My condition has gotten worse over time, and I got my first custom wheelchair 6 days ago. There's a feeling of liberation, because of how much easier it is to get around now. I've been really enjoying your videos, and they have helped me understand this new life ahead of me. A big thank you.
Finding the ‘right wheelchair’ is mind blowing, at just how much easier it makes daily living. For years I had a basic issue wheelchair and it unfortunately was more of a burden than a help. It was too big, heavy to lift in and out of the car, took ages to unfold and put together and was actually painful to use. Thankfully when I went to my wheelchair centre to ask for repairs the list was too long. So luckily my centre made sure to make my new chair custom fitted. 🤯🤩 fortunately they had some different models to try and he could see that I had been sitting wrong. I now have a custom active rigid lightweight wheelchair(kuschall), I opted for a more bucket seat position with the low back and the push handles can click out of the way so I didn’t catch my clothes on them anymore. The quick release spinergy wheels with solid tyres and the y shape taper with small fat castors. I opted for custom cushion to stop me slouching when I get tired. You inspired me to get an under chair bag so don’t have to worry aboutmy purse, phone and keys being pinched from the backpack. I can get my chair in and out of the car so easily. I also treated myself to some spare all terrain wheels with wheel bags so I can switch them over and not drag mud and dirt thru my house/car. Bring on the sunny days! Please for anyone struggling in your wheelchair in the uk give your nhs wheelchair centre a call and ask for an appointment to get fitted for a wheelchair and try out some different chairs. Thank you so much for these wheelchair tips videos as it has really helped open my life up again and given more independence. 🤗 love your new 🦽🤗
Hi Blue Diva, I'm so excited to be getting my new motorize ♿ I'm in the US. They said they'd call me on Tuesday to set up a time and date for them to come out. I had the standard chair at first also, but it was sooo hard to get around, especially on carpet and out of doors. Sidewalks were a monster! Having the ability to move around more freely is really exciting! It is people like you and Gem that have helped me push for what I need. If I don't say anything, how will they know. Thanks!
I have a chair that is big and bulky and deters me from going out. It also doesn’t turn easily as I see others doing. Sounds like you have found a great chair! I am hoping to get my adjusted and fixed or exchanged so I can be more independent.
@@nicoleroy9878 Definitely have a look at the different types of wheelchairs out there and if you can get to a wheelchair shop/centre try a few of them out… dont ever feel forced to buy when you go, youre just test driving 😉If youre in the uk give your local nhs disablement service centre/ postural support/ wheelchair dept a call and explain how your current chair isnt working for you, especially around the house or being lifted in and out of the car. Some wheelchairs depts (local councils) may not be able to fully fund your chair but they may offer you a voucher that you can use as part payment towards one you can buy privately that is fitted to you. Also Gem did a post about a website that sells chairs and attachments at a much lower cost like the batec Gem has, so definitely have a look. As @cbryce9243 says if you dont ask or speak up they will think everything is ok, it is frustrating but it is so worth it. Keeping everything crossed that youre able to speak to your med team and they can get you fitted for your new chair soon 🤗
Thank you for the lessons. I have been walking on crutches for 65 years and now it's time for a wheelchair. This is a difficult time and I need to learn from you younger people. I wish you a good life
Gem, thank you for all your videos over the years, it's truly been so helpful, informative and even entertaining too. I found myself needing a wheelchair due to Fibromyalgia a couple of years ago. I turned to your channel for every single thing I had to learn, every single worry or query I had. And I was always able to find the answers here, from pushing tips for my husband to flying with the wheelchair and everything in between. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You truly made a positive difference in my life 🌹❤
Holy smokes I just got mine last year! I’m somehow in the plateau of not needing it but it (fibro) took a break (thanks to extreme stress making my body basically pause and do a hard reset) and now it’s coming back and I’m so thankful I have my chair. It’s a lifesaver when I’m in the kitchen and when I will be going out to longer day trips/vacations/conventions/events. I adore my cane collection. Sorry I got really excited seeing your comment and finding another warrior
@@PortofCuriosityProductions Lol I understand exactly what you mean! Having a wheelchair made a massive difference in my life. And now I have a mobility scooter as well, it's the best thing ever. I wish you luck and better health, take care 🥰
Thanks for this video! I’m a bit late to the party as I just ordered my first lightweight ‘tippy’ chair, so I can relate to the lost sleep!! But here’s hoping it has the same effects as yours!! I can’t wait to get out more and be more active! I’ve also ordered the freewheel to make getting around a bit easier, I hope!
