I am a functional C-4 quadriplegic although my actual injury is C2-3. I have been injured for 18 years now.
My first wheelchair was an Invacare storm with a Labac seating system on it. It took me a couple of years to get it properly fitted for me, but from about the third year on the chair was very comfortable, although I did have to put foam behind my left shoulder every once in a while. The only curvature of the spine I got was because I let my chair lean to the right while I was having some mechanical issues in I rue the day that I let that occur. I've been fighting the battle for quite a while now. I had to have the back of my chair built up about 6 inches higher than they recommend in order to support my shoulder blades, because they tend to wing out and can cause a seating problem. When I was fitted for a Permobil about five years ago I told them I needed an extra high-back, but they didn't listen to me. They ended up having to put one on later on and it took quite a while to get the chair fitted to me. I still don't like it as well as my first chair, but my posture is still really good. The main reason my posture has remained good is because I wear abdominal binders to make sure that my spine doesn't curve and I use lateral supports in order to keep me straight in the chair. In the past I only had to use one, but with the Permobil I have to use two because the back of the chair is much straighter and I am prone to slide around too much on it. I've also been told you can get Roho to do a special back to fit on a plastic shell. They're talking about doing that for me because I do have a problem with my bladder hurting terribly if I sit up to far forward. That's another story. I hope one day you're able to find some relief. I'm really tempted to call Permobil headquarters one day and see if they can get some quads to help in the redesign of the new chairs. There are many things which could be done to improve the chairs which would not require a serious amount of engineering, just some practical applications from people who use the chair day-to-day. You would need low-level quads, high-level quads and even some paraplegics in order to get a good idea of how to build special chairs. Quadius On Mon, Sep 9, 2013 at 4:36 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > ** > You have only to ask, next time you are there. They may out-source the > task, but you never know.... > Best Wishes > > In a message dated 9/9/2013 1:01:50 P.M. Central Daylight Time, > [email protected] writes: > > I live in ATL so I use Shepherds seating clinic, but they have never > presented this as an option. I have had rigid backs before for previous > chairs but this one I am using the standard back. (TiLite ZRA). I am > looking into these Ottobocks. > > Todd > > > On Fri, Sep 6, 2013 at 1:53 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > >> ** >> Hi Todd, >> >> I'm not sure if you have been evaluated by seating and positioning >> specialist. There some clinics that will take a mold of your back and >> custom design a back rest using the mold. Have you considered or tried >> that? >> >> Best Wishes >> >> In a message dated 9/6/2013 11:55:17 A.M. Central Daylight Time, >> [email protected] writes: >> >> When will people realize that there is no custom wheelchair back that >> will fix my posture. I am sick of hearing this from people. Maybe a hard >> turtle shell brace could but would leave me unable to perform any daily >> activities independently. Sit up straight, sit up straight... FU i'm a >> quad. I've tried every contraption there is almost. <vent over> thank >> you! >> >> Todd D >> c6inc '89 >> >> >
