Government Scrimping on Wheelchair Seating

When I acquired my latest power wheelchair, the Quantum Q6, I requested a seat cushion, a GeoMatrix model which I had once used on a loner chair (while my Permobil was yet again nonoperational) and had found it fairly comfortable.  The cost of the wheelchair and seating combination was partially subsidized by the government's Assistive Devices Program (ADP).

I also purchased a second seat cushion identical to the one I had been using on the Permobil, a Prism Supreme II.  As the government subsidizes only one seat cushion per applicant, I paid for this one fully with my own funds.

I had found that a periodic change of seating contributes to comfort.  Regardless of the cushion's design or quality, prolonged sitting will inevitably result in discomfort.  One cushion may be superior to another in certain situations  

When I received the cushions I noticed my vendor only supplied one seat cover per cushion whereas when I received my seat cushions for my previous two chairs, they always came with a replacement seat cover.  Asking my vendor about this, they replied that the Assistive Devices Program no longer supplies a second seat cover for the seat cushion provided.  "Why?" I asked.  My vendor shrugged and told me the obvious, "In order to save money."  Unless the wheelchair user claims to be incontinent, which I am not, an alternate seat cover is not provided.

Through ADP, I previously received two seat covers per seat cushion so that the used cover could be swapped out for a fresh cover when the other is sent to the laundry.

From my vendor, I now understand that each cushion comes with only one seat cover.  So when the users seat cover becomes soiled for whatever reason (perspiration, spills, and yes, even accidents), one must transfer to some other surface and remain off the wheelchair for however long it takes for the soiled cover to be laundered.  (What if you do your own laundry at a laundromat?)

What a chintzy way of saving money!

Does one have to prove they urinate or defecate on their seats in order to get a second seat cover to use while the other is laundered.  Do you have to have an "accident" on command, or would a note from your healthcare provider suffice?

I suspect that even the most penurious, down & out homeless person has a second pair of britches they could put on while the first pair take a spin in a laundromat or rainwater barrel.

 

Even those television commercials hawking some product or another shout "But wait!  We'll even throw in this travel pouch to contain your widget, a thirty-dollar value, for free!!!"

There is nothing special about these cloth sacs which should warrant a premium price and therefore what savings could be realized in denying the disabled a second cover?

I'm unaware of other's experiences with seat cushion covers, but my seat covers, two at that, quickly show wear and tear simply form daily usage.  Seams separate, material shreds and zipper's snag.

Something of which I was unaware - ADP does subsidized the replacement of a seat cushion every two years (as opposed to five for wheelchairs).  How long this will continue is uncertain as my vendor revealed that they had heard the government's Assistive Devices Program may be terminated.  I wonder if this is the ultimate cost saving measure?  Would the program be replaced by another, or would the disabled be left high and dry to fend for themselves?  Who among us, even if employed, can afford a $10,00+ power chair every five years or so?  And which wheelchair vendor and repair facility could stay in business if the disabled are no longer able to obtain the mobility devices they need?

I have not confirmed these rumours with ADP itself.

Blake Medical's GeoMatrix seat consists honeycombed gel sheets of select densities.  While the gel itself doesn't breath, the pockets do offer some ventilation particularly when shifting.  A third gel cushion may be inserted for extra weight-bearing capability.  One thing I've noticed is that the gel "pockets" slump forward when going down a steep ramp and offers a sensation that one is sliding off the seat.

My GeoMatrix seat cushion was priced at $621.00 Canadian.

The seat cushion I bought outright (with my own funds) was the Prism Supreme II.  It consists of various density foam blocks, stacked and contoured.

My Prism Supreme II was priced at $459.99 Canadian.

I can buy a full-size living room sofa for the same price.  Somebody must be making a huge profit on these simple items.

I suspect that each cushion has been individually inspected, sat upon and blessed by the Minister of Heath and the prices charged support his/her six-figure salary.

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New Power Wheelchair - My Third

Anyone who has stumbled upon my blog may know of the troubles I encountered with my second powerchair--a Permobil.  Problems with that powerchair began almost immediately after taking posession of it, and continued to where virtually all parts of the chair had been replaced, at least once--well before I was eligible for government support in purchasing a replacement.

Since that time I've heard from numerous owners of a Permobil with similar issues and frustrations.  My personal advice is to stay away from this flawed brand!

My first chair was a Quantum, which ran well for seven years, with only one motor (under warranty) and the joy-stick needing replacement in that time period (not including normal wear on the tires.)  It was repossessed by the ADP government agency on my receipt of the Permobil (something to do with the tilt-seat which I really didn't need in the first place).

The Permobil was a nice looking chair and I was assured by the vendor that it was reliable.  I regretted the choice early on.  The curly-cue sides rails do not permit hanging side pockets for personal items such as keys, etc.  The only plus-side to the design of the Permobil I found was that the motors can be disengaged at the front, by the user, rather than at the rear.  This may be useful if you have some use of your limbs, as I have, to maneuver yourself to a more advantageous location during a breakdown.