I have the the carbolife curve with the rubber gutter and it is extremely nice in term of grip, specially since they have a small version for people with small hands, which I have and it makes it very hard to use standard-sized push rims, and I wouldn't change it for anything, but yea, I wear gloves constantly and they melt lmao (then again I drive very- um- aggressively) I have a very inclined seat too and I find it super useful and comfortable, it's so easy to stay well sat even taking bumps, easy to store stuff on your lap, it's just very comfy. Your new chair seems super great and I'm so happy you like it!
Thank you for showing us and explaining to us newbies of wheelchairs how much technology, and choices you have. I’m at the beginning stage, where I’ve now realised my disability has got the better of me now, and I can no longer go shopping with my sticks anymore. The pain is just too much for me. May I ask everybody, have any of you had any problems from your partner/spouse when it comes to discussing getting a wheelchair?? We’ve known this would be the scenario for many years, but as the time has come, he comes across as if he’ll be embarrassed to be with me. He keeps trying to stop me from looking into this process, but I want my life back. If it was the other way round I would be supporting him, he even hates me using sticks, and says I should lean on him, but that is no good for me. It’s like I’m an embarrassment. Thank you for your wonderful video
Have you tried asking this question on the subreddit r/wheelchairs? I'm sure there would be many people on there willing to give you advice - there may even be similar posts if you scroll down (though I don't know for certain)
I think you finally inspired me to submit to insurance for my new chair. I'm about 2 years overdue but I just didn't want to go through everything it takes to get one. The stress alone because of how delayed everything always is pre-pandemic now it's going to be even worse. My hips have been in so much pain though so I really think it's time. I would really love my chair to be lighter too.
My new Tilite chair is so much better than the Quickie I first got after my injury. When I was trying to figure out how to navigate with it I couldn't fathom how anyone could just lift a wheelchair like that. I love my chair now. It was really good to hear about the stimulite; I'm glad it's served you well! I'm so glad to hear your chair is working so well for you.
So happy for you! That was a great review! I got a new Omeo wheelchair and it’s so wonderful to feel comfortable in my chair now. I love the core workout it provides. I went on the beach for the first time in 20 years and played chicken with the waves.
Looks like you got something better that works for you. As to the rims, I have plain round metal rings. They originally came coated with a hard rubber but twice, I destroyed them in about a month. I use my rims as guides and slides to go through doors and other things. And yes, they look like it also. I live in a hot part of calif and find the rims hot at times but not to the point of being unusable, the cool down quickly. Same when it gets cold. I rarely use gloves, they just dont help much, no feel. My cushion is slightly slanted towards the back and it would freak me out if I lost seating height. So that is something I would not do. My chair is a rigid one sombasically no looseness. The best thing I ever did to my chair that made an amazing differance was to install spinergy wheels. What a differance made my chair go from a std car to a sports car. I know you won't like the idea but I have been carrying a pair of bbq tongs on the back that I can easily reach and use for reaching things just out of reach or that drop on the ground. Anyway, enjoy the new chair and I'm waiting for you to go down the path or sidewalk with one wheel off the ground now.
