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The Scooter Store Donates Power Wheelchair to Disabled Katrina Survivor

Posted on 18. Oct, 2010 by Pride Go Go Elite Traveller.

New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) May 19, 2007

For Dorothy Rubit, it has been a struggle to live a happy life. She has suffered many losses during her lifetime. Mrs. Rubit has endured the loss of loved ones, and her own health has declined significantly, impeding her mobility. And although she survived Hurricane Katrina, the 86-year-old woman still lost most of her possessions in the storm. To help Ms. Rubit improve her quality of life, The Scooter Store granted her an electric wheelchair through its”Gift of Mobility” program.

This week, The Scooter Store delivered a free electric wheelchair under its “Gift of Mobility Program” to Ms. Rubit. The program provides power wheelchairs and scooters to seniors and people with disabilities who do not have the resources or insurance coverage to obtain mobility equipment. The electric wheelchair was delivered by James King from The Scooter Store in Baton Rouge, LA. The National Chronic Pain Society partnered with The Scooter Store to make the donation possible.

Ms. Rubit suffers terribly from arthritis and her spine is so bent it is very difficult for her to stand or even walk short distances. After losing her husband and daughter to bone cancer, Ms. Rubit endured months of relocation due to Hurricane Katrina and a subsequent fire. Unfortunately, she no longer even receives hurricane relief aid and her current fixed income barely covers basic living expenses.

Tough times meant the purchase of an electric wheelchair was out of the question. And, Ms. Rubit got more bad news when she learned her insurance would not cover the cost of an electric wheelchair.

Ever the optimist, Ms. Rubit stayed positive, prayed, and, after seeing a television advertisement, she called The Scooter Store looking for help. Her prayers were answered when she learned The Scooter Store was willing to give her a power wheelchair.

“We hope the power wheelchair delivered to Ms. Rubit can help her enjoy more freedom and independence,” said Doug Harrison, CEO and Founder of The Scooter Store. Mr. Harrison said that “the goal of the Gift of Mobility program is to improve the quality of life for people like Ms. Rubit. We are pleased to be able to help her and others in need.”

Mr. Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002 to help provide freedom, independence and personal integrity to people with limited mobility. Since its inception, the outreach program has worked with organizations around the world to donate each year as many as 70 electric wheelchairs and scooters and manual wheelchairs valued at more than 0,000.

About The Scooter Store

Since 1991, The Scooter Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more than 285,000 people with limited mobility. The Scooter Store offers a full line of durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs and scooters, lifts, ramps and accessories in 47 states, including stores in two Louisiana locations. The Scooter Store has worked with more than 100,000 physicians, providing expertise and quality service to their patients, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. For additional information, visit The Scooter Store website at http://www.thescooterstore.com.

For more information, contact:

Mark B. Leita

Director of Public Affairs – The SCOOTER Store

830.627.4717

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Deciding Between A Mobility Scooter And An Electric Wheelchair

Posted on 11. Oct, 2010 by Pride Go Go Elite Traveller.

Deciding Between A Mobility Scooter And An Electric Wheelchair

Advances in personal mobility products including scooters and electric wheelchairs have returned convenience, freedom, and independence to many seniors suffering from limited mobility. These advances, because there are now so many quality choices, have also necessitated a thorough review of options and needs to ensure that the eventual purchase of the mobility product results in the best solution for each individual. The following is a review of both personal mobility products including descriptions as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Mobility Scooters:

These scooters allow for low cost mobility without the psychological weight of being confined to a wheelchair. Options include a variety of styles, colors, designs and upgrades and cover the full spectrum of uses from shopping to navigating uneven terrain.   These scooters come in three different model types:

* Three wheel – These models typically offer better handling in tight quarters and more leg room than other options.
* Four wheel – Built for a bearing weight of up to 500 pounds, these scooters offer more stability and heavy duty mobility than the three wheel mobility scooters.
* Compact scooters – For situations where storage or transportation options are limited, these scooters fold down to allow for placement in smaller areas whether in the house, car, or van.     
Steering and control of electric mobility scooters is usually done via handlebars much like those seen on bicycles and work best for owners that are not suffering from upper body mobility issues. Top speeds average around 8 miles per hour, with higher power models usable on roads, uneven terrain, and up steep hills. Another advantage of these scooters is that transporting them requires only a simple trailer which can easily be attached to the back of a car or van.
Personal mobility scooters are an extremely cost-effective solution toward re-building an individual’s mobility, freedom and independence. Scooters, ranging in price from ,000 for a basic model to ,000 for one that is fully loaded, are much lower in price than electric powered wheelchairs.

Electric wheelchairs:
Advances in electric wheelchairs have all but eliminated the old perception of the “loaner chairs” available at airports, shopping malls and amusement parks and replaced it with a personal mobility option loaded with high tech features and capabilities. These chairs come with four to six wheels, easy maneuverability, and programmable joysticks for ease of navigation.

Built for individuals with greater mobility issues, these electric wheelchairs offer durability, stability, and a wide array of seat movement options including motorized stand, tilt, support, and recline functions which can be tailored to individual needs.
Three major drawbacks of electric wheelchairs are that they don’t fold down, their considerable weight, and their cost. The weight and non-foldable nature of the chairs severely limits their use with standard cars, lifts and light duty trailers. These chairs function much better in customized vans where four point tie-downs make for a much safer and stable ride. Cost-wise, electric power wheelchairs are the most expensive type of personal mobility vehicle with prices for upgraded electric wheelchairs going up to around ,000.
Determining the right personal mobility product comes down to an assessment of needs.

