I forgot to post this to the list. Just in case, or perhaps, others want to chime in or have been or will be in the same or similar dilemmas. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Lori Michaelson <[email protected]> Date: Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 5:12 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Permobil or Invacare To: Quadius <[email protected]>
POWER WHEELCHAIRS, NEW VANS, and I'M GROWING!!! ** Yesterday, when my DEMO INVACARE TDX was still in the house... my husband measured the seat pan to floor distance for the Invacare TDX and it is about an inch lower than my current 12-year-old Permobile Chairman. Like Quadius, when my van rocks back and forth for any reason... I also will/can get my eyebrow area on the felt-like material of the indoor roof of my minivan. Not to mention not being able to easily get under tables in restaurants and home. So that inch might make a world of difference... or not. Tough call. ** Here's an interesting tidbit of information: Since I have pretty much been bedridden over the last year and a half (because of my wound) ... the times that I HAVE had to get into my van to go to the Wound Care or other places ... *every time* I go to get into my van it *seems like* I have to bend my head down/forward further and farther each time. Then, after I am in my van as a passenger... it *seems like* I keep sitting taller and taller and taller. MAKING NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. But when I went for my "seating evaluation" not long ago I mentioned this to the Occupational Therapist and I think she figured out what/is was happening. While I was used to sitting up in my chair for at least 7 hours every day ... the spine or vertebrae are usually compressed little by little over time (making me sit a little shorter). But having to be in bed 99.99% of the time over the last year + that much time does not allow for any vertebrae compression. So ALMOST the reverse has been happening over the last year! My upper torso probably has been growing! :-) To make it worse, I am always been "pulled up" (at least once a day) in bed because I easily slide down in the bed on my rotating air mattress during the day. So that stretches my upper torso as well. *I don't think I would have ever thought of that*! ** And since my van is almost 13 years old (Braun Enter Van - Dodge) ... it is also time for me to look for another van (for reasons of my own). So I have had a minivan for the last 12 1/2 years. Before that I had 3 full-size vans since my injury 31 years ago. That is a *whole other story/dilemma* -- to stay with a minivan with all of its pros and cons or go back to a full-size van with all of its pros and cons. DECISIONS, DECISIONS!!! Since I have had both and already know the pros and cons... it does not make the choice any easier! Especially when choosing a new chair AT THE SAME TIME. One would think that might be easier but it's not. Are we twins Quadius? <grin > Lori C 4/5 Complete Quad, 31 years post Tucson Arizona On Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 7:04 PM, Quadius <[email protected]> wrote: > I agree with all the limitations which Lori has adequately highlighted. I > might mention that my Permobile also tends to bounce around in my van a > little that I would like. In fact, I got a C. 350 so the seat to floor > distance would be lower, but I am still about a half-inch from the top of my > Uplander. My problem is that when someone takes a turn too quickly to the > left or a speed bump I risk hitting my head against the side molding. Now > I'm thinking about whether I might need to think about another van. > > Quadius > > > On Tue, Nov 9, 2010 at 5:54 PM, Lori Michaelson <[email protected]>wrote: > >> Absolutely the dealer should have gotten in trouble and made it right! >> What you said made me remember WHEN, in January of 1999, I got my >> Permobile. It took forever for the dealer to make the chair right for me >> after it was delivered. >> >> THEN, the first time I needed new batteries (X-number of years later) we >> found out that the dealer who sold me my chair had taken out the gel cell >> batteries that the chair was SUPPOSED TO come with and replaced them with >> acid, deep cell batteries! By then, we had moved from New York State so we >> found out we got screwed too late. We think they stripped the chair of what >> they could and I got the runt of the litter. >> >> Also, I remember that the dealer or Permobile (can't remember now nearly >> 14 years later) let me *try out a chair* for a week in early 1997 and the >> chair I tried out easily slid under tables and had a comfortable back, etc. >> but I did not make my FINAL DECISION to choose a Permobile until the middle >> of 1998 and it arrived in January of 1999. >> >> Looking back NOW, I can see that the chair I tried out for a week and the >> chair that I FINALLY GOT WERE NOT one and the same. >> >> I now understand why "seating evaluations" BEFORE HAND need to occur!!! >> And constantly following up with the dealer TO MAKE SURE everything is >> kosher before all is said and done. >> >> Lori >> >> >> >> On Tue, Nov 9, 2010 at 12:13 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> II really liked my Chairman 2K but my dealer sold me a C. 300 and I >>> don't like it at all. The C. 500 is the same as the Chairman 2K. He did not >>> tell me this until 6 months after I had the chair. I told him I wanted the >>> same chair. The company would not do anything nor would Permobile . They >>> said it was too late. The dealer was United Seating and Mobility (previously >>> Apria) I got the Chairman 2K through Apria.. The dealer should have gotten >>> in trouble and they should have made it right. >>> Dana >>> in a message dated 11/8/2010 5:24:22 P.M. Central Standard Time, >>> [email protected] writes: >>> >>> Atta Boy Eric! If you send an email to Mark Smith-Product Manager at >>> Pride Quantum Div with your Provider and Purchase order, he will personally >>> update you with any progress of your chair. Mark can be reached at: >>> [email protected] >>> >>> Best Wishes >>> >>> In a message dated 11/8/2010 1:44:12 P.M. Central Standard Time, >>> [email protected] writes: >>> >>> Personally, I much prefer my Permobils over my Invacare solely due to >>> reliability. After having 2 Permobils I've decided to try a Quantum due to >>> a very close dealer. >>> >>> Eric W Rudd >>> [email protected] >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> *From:* Derrick <[email protected]> >>> *To:* [email protected] >>> *Sent:* Monday, November 08, 2010 1:07 PM >>> *Subject:* [QUAD-L] Permobil or Invacare >>> >>> I have had electric Invacare wheelchairs all my years with c/5 sci. >>> >>> I hear Permobil is better and my vendor is bringing one for evaluation. >>> Which do you prefer and why? >>> >>> Any suggested questions that I should ask? >>> Thanks, >>> Derrick >>> Ps:if you get a message from my spamblocker whenn replying -do not worry >>> i'll get your message >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Lori >> Age - 46 >> C4/5 complete quad, 31 years post >> Tucson, AZ >> > > -- Lori Age - 46 C4/5 complete quad, 31 years post Tucson, AZ -- Lori Age - 46 C4/5 complete quad, 31 years post Tucson, AZ
