All may not be well in the world of wheelchairs. Here a power wheelchair user tells of his ordeal and frustrations as he watches his wheelchair grow in size and cost.

“Originally, my Quickie 626 chair was $18,435 and within a year required $20,174.40 of modifications to install a tilt and recline which was all paid for by my hospitalization carrier, Cigna thus created a $38,608.40 abortion that had limited use but it is fast. The end use product cost more than a custom van, into which it could not have been transported anyway. The entire experience of dealing with Sunrise, Providence Home Services of Portland Oregon, and their sub-contractor Wheelchair Works of Milwaukie Oregon and Cigna over a two-year period was an experience I would not wish on my worse enemy. Their technicians were not properly trained to complete the modifications. The chair had to be returned twice to correct, secure, and cover exposed wire bundles that were also of inadequate length to provide proper service loops. Because the original hard plastic under seat protective cover could not be reinstalled after the modification of adding the tilt cylinder, it was necessary to request a meeting with their service manager sales representative to explain the danger the system and its rider. I had to request adding a protective canvas cover to protect the exposed power components and connections. Their idea of transporting this now $38,608.40 abortion (I have the paper work to support these figures.) was in the back of an open pick up truck, where it was left to bounce around, this was done a second time even though it had been complained about previously. Therefore, between an inept insurance carrier, a clueless hospital provider, and an unqualified sub-contractor service supplier. I ended up with a piece of garbage, my hospitalization spent close to three times the cost of a chair that could have fulfilled all my needs if approved in the first place to cover the progression of my neuromuscular disease. However, no, the know it all, arrogant non-professionals who have never spent a day in a chair, tell us they wish to be of service to us. They are in fact more of a handicap to us, than the many physical limitations and illnesses we are expected to accept with the good-natured smile and the patience of a saint.”

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