How good is a wheelchair when it is down for repairs? What good is a wheelchair when you can’t get repairs or repairs take forever?

The great wheeled liberator, the wheelchair, can just as easily become a jailer when lack of repairs and prolonged repair waiting times exist. This situation seems to be a common one, especially for those wheelchair users who depend on third party funders such as insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid. The inability to obtain repairs and parts has turned many wheelchair users into prisoners in their own homes, or at a minimum, has placed them in a position where they must use unsafe and compromised wheelchairs.

A recent post on Spinal Cord Advocates flushed out these comments which demonstrate the level of frustration with wheelchair service issues.

Richard

I tried getting my almost new powerchair repaired in my town. The chair was still under warranty but the place that sold it to me was no longer in business. I tried a number of other companies nearby and was totally blown away. Excuses for not being able to do the warranty work ranged from “we didn’t sell you the wheelchair” to “we don’t sell that model here”. But, they did sell wheelchairs from the same manufacture! I can only assume that they did not want to fix it. Luckily my car mechanic was able to repair the wiring problem. I wish that car companies manufactured wheelchairs. Companies that manufacture products without setting up a reliable repair network should not be in business.

Frog1979

I asked about repairs to my wheelchair instead of buying new. I was refused because I used foundations to pay for my chair when insurance decided I didn’t need an ultralight wheelchair and they refused to pay for it even with letters from doctors, rehab and three appeals. Again, it would be so much cheaper to repair my chair than to replace it. I’m so very sick of refusals and high costs of DME. If DME is purchased by an individual without insurance it is cheaper than to use insurance because insurance companies have conbtracts with DME companies and usually pay a higher price. I have experienced this several times. The whole system is really messed up so very severely.

Georzetta

I applaud your persistence and sensibility. I, too, am appalled at the overwhelming cost of buying something new when the old thing could just be repaired. I’m going through this with the legs on my wheelchair. They have needed to be replaced for about four years now but it is impossible to find anyone who has them in stock or can order them.

I live in a large town/small city in our options are limited. Up to this point I have been able to find folks who consider this kind of repair a challenge to their skills and help me out. I’ve spent a fair amount of time at the local hardware store searching for just the right size screws and bolts as well as electrical wire.

I have to say though that when the time comes, I will just cave and get a new chair. I just can’t find the energy or time to fight some of these battles. I wish I could. Be well and good luck.