The more rigid the chair is, the better maneuverability it generally has and better comfort as you go around. Even just such a thing as foldable footrests makes the structural integrity different in the chair. I had foldable footrests on a rigid frame chair when I got my first custom chair and the footrests felt like rabid bats under my feet so it was quickly changed to solid footrest which was better but then went to reinforced solid footrests as I got a FreeWheel and I just haven’t looked back! Reinforced footrest is my jam! I’ll always have reinforced footrest on my chair now with or without having a FreeWheel because that extra rigidity up front in the chair is just gold! My first chair was a Panthera S2, followed by a U2 which is tapered, and now since 2018 I have a U3 which is the newer generation of U2 with better upholstery and a bit lower weight. Also aaaaaaah my OCD! Your wheels! I don’t know about you, but I have to have my Marathon Plus wheels so that the narrow part of the pattern points forward. And it actually does also affect the feel when pushing as the threading is made to be with the narrow point being forward. It’s just a minor detail but omg it gets me every time lol And having a seat dump really makes a world of difference! I don’t have it by structure in my U3 as it doesn’t have that option, but to have a dump we’ve loosened the Velcro straps under the seat to create that angle. If I had needed more, I’d probably have had to try Quickie Helium or a Küschall chair instead, and the latter isn’t very easy to get in my part of Sweden as it’s outside of the standard assortment of active chairs (you can get one, but it’s just a lot of extra paper work and stuff) that my region has deals on. Panthera is by far the most common chair in Sweden and luckily they’re awesome, only they don’t fit everyone if having very specific seating needs. Also to trick my body a bit with the dump, I have the StimuLite Contoured XS cushion in my chair and it has the hollowed out bum pit so the cushion too makes my bum sit lower than my knees, along with having loosened the Velcro under the seat some, the combination of both probably makes me sit at about the same angle as you do and it really does help a lot
Looks like a great chair. A comment on your handrim color choice. Black handrims show scratches more easily. Combined with black tires, black wheels (rims, spokes, hubs) and black upholstery the chair all but disappears at night. Especially if you are wearing dark clothing. Makes you stealthy but also more likely to get hit in a car park. I thought it would be really cool but...
That's why I put lights on my blue and black chair if there's a good chance that I'll be out at sunset or later - originally, I just got some string style bike wheel lights (my rear wheels are spoke wheels, so the attach the same way as they would on a bike, and they stay on the chair all the time - they're barely visible when they're not on, so a lot of people don't even notice them until I turn them on), and while those help, I still put a white light on the front (I only have one white light right now, so I put it on the side of me that's closer to traffic - there are places where I live that don't have sidewalks and/or curb cuts but are supposed to (they're currently working on getting that changed), so I'm often in the road, especially at night where cracks/bumps in the sidewalk are almost impossible to see because there are basically no streetlights) and a red light on the back so that cars can see me: lets cars see me from all sides (especially because I wheel on the same side that I would walk - facing oncoming traffic). It also helps me see the ground in places where there's no streetlights, and I get a ton of positive comments on the lights from other people - my usual response is something like "[thanks/yep], kinda necessary at this hour", which does double duty of both thanking them for the compliment, as well as bringing attention to the fact that it's hard for cars to see moving objects at night unless the object has lights or the car's headlights shine directly on it (I've almost hit people on bikes while driving both just after sunset and at night because I couldn't see them until it was almost too late because there were no lights on the bike, even though it's required by law here to have lights on them if being ridden after sunset) - as far as I know, there's no law or ordinance where I live saying that wheelchairs have to have lights on them after sunset, but I figure that if it's required by law for bikes, then, even though not required, it would probably be a good idea for me to do it with my chair as well, since, at night, someone in a chair is often even harder to see than someone on a bike. Currently looking to get better red and white lights, because the headlamps I've been using (one has a really bright red setting, the other has a really bright white) aren't the easiest to deal with - they're annoying to take on and off every time (if I leave them on the chair, the straps would get wrecked from being stretched out so much), and I can't get the white to be at the right angle for me to see the ground well on less familiar streets/sidewalks (the main reason I don't take sidewalks at night unless they're really well lit). Hence my looking for something that will strap securely onto any size tubing and stay put at the exact angle I need.