A sympathetic friend found a used Quantum 300 powerchair which he offered for my permanent use.  This workhorse freed me from the Permobil nightmare and it continues to work to this day (I did replace both motors after one failed).

On July 12, 2018: having met eligibility for a replacement powerchair, I contacted an Assisted Device Program (ADP) representative at a major local hospital, requesting assessment for a new wheelchair.  I received by e-mail a Microsoft Excel form to fill out with my pertinent information, which then was returned.  This I did and then waited.

August 10, 2018: Not knowing how long these things may take, I waited patiently.  Not having received an update on my submitted request after a month, I again contacted the ADP representative.  She claimed not to have received my e-mailed Excel document.  I suppose I should have asked for a receipt on submission.  I found the original document in my "sent" folder and re-sent the same form which they now received.  (my e-mailed document did not "bounce back".  They must have lost it,)

September 18, 2018: I met with this ADP representative in my home where she assessed my needs and took measurements of my freebie Quantum.  She filed my request with the government agency and we waited for approval.

Late March, 2019: Almost a half-year after my request was filed, I was approved for a new powerchair

April 2, 2019: The initial chair recommended by the ADP agent would simply not meet my requirements.  The vendor who delivered the demonstrator model quickly assessed my situation and proposed another Quantum model.

May 19, 2019: The vendor I had selected delivered a Quantum Q6 model which I found much more to liking and suitable to my needs.  The vendor placed an order with the manufacturer to construct a Q6 to my specifications.

June 11, 2019: The invoice for my Quantum Q6 bears this date and has a listing of the components specifically requested, including seating.

August 22, 2019:  I took possession of the new Quantum Q6.

I found this Quantum model an improvement over my old freebie Quantum, particularly the suspension.  I find it climbs over obstacles much more smoothly.  The demonstrator came with similar curly-cue side-arms.  My model has the more common square frame side supports which Pride (Quantum) supplied with small side bags on each side.

I am keeping my freebie Quantum as I never want to be without motorized wheels again.  Those who have read this blog know I spent the summer of 2017 powerless as I waited another vendor to try twice to resolve my loss of power issues.

I changed vendors as I found the first vendor's office staff somewhat complacent regarding my urgency.  Vendors can only move as fast as the manufacturers offer cooperation.  I don't see why in this age of faxes, e-mails and overnight courier shipping, it takes two weeks to a month to obtain a wheelchair part.  This is in addition to the week's wait before a technician can diagnose the problem and another week for an appointment for the installation of the part.

Enough text.  Here are some photos of the Quantum Q6:

Front View: I requested a foot-rest which folds up underneath the chair.  I can stand and do so frequently during the day.  Also, because I have some use of my legs, I simply lift them up and drive to where I'm going around the house and my property.  The foot-rest would only be employed if I was to travel by a public disability service (taxi or bus).

 

Right Side View: The tubular arm supports form a square frame and you can see a small bag hanging from the middle strut of the arm-rest.  I find this useful for keys, pen; small personal items.

 

Rear View: The rear caster support bar is clean and compact.  Reflectors on the casters.  Motor disengagement toggles are at the rear as in all Quantum models I'm familiar with.  Cables from the controller unit to the motors are exposed and I worry that I may back into something and snag them.  (I'm capable of doing the impossible.)

 

Left Side: Identical to the right side with another small pocket on the sidebar.

 

A photo of the foot support lowered. It is nice, compact and has smooth surfaces so when I stand up and brace against it there is no sharp pressure against my legs.  One problem (arrow) is that the covers to the nuts securing the casters is simply pressure-fitted. My bed frame is at the precise height that it acts as a "bottle opener" and the cap flung off probably as easily as it was punched on.  The cap disappeared into the dark recess of my room, never to be seen again.  Sweeping under the bed with a mop did not recover the cap.  Nor was it thrown back into the nooks and crannies of the chair.  That cap seems to be gone forever.  One of those mysteries like where is Jimmy Hoffa, or Amelia Earhart.

 

One problem I had (with every chair that I owned) was that because I have the ability to stand, I brace against the chair to do so.  The seat pan of every chair is a metal plate about an eighth (or five-sixteenth?) thick.  Even though it is rounded over, the pressure of bracing against it produces cutting discomfort.  My solution was to obtain a thick-walled hose such as that used for washer drainage, easily obtained at a local hardware store such as Home Depot.  The hose is slit using a box cutter or other such item (careful!) and it is slid over the sharp edge.

Here the hose bumper can be seen in place (arrow), protecting the backs of my legs--particularly if in shorts--from the discomfort of bracing.

With warmer weather arriving (the battery won't freeze) I've placed the old Quantum in my garage and hope to use it exclusively outdoors.  I'll transfer from one chair to the other outside and in that way will keep the new one clean if I pull weeds, saw wood or paint.

I still have the Permobil at another site and am not sure what to do with it.  It is a useless "paper-weight" containing many new parts.  In that sense it is too new to scrap but I have no confidence in its continued operation.  Perhaps I can make a nice flower planter out of it.

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