Mobility scooters are work best for people who:

* Do not have upper body mobility issues
* Are using the scooter for relatively brief periods of time
* Will need to transport the scooter in a car

Electric power wheelchairs are probably best suited for those who:
* Need joystick based navigation due to upper body mobility issues
* Need posture support
* Will be in the chair for extended periods of time

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Your Wheelchair Questions Answered

Posted on 02. Oct, 2010 by Pride Go Go Elite Traveller.

Your Wheelchair Questions Answered

If you have ever broken an ankle or leg then you know how important mobility is to a person. Being trapped in one position, unable to venture out to work or to perform routine daily tasks can make a bad situation even worse. A lack of mobility can greatly reduce the quality of life a person has and can make a medical situation worse if they are unable to get around independently.

Wheelchairs may bring to mind the elderly but in reality wheelchairs are a great factor in many people’s lives on a day-to-day basis. You may be unfamiliar with wheelchairs and their necessity and be wondering how you or a loved one will be able to get around.

This article will discuss the differences between wheelchairs as well as what to expect when operating a wheelchair. No one has to be stuck in bed or in a chair stationary any longer. A wheelchair can improve their quality of life and let them get out of the house or hospital.

When was the first wheelchair invented?

The wheelchair has had a long history with mankind. The first foldable wheelchair with steel tubing was invented by Henry Jennings in 1932. Early wheelchairs have been linked back to the Chinese as far back as 525 CE and even have been documented with royalty. King Phillip II of Spain was depicted in a wheeled chair with head, foot and arm rests but it was not self-propelled.

What sizes do wheelchairs come in?

Wheelchair sizes range from those used by children upwards to those chairs that can accommodate plus size adults. Each wheelchair has a maximum weight limit it can support. If the individual weighs more than the recommended weight allowance, a bigger chair will be needed to support his or her girth and weight.

Does insurance cover the cost of a wheelchair?

If the attending physician writes a prescription for a wheelchair, your insurance company will cover the cost or at least a portion of the costs. It must be a medical necessity in order for insurance to pay for the chair. If you do not have insurance you may be able to find a wheelchair in a medical supply outlet or find a used one in good shape. There are also organizations and charity groups that provide wheelchairs for people with limited income.

How do I make my home wheelchair accessible?

You can make your home wheelchair accessible by installing a few items that can help the impaired individual. You must make sure that your door is wide enough to accommodate the width of the chair and wheels. You should also install a ramp leading to your door if there are steps involved.

Hopefully you have a downstairs bathroom; otherwise you will have to install equipment that can allow the person to see to their bathroom needs. If you find that you are not skilled enough to make the changes, you can hire a contractor that specializes in handicap renovations.

My wheelchair is not motorized and the palms of my hands are becoming irritated by the wheels. What can I do?

Manually operating a wheelchair can be very rough on the arms and hands. Most people who use a wheelchair a majority of the time will elect to wear special gloves. The gloves are made of light weight leather, have padding in the palms and are usually missing the finger tips. The absence of the finger tips allows the user the freedom to perform tasks without being forced to remove their gloves.

wheelchair hire & mobility scooter hire bournemouth poole christchurch Maintenance & Cleaning on wheelchairs and scooters ! music Rossini- The Barber of Seville Figaro la le la la
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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Q&A: Can a drunk handicapped person, who is operating an electric wheelchair, be charged with a DUI?

Posted on 01. Oct, 2010 by Pride Go Go Elite Traveller.

Question by sharnajax: Can a drunk handicapped person, who is operating an electric wheelchair, be charged with a DUI?
I know you can get a dui on a bike or skate board, I am just curious. I just happened to see a drunk person opperating an electric wheelchair today. He was all over the place, in the bushes, in the street. I asked him if he wanted help but he said no in a drunken slur. He said his apartment complex was two miles from the bar and he would make it home in his wheelchair. Then he ran in to the curb. I got him up and going again, but he was really weaving.

Best answer:

Answer by lc_firefighter
yes

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can anyone tell me where we can hire a wheelchair in scotland?

Posted on 22. Sep, 2010 by Pride Go Go Elite Traveller.

Question by tich302001: can anyone tell me where we can hire a wheelchair in scotland?
We live in Edinburgh and we are planning our next holiday next year and i would like know of a web address or website where we can hire a wheelchair I tried to look at Kincaid online but I was unable to view their website. Anywhere in Edinburgh or Glasgow would be helpful thanks.
EDIT I am looking to rent a wheelchair or wheelchair for 14 days

Best answer:

Answer by Basement Bob
Here are some sites to view

Wheelchair Hire & Repair

Ability Northants
Action Disability Kensington & Chelsea (ADKC)
Action Mobility Ltd
Aitchee Engineering Associates
AJ Mobility Ltd
All Handling (Movability) Ltd
Bee Jay Mobility Products (Chorley)
Bradfern Ltd
British Healthcare Trades Association
Buckingham Engineering Company
Care Providers – Care & Mobility Products
Chester Mobility Centre
DIAL – Trafford
Direct Mobility Hire (Edmonton)
Disability Resource Centre – Bedfordshire
FMS Mobility Centre Ruislip
GBL Wheelchair Services Ltd
GBL Wheelchair Services Ltd Southern
General Medical
Halton Disability Services (Runcorn)
Hand Partnership, The
Hull Council of Disabled People
Huntleigh Nesbit Evans Sales/Rentals
Mobility Abroad Ltd
Mobility Roadshow, The
Mobility Shop, The
Perthes Association Scotland, The
Queen Elizabeth`s Foundation Mobility Centre
Queen Elizabeth`s Foundation Resource Centre
Red Cross – Medical Loans
Scoot-Around North America
Whitby & District Disablement Action Group
Your Freedom UK plc

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