So happy that it is all you wanted. Just one note in the shot of your pushrims you have the wheels on the wrong side. The tire profile the arrows need to point forward. Yours did point backward. That makes pushing even easier
i've been binging your wheelchair fitting series lately as i'm FINALLY going to get a better fitting chair! I'm in Sweden and I was given a basic Etac Cross 6 chair as my first one. It's a clunky military tank of a chair meant more for being carer driven rather than me driving it myself. It was this big and heavy foldable wheelchair with the footplates super far out, with permanently mounted handlebars i can't fold down, with armrests WELDED TO the sideguards. It simply was not meant for a semi-active ambulatory user like myself. It's over 15kgs, and living in a hilly city I simply CAN'T use it outdoors! It led to me actively deciding against using it even on days where I'd need it. The OT who prescribed it to me was also super against me having a wheelchair, tried making me choose a roller or a walking frame instead, despite her already knowing all the issues I have with putting weight on my wrists, and once she finally agreed on the chair, she was super dismissive of my concerns and went "This is the ONLY chair we can get you. We need to save the good chairs for the people who ACTUALLY can't walk." and then had the audacity to laugh as if it was funny! I just felt horribly embarrassed about my needs. Over a year with this mess of a chair, trying to make it work with weight loss and building muscle to use it easier, and it just didn't work. So I've finally managed to get another OT to listen to my worries and she'll get me in for a fitting appointment for an active chair AND possibly some add-ons if needed. After a bunch of research I'm really hoping for a Panthera U3 chair, hopefully with a SmartDrive to help me with the steep hills in my city!
I love this for you! I have a TiLite Aero Z which is my first custom wheelchair. It only has like an inch of dump and I want to explore more dump to make it possible to carry things at work, groceries but I worry that it might be bad for my core or back. I would like my feet more underneath me to be more compact. I naturally find it more comfortable to tuck my feet behind the footrest when at rest now. I would like a slightly tapered leg rest/front frame to be more compact. I want to get the Yamaha Navione power assist - for sidewalk slope, help uphill and speed control downhill, help with uneven arm strength in left vs right. I want to try for a titanium frame and suspension casters and forks to help with vibration control. I don't use my armrests so next time, I just wouldn't get them. I would like a slightly lower back for better range of motion, ease of turning to get bags off the back. I would like Spinergy LX wheels to help with vibration. I would like the center of gravity adjusted to be capable of wheelies while still stable. I would like a second pair of tires out of pocket for hiking/off-road.
Ik love your videos, and being myzelf a wheelchair user for quite some time i wonder why you never tried wheelchairs with suspension or wheels with suspension. I got Loopwheels on my chair and the frontwheels are fitted with froglegs. This helps a lot when i'm on the streets and sidewalks here in The Netherlands. Also when i'm off road with my Batex Hibrid (that is going to be replaced with a Batec Electric) i have almost no problem with bumps and treeroots on my way.
Enjoyed you're video. I use a mobility scooter myself. It was nice to see you challenging the woods. My health problems limit me as far as walking long distances and I also have breathing problems. I do have an e bike. I purchased a bike alarm and it can also be used for a horn. Every time I have used it I've scared the people I was trying to warn. Dirty looks galore. I purchased a regular bike bell and installed it on my scooter and bought another one for my bike. The ding that bell makes seems a lot more friendlier than an electronic noise. Good luck in the future. K
I bottomed out in my first Stimulite, and my second one was so hard that my sitting tolerance was less than one minute, so I ended up getting a ROHO quadtro, which (contrary to what my ATP thought) gave me the exact amount of stability that I needed while still being soft enough to be comfortable. Glad you found something that worked for you.
I am a new wheelchair user and very disappointed that I wasn’t given options. I was told it would be foldable, light weight and I could put it in the passenger’s seat or back seat easily. I have had my chair for about two months and I am struggling. Frame portion that I have to lift over myself weighs 25lbs (we weighed it). The foot plates and bulky and I have to constantly move them or remove them to get around in my home. I feel very limited because I struggle with this chair. I have learned so much from these videos and have made notes to help me in discussing what I need adjusted with the seating service that fitted and ordered this one! THANK YOU!!❤
Bet you live in the US, amirite? We only get choices in the US when we pay out-of-pocket. Vote for Democrats who will get us universal health care if you want the stuff British disabled people have. If you don't, don't complain.
Looks like your new chair is great for you. You have such good posture. I can control my back and stomach and have tried various seat backs but I am always sliding forward and slumping.
