Can things go wrong with a new wheelchair? Will things go wrong with a new wheelchair? Is it bad luck or state of the industry?

A father laments the condition of a brand new powered wheelchair ordered for his daughter. Here are some out-takes. You can read the entire post at
http://www.disableddaughter.com/?p=1309

I only have multiple engineering degrees and this is our fifth chair, so I may not know what I am talking about, so can you help me out?

Brand new, delivered wrapped in plastic, new fresh scratches! I wonder if we paid extra for them, the thing only cost about $6000.

There are cables for the reclining back that are twisted and in the way for the included backpack to be hung (i.e.: I also purchased their backpack for the chair which cannot go on the chair because they put the cables in the way).

We learn that when the chair is ordered all the parts are input into the manufacturer’s computer for said order, if a particular size frame, and specific size casters, and this footrest are input, a “soft red flag” pops up. A “hard red flag” means “no way will we sell this combination of parts.” A “soft red flag” means “tell the customer this is a dumb combination of parts and problematic and see if they really really want it.” My combination raised a soft red flag. SL was never told. I was never told. So the manufacturer sold me a chair that they knew was sub par.

SL gives me papers to sign, I can’t tell you what they said since he did not have a copy to leave with me, but will send them by email in the morning. Never got them.

This means that even if you change the axle on the casters, which may allow them to work at zero tilt, there is a good chance that the added inch (from moving the axle to the lower hole, one inch down) will prohibit Pearlsky from being at the table with all of her classmates since that inch must go somewhere, in this case raising her knees.

Oh, there’s much more but you will have to read it at: http://www.disableddaughter.com/?p=1309