Comments on: How A Wheelchair Can Go Wrong

By: Troy

Troy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:12:34 +0000

I have to agree with Ziggi. Very few people get it when it comes to wheelchairs. They just can’t make the right connection between man and machine and figure out what the wheelchair and user relationship is all about and why the right wheelchair and configuration is so critical. There is still a great deal of educating the public and medical community to be done. Bravo to Jodi and Ziggi for throwing a spotlight on this issue.

By: Pam

Pam — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:14:36 +0000

Can’t fly, can’t walk, and can’t get the right wheelchair. Great!

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:45:06 +0000

This is saddening but not surprising. It’s clear that Jodi was working in the best interests of her patient. Is anyone else in the process doing the same? It seems clear that the physician and his benefactor supplier care only about one thing, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. It’s quite the shame that well intentioned tax dollars will be spent with little to show for it through no fault of the patient. Ultimately though the public outcry will be “why are we spending so much money on wheelchairs?”

By: Ziggi

Ziggi — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:01:49 +0000

Well put Shirley. I’m not at all convinced that physicians (other than some working in a rehab environment) understand or appreciate the worth of rehab specialists such as Jodi. They certainly don’t understand the evaluation process and how complex it is. Anyway, why should it matter? In the eyes of many it is just a wheelchair, no big deal, they’re all the same anyway.

By: Shirley Akis

Shirley Akis — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:58:11 +0000

All I can say is….a lot of Drs. believe that they are the only ones who can make decisions about a patient’s future. I believe that a wheelchair is a very important decision for the patient…because, after all, who’s “butt”…as Jodie put it…will be sitting in this wheelchair for God knows how long? If the Drs. had to sit in one b/c of disability, they would have the most advanced one available…but as usual, they don’t care if the patient is uncomfortable or inconvenienced. Jodie is a very well trained and experienced PT, ATP and if she recommended a wheelchair for me, I would insist that my Dr. do all he/she could to help me obtain that wheelchair.
Shirley F. Akis