I love my chair's dump and center of gravity. It's so easy to maneuver and do wheelies. The dump makes my knees slightly higher than my hips, so it's easy to carry things without them sliding off my lap. I also love my Frog Legs caster forks. The suspension makes the ride so much smoother, especially on bumpy surfaces like cobblestone. The only things I'm changing on my next chair are the footplate, the wheels, and the handrims. I need my footplate to be about an inch further away because my feet keep sliding forward. I also want to switch from 24" wheels to 25" wheels after trying out a pair once. I found the larger wheels took less effort to push. And last, I want to get Surge handrims (which have a rubber strip on top) instead of the standard Natural Fit rims that I currently have because I'm having issues with my hands slipping off as I push!
Well I’ve decided to keep my current wheelchair but make changes, I’m getting a Jay 3 back so it supports my back better, getting a roho seat cushion and new casters also new clothing guard and bumper guards as well. I love my TiLite wheelchair and there isn’t anything wrong with it except the back. I like your new wheelchair it’s pretty sweet, I also liked your motion composite. I had a motion composite but I lost so much weight that it didn’t fit me anymore so in a way it was unusable for me still in excellent condition.
I am doing something similar with my TiLite chair. What was wrong with your back and what type of back are you going with. The back and seat cushion are my Achilles heels on this chair. Getting new front casters next week. :)
@@DrunkChristmasSkunk oh my back is just a plain cloth one and it’s not very supportive. I’m changing over to the Jay X3 back because it has the supportive capabilities I need. I have a video up in my channel if you’d like to see it. It’s ultra Violet and white.
@@wendydowker3346 Hi Wendy, it was a disappointing appointment because they tried to give me a cheap heavy wheelchair, but I had already bought a better one off ebay second hand! They asked what was wrong with the one I bought, I said it still isn't the right fit/ width and I need better back support, and my husband has hurt his back lifting it into the car because it is heavy like yours. Eventually (seemingly begrudgingly) she said she was just the "general" wheelchair services, but she could refer me to specialist wheelchair services to see a "rehab technician", but it would be a very long wait. She said they have more scope to order better fitting and lighter wheelchairs. So I asked for the referral. I'm hoping whenever that appointment is that I either get offered a good wheelchair that will fit me and what I need, or offered an NHS voucher to help me pay for buying one privately. The NHS or Gov website says we should be given the choice of both. I was pretty shocked that the first appointment was just for them to try to push a cheap wheelchair on me. I hope this helps! Is your second appointment with general wheelchair services again or specialist? What area do you live in? I'm in the North East (Stockton-on-Tees).
@@aimee_mh Hi Amy, I am not sure but it is not with the person I had with this first wheelchair assessment. I go to the hospital to see them but still waiting to get the appt .with them. It looks like the one I got at first was same as yours and very heavy it is a manual one about 19KGS . Thank you for your reply please let me know how you get on and I will do the same. Regards Wendy
Glad to see everything worked out with your wheelchair. I'm off to wheelchair services next week to try out the quickie argon 2 and a kushall, o hopefully will be able to get one that will suit my needs
Right now we are doing a trial run with a standard manual. Weird thing I love is the split footplate jutting out, which is a great place for a shopping basket. Thing I absolutely hate is bc it is a standard manual chair it is impossible to do wheelies. Seriously I can get over cracks and that is about it
I have the Natural Fit pushrims that are similar to Gem's. They are the elongated oval design instead of the standard round tubes. I love them but there is one issue I've found. I have the black anodized version of that brand. I'm so asking for the uncolored option next time. At least on the brand I have the black scratches off so easily and makes the chair look beat up. Without the color scraping off they would look nice so much longer.
This may seem a silly question but I struggle to walk that well & when I go to a big shopping centre I borrow a manual wheelchair from a wheelchair loan shop! But I am a full time catheter user so unless I strap a big pee bag to my leg there seems nowhere underneath to store a higher capacity urine bag! So I end up at the end of shopping with a massive bulge on my leg! It's silly things like that I worry about as I have no bladder control! 💗
Hello everyone I just found you again on my new phone and I wanted to say Merry Christmas and happy New Year cuz I wasn't able to I was in the hospital and I am doing better now after a long illness and so I would like to wish again everybody and your home a happy New Year and wish you many blessings!
