I thought we had somewhere to go. I had Tommy wake me at 11:30. He did; I ate. When Tommy started the car, he asked me, "Where first?" I told him and he said it was cancelled. What?
So, I had three hours sleep, washed my hair, got dressed nicely, and we have nowhere to go???
We went to a place with disability equipment. It was a long drive. It was also a disappointment. The more efficient and better employees helped other people. They did not seem to understand what a hoist to put a scooter or wheelchair in a car was. I took my hands and motioned while I said "lift the scooter into the trunk."
He assured us our car would not work, that the hoist would not attach to floor of suv. That news was pretty devastating. Then, after a few minutes he said, "Let me check." He came back and assured us it would fit our Odyssey. I asked Tommy if we said Odyssey. No. So, he had to go check for the CRV. I was frustrated.
Next question, "How do you want to lift the wheelchair? Your husband?" At that point I was ready to leave. I also said I wanted compression socks. I had made it clear that I wanted them just to the knee. She also said, "I don't know what size you wear. Oh dear! She looked so lost. I told her that I told her I had measurements which she acknowledged and then, obviously, promptly forgot. So, I showed her again.
I asked the guy how much a hoist cost. $4K. I asked how much the installation cost. $4. $8K for hoist and installation??? No, he laughed. Neither of these people had sales skills. Neither could remember what we said. Tommy noticed, too.
We were sitting right in front of walk-in showers, so we asked about those. They only sell the things to install. Another guy will do the installation. He refused to tell me the name of company who would do the installation. Whew! I can at least check the guy's reputation out online.
The thing that frustrates me is that there is no large basket available to even buy separately for the scooters. I have seen large baskets available for wheelchairs.
Also frustrating is the nylon in the compression socks. That would be so hot, even in the winter. We brought home five pages of info.
We have someone coming to give a price for walk-in shower. Hopefully, this meeting won't be too stressful.
Do you have a hoist in your vehicle for lifting a wheelchair or scooter into your vehicle?
I cannot understand a business that specialises in access-friendly equipment not employing staff who have had the relevant training !
ReplyDeleteProspective customers are going to ask a lot of questions if they're considering such an expensive item so it makes no sense to have casual staff who cannot answer basic questions, or even remember what you've already told them !!
YS,
DeleteAfter about 20 minutes, she commented that she had worked there 22 years. She must have been an office worker until that day. It was so puzzling to me, too. That statement made me give up hope of getting anything accomplished. But, it was difficult to get in there, so we powered on with the question.
There were recliners. So, we both sat in one since there was no other place to sit. Finally, I picked up the remote. It just laid me back in an uncomfortable manner as feet came up. I reversed it and sat back up. I commented and the woman helping me said, "That is a recliner. It will let you lay [sic]. She was explaining it to me like I had never seen a recliner. I was only puzzled because it had a weird way of working. The only way I could get feet up was to lie down. Strange. I think it was at that point Tommy told her we both have recliners.
My husband can load my scooter into our Oddesy. For now. I have the Drive Scout. Cheapest place to get it is Amazon. They also have the big basket. But you can't have the basket attached while it is in the vehicle and Hubby has to get down on a knee in parking lots to put it on which I hate. Any kind of equipment for a disability is so expensive. Our stair lift was $11K. It kept us from having to move so worth every penny. We had a fiberglass shower estimate a few years ago and didn't do it because $8K. I recently tried a lightweight power chair and it was so uncomfortable that we returned it to the tune of $550 shipping and restocking fee. We considered a tray on the back of our vehicle until my SIL said her husband's chair fell off theirs on the road. There are no easy answers.
ReplyDeleteLana,
DeleteVERY helpful information! We both need what I call an outdoor elevator.
I looked. I cannot ride in a Drive Scout. Four-wheels are difficult. I cannot have feet and knees bent to put feet up on top of wheels.
I think I might try a three-wheeler and chance dumping myself off...lol.
Thankfully, he has a one-story house, so no problem except for front door.
I refuse to have my chair on back of car. Bugs on it, dust, rain. Even a cover lets wasps under to start nests. Now, it could fall off?
What lightweight power chair did you try? What is a lightweight power chair?
You have been most helpful. Thanks.
Look at EZ Lite Cruiser. The problem is that they don't have enough power unless you are a small person and I am not. So we swapped for a more powerful chair but it was very uncomfortable. I do not recommend even trying this type chair because the deeper we looked at reviews the more truth we uncovered. They are a great idea but need a lot of work before they are a good option.
ReplyDeleteThe three wheel scooters are easy to tip. A family member has one and for me I would not do it. The four wheel is uncomfortable but safe. If we had one with a tray we would have unloaded it into the garage between trips. The only other option is the big heavy chairs like Jazzy and a handicap equipped van.
Lana,
DeleteI know people who get a stronger battery. Maybe that will make it go faster.
I think maybe I can get little training wheel type for stability. Even the four-wheel kind have these or a bar to hit the ground.
Uncomfortable is not something I am willing to try. If it makes back, knees and feet hurt, I would be unhappy. Thanks for all this info. If you think of something else, just let me know.
What we saw was a stronger battery could help but the battery runs out quickly. I was concerned about being stranded somewhere. On the Scout when it is low there is enough time to get to the car. Any of the options requires someone who can load and unload and manage charging batteries. They are quite heavy and need to be charged every couple of uses.
DeleteOh dear ... not a good experience.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the meeting regarding the walk-in shower will prove more helpful and less stressful for you.
All the best Jan
Jan,
DeleteVery frustrating. They were nice, just sort of clueless. I am looking forward to the bath meeting.