable of. It should have a tilt feature to shift
pressure points and prevent sores. It should recline and have a
padded headrest and probably a seat designed for you. Trough
armrests. Footplates large enough that your toes do not hang off. A
power outlet in case of need for oxygen or ventilator. (God forbid)
Better to get it than to wish it was there while you turn blue.
Largest batteries possible. If you do not fly, you do not need gell
cell batteries. Get SLA batteries, tons more power at half the price
of gells.
Decide where you want to get your chair then they will walk you
through the process. Be insistant about the batteries. SLA's outlast
gells and provide a lot more power for longer. A Roho Quadra main
seating cushion is what I recommend.
I'm in the process of having an invacare tdx3 or 4 built for me. If
you get the Invacare, the TDX has center wheel drive and manuvers in
tight places well. The Invacare Storm is rear wheel drive and
supports more weight with larger battery options, although I've only
seen one size battery go in them Be sure they put in padded hip
guides so your butt doesn't shift and comfortable restraint belts
and foot straps, maybe arm straps. And get a MyDesc lap table.
Thats all I can think of. Someone else will pick up something I
missed.
I find that by having my DME (wheelchair supplier) close by I
usually get my chair repairs that day, but ask your local CIL,
(Independant living center) which DME is best in your area and
accepts Medicare/Medicaid assignments. Ask other quads or rehab
places. If you get a rare and exotic chair, you will wait longer for
parts.
Best Wishes
john
----- Original Message ----
From: Danny Espinoza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 2:55:44 PM
Subject: [QUAD-L] Ibot
I need a power chair… Ive read good things about the ibot….
However all I have for insurance is medical, and recently medicare.
I have doubts they would cover it just because Ive had a difficult t
ime with them covering other basic things…. Those of you who have go
t one in which medical/medicare covered, could you share some pointe
rs with along with what hoops you had to jump through? Id greatly ap
preciate it! Thanks in advance!
I am paralyzed from the neck down for now..
Occupation before car accident - Network engineer / SR. Network
security engineer
Certs A+, N+, LPI, CCNA, CCNP, CCSP
Broke c2,c6,c7 and doner bone at c2
TBI from blood going to central cortex from spinal cord off a vent
"woohoo"
however only one half of my diaphragm works right now "due to
asymmetric SCI"
My unfinished webpage http://spinalcordinjured.net
