Really, there is nothing funny about power wheelchairs that create technical nightmares instead of independence.

Like any technology these wheeled liberators do have their moments, or days, or even months. And those are the times that can try the souls and patience of wheelchair users and those around them.

I’m always amazed to see how well many people cope with the downside of wheelchair use, and how often humor is used to deal with the frustrations.

Here are a few humorous out-takes from emails and reviews that we have received from powered wheelchair users regarding how they feel about their chairs.

It should have the following warning label:
!!! NOT FOR USE WITH A LOVED ONE !!!
*** FOR USE WITH CRANKY IN-LAWS AND NEIGHBORS ONLY! ***

I’m embarrassed to ride this thing in public–it’s SO ugly that a Scion XB looks elegant next to it!

On paper it is a very good power-chair. In 2 years it becomes mediocre. In 4 years it is idiosyncratic and is becoming a problem when traveling.

If this thing fit in a toilet bowl I would have flushed it a long time ago.

BAD REAL BAD outside of the house. If you stay inside all the time great chair. Want to go out in the rain or snow, grass. FORGET it

I don’t expect it to run over rough ground but I do expect it to go up and down paved roads.

I never really understood boat anchor cracks until owning this wheelchair.

Once you have their chair and they have your money, they do not care if you have to drag it behind you!!!!!

There’s so much wrong with this chair that I can’t remember it all.

I have the perfect wheelchair. It takes up no space in my house since it is always in the shop. I don’t ever have to charge it for the same reason. When the repair shop lets it come to visit I know it won’t stay long enough to become an unwanted guest or need dusting off.

when we go to doctors appointments i am always looking for an outlet because I know the power will run out before i get out of the office.

I could find a lot more wrong with this chair but I won’t. I’ll let my repair guy do that he’s with the chair more than I am.

I really like this wheelchair at first but that only lasted for one trip down the street.

This chair has been to the shop so many times that it can find its own way there.

Any words I can use to describe this chair would be socially unacceptable, anywhere in the world.

If you want to spend all your time at a Durable Medical Equipment store this is the chair for you, otherwise find another chair.

My wife hates my wheelchair because it often runs wild and nicks her furniture. My daughter hates it because the motors are noisy and wakes her up. I love it because of all the extra attention I get.

This chair wasn’t engineered it’s some kind of experiment gone berserk.

The best I can say is don’t buy one. Don’t take one for free. As a matter of fact don’t even look interested if you pass one on the street. The owner may just offer it up to be rid of it.

Not to dampen the mood you’re in but these situations really are serious for wheelchair users. Repair frequency combined with the high cost of repairs, marginal warranties, and often very extended waiting times for parts and repairs have created more than fleeting anxieties. These situations create lost independence, lost opportunities, health risks, lifestyle hits, and can toss someone who is already struggling financially into poverty.

It is not the occasional cost or infrequent loss of use of a wheelchair that hurts the most. It’s the chronic need for servicing and the time it takes that is a killer, and that appears to be getting worse not better. Makes one wonder if the state of the industry is state of the art?