For me, as I have a neurological condition I need high back and head support, also arm support. My privately funded Cyclone wheelchair is awesomely comfortable but I'm still looking for someone to modify the armrests. Cyclone won't and NHS won't advise as privately funded. Really wish Cyclone had told me about those Eagle thumb brakes as I've always struggled with the traditional ones. The complete relief of having a wheelchair that supports me makes a huge difference to my spoons! Plus it's easier to move around in or be propelled when too weak. The Batec is pretty meh in hilly areas like I live in though. Really disappointed and revert to my mobility scooter in situations where I had thought the Batec would have been better
I came over to have a look (I asked you about your wheels on tiktok) as I'm in the process of new chair buying and I was speaking to cyclone mobility and they'd said the gtm or the aria (the one where the frame is 3.9kg for one and something like 4kg for the other, I can't remember exactly which is which as I've not looked at those brands yet) but so far the first thing that you've made me aware of is the dump bit! I did wonder what the actual name for it is. I've lost 7st so my argon 2 (wcs issue) is too big and I need a smaller chair, but also a shoulder injury is forcing the lightweight issue. The spinergy LX wheels are the ones I was looking at and I'd not heard of the lxl so thanks for that too. I'm gonna go watch all the stuff on your new chair because I really need the help and advice from someone who knows, not someone who is able bodied trying to tell me what's best (my local wheelchair shop) for me. So thank you in advance!!!!
Hi Gemma - have you ever used fingerless gloves? - I use mine as brakes when going down hill to prevent hand chaff. I've tried a couple of pairs now and am currently using leather ones - but will switch back to non leather ones as they (leather ones) slip in the wet.
I have only had my current chair for about a year, but I want to get welded side guards with a non folding backrest. I can get my chair in the car by myself with the backrest up now, the side guards are a little floppy and I don’t like it. Full welded H bar and side guards are my next thing
I like my TiLite Aero Z - it's a huge step up from the Ki Mobility Catalyst 5 and Drive Medical Cruiser X4 that I had been using. The things I needed the most were: -seat depth and seat-to-footrest height that actually fit me (my legs are really short, so a custom was my only option for getting those measurements correct without major modification, because my seat width is just barely too big for a pediatric chair) -lower backrest height (we had to cut off the bottom of the backrest/push handle tubing on both the catalyst and cruiser so that the push handles wouldn't get in the way of my arms when wheeling) -movable center of gravity (I know the Catalyst has one, but I didn't get it until after my assessment, and didn't use it enough to take the time to actually adjust the COG; needed to be able to go down hills in a wheelie and go down curbs facing forward) -smaller overall front-to-back length (there were times where I didn't fit in a presumably (though not marked as such, but the ones that were actually accessible weren't marked as such, either) accessible restroom because my chair was too long front to back to let the door close all the way because there were other things in the way that kept me from being able to turn enough for the door to close) -significantly lighter weight (there were several times where it took me 2 or 3 tries to lift my chair into the back of the car because it was so heavy and I was really tired, and some of those times, it almost fell back out on me because it wasn't all the way in on the first try - no, there wasn't anyone else who could do it for me) Things it has that I simply wanted (but not necessarily needed): -pull-to-lock brakes (I'd keep hitting the brake handles on previous chairs when wheeling uphill because I'd grab both the tire and the handrim, which would partially engage the brakes if I hit them because they were push-to-lock, and sometimes even put the brakes all the way on, which was super annoying) -luggage forks (to hold my suitcase when going through the airport - used to have to attach it to my backpack that would hang on the back, and with the suitcase having non-spinner wheels, that made tight turns almost impossible) -armrests (my arms get very tired if I don't have somewhere to rest my elbows when I'm being pushed or sitting still for long periods of time) -fold-down side guards (I usually fly at least once a year, and fold-down were going to be the most durable for that because I got a backrest that locks when folded) -impact guards (both for flying and because my legs sit against the frame) Other accessories I have on it that weren't part of the chair-ordering process: -Ki Mobility seat pouch (came on the Catalyst that I inherited from my grandma when she died) - gives me a place to carry little things, like a tiny tool kit, library card, phone (flip phone - only a tiny smartphone would fit), cough drops, etc. -Advantage Bag Down Under shelf (got mine from Sportaid b/c it was less expensive than getting it directly from Advantage Bag) - allows me to carry things that won't fit in the little seat pouch, like extra layers (that was the main reason for me getting it), small groceries, books, my medical binder (for appointments - it fits perfectly), wallet, etc. -Guzzie + Guss cupholder (got it on Amazon) - fits securely on most sizes of circular tubing, and fits some shapes of non-circular tubing, like oblong (not sure about tubing that has sharper corners, like square or rectangular - it might, but I don't know); it also can be adjusted to 16 different angles (360° total), and it locks into place in whatever angle you choose, so it won't move; I remember when I first got my chair, I didn't have a cupholder for it yet, and from Day 1 I found myself already trying to put my drink where my cupholder now sits, even though there wasn't a cupholder there at the time and I had never had one there before -helicopter tape (the one I got is ISC Racer's Tape, 2" x 30', on Amazon) - I followed Paralyzed Living's more recent video for applying it as scratch protection for the front of the frame, which finally allowed me to show off the front of my frame without worrying about it getting scratched up by the rusted underside of my truck when doing things on the passenger side with the door open (only one caster arm had been visible before, because the impact guards, cupholder, and luggage forks (all black) covered the rest of it), because I love my frame color (ocean blue metallic) and wanted other people to be able to see it, too, but I didn't want it getting scratched -Reha Design Ultra Grrrip pushrim covers - from the very beginning, I knew I was going to need these, because my hands are so wide that I can't effectively grip standard diameter pushrims with gloves on (for various reasons, I can't forego gloves when wheeling, except at home), and they not only make the pushrims wide enough for my hands, but add a ton of extra grip Things I need on my next chair: -shorter seat depth and tighter front angle (when I finally got the amount of dump I needed, that adjustment put my calves further back but my feet further out in front of me - I had to fold the front bit of seat sling and tuck it under because it was digging into the back of my calves, and the balls of my feet tend to rest on the very back of the footrest) -bigger dump to start (to allow for a tighter front angle without sticking my feet way out in front of me) -a ZRA (titanium) instead of an Aero Z (aluminum) (even with an Aero Z being as lightweight as it is, it's still too heavy for me to manage when I'm really tired, even with both rear wheels taken off - the weight difference will be worth it for me) -possibly an ergo seat (so the flat part at the back of the seat, which is different from the "dump"/"bucket") -a section on the push handle cane that's wide enough for an attachment point for a service dog leash (my current push handles don't have a spot wide enough for it) - I'd just attach the leash to the front of the frame, but then it wouldn't allow the dog to get all the way behind me when going through a very narrow spot; might require me to get a different kind of push handle, even though I much prefer the kind I have right now, which fold down when not in use (a really easy way for me to make it clear to people that I don't need or want them pushing me, but I can still hook things over them securely)
Great Gem! So happy for you. The depth of your bucket seat has a depth of compared to the front height? Looks to be about 5cm or so. Or maybe the slope angle is the measurement?
I really do like the wheelchair you're using now not really able to need a wheelchair that I want one that is red and black with a seatbelt and a smart wheel on the back.
I spent 6 grand on a gtm wheelchair and it's not right. I was given bad advice regarding shape and angle of the seat which makes me feel unbalanced and unsafe. It was a compromise because I couldn't afford my first choice. I'm now about to spend even more money on the chair I should have bought in the first place
I’m having some health issues with my joints, but we had a family trip planned for New York City. This ruclips.net/user/postUgkxuxJwamLFanm476LC5WPeTouyyU1GXomC was perfect! It’s lightweight enough that my friend could carry it up or down stairs when we needed to. (I can walk very short distances) It was comfortable for me to sit in, I would say if you’re super tall it might be a little cramped. I’m 5’1” and the foot rests were the perfect height. This may not be the best one for long term use, you get what you pay for, but for something that fits our budget that gives me accessibility while we deal with my health this was amazing.
How did you guys decide on the proper width of the chair? I feel like mine is too wide. I want it as narrow as possible but don’t want to feel squeezed. It’s hard to tell where the side guards will sit and touch as well.
Hi Gem...Im just about to get a Motion Composites Veloce.I wont be sitting in it and using it for extended periods,but after watching your video Im wondering if it will be right for me?Ill be mainly using it around the house and the occasional trip where I will be loading it(by myself) in my car.I have had it fitted by an O/T who specialises in wheelchairs so Im hoping it works out ok.Any thoughts ??
I would be worried about tipping with no tip wheels? But I don’t know how people who are paralyzed don’t tip over. I have cp and I’m always worried about tipping over.
i have a maunuak nhs wheelchir that was really usfull before my sugry becuse i was never leaaving the house by my self but it doesnt meet my needs anymore becuse im basiclly completly independant but i would love an eletric one at the moment i hav e a moblity scooter and sticks
I’m a part time user as I can walk, but I can’t walk very far or for very long. Had two knee replacements. The first one came loose and surgeon refused to X-ray or even check the device. It was loose and when I finally got a second opinion the damage to my bone was bad. They did a full revision and even a year later I still have quite a lot of pain. I use a folding powered wheelchair for mostly indoor use or when I’m mostly on flat, paved surfaces. I use a mobility scooter for going to parks and to walk my dogs. I’m traveling for the first time with my chair next week when I go to California. Sometimes I feel embarrassed to use it and I don’t and then regret it. Most of the time people are very nice and help. I like your videos and they have helped. I hope at some point I will be able to go back to walking but I am grateful that we had the financial means to purchase the scooter and chair with FSA funds here in the US. The chair is fairly light for a power chair and I can lift it myself.
Ahhh welcome. Thanks for subscribing. I have an wheelchair electric ad on, called a batec ruclips.net/video/A3LmmkU2MYU/видео.html And I’m hoping to try an electric chair soon 🤫
I am a power wheelchair user, want would I change, well yes but I do not know, this my 2nd 1 of the same, model (newer a version, but the same) it sound odd to a mnual wheelchair user but the chair is too light, at 160Kg my the older version was a 175Kg do the CoG was lower. and there is something wrong with the seat Seating servers are coming out in a few days the next option, by feet, are OK ankle are OK knee are OK, hips are play up, now they sorted my back. as you know they change something and ask is that OK, you do not know give me a month for everything to bed in and my body moved to fit it, then I will tell you.
Would your friend be going to your house at any point? If so, Travel Tips By Laurie has a pretty good video on various ways to make a house accessible (or at least more accessible than it was) temporarily, and there are more tips in the comments on that video. I personally haven't seen another video as good as hers on the subject, but I haven't really gone looking. I'm sure others will comment here with their tips, since I don't have a whole lot to offer beyond what's in Laurie's video and the comments section on it.
I like your legs arnzt too far back under the seat, that isn't so good for veins and arteries. You seem proud. If you feel well, after a long and stressful day it's great! Then it's the best chair for you. More I can't say because it's you who has the last word. I love your smile!
She uses her Batec for that. For more info on that, check out the videos she made about her Batec - one of them was about using it to go for a bike ride with her family.
@@aimee_mh Personally, in my 3 years of using a folding one then another year and a half of using a rigid, not that I can think of. Folding small enough to fit into the wheelchair closet on a plane is technically "able to fold smaller for transport", but even some rigid chairs can break down small enough for that (mine's just a few inches to big, but it breaks down small enough to fit in the back of a prius without having to have the backseat folded down), so nope, not that I've come across yet. Other people might have other thoughts on it, but that's what I've personally found to be true for me.
@@SnowySpiritRuby That's really helpful, thank you. I would like the sturdiness, and no creaking / movement, of a rigid chair. I last went on a plane in 2016 so I don't go on planes very often! I'm waiting for my NHS wheelchair assessment soon, just using a cheaper folding one for now.
@@aimee_mh You're welcome. Have you checked out Gem's other videos on tips for choosing a wheelchair? There's the one from this little series, and there's at least one other one (I want to say there are at least two more from a long while ago, but I can't remember for sure).
I took a taxi to my mobility company looking for a self propelled wheelchair as backup. So not suited to me. Self propelled chairs are not chairs you can slide into from the side. Sometimes the arms can swivel up or can be completely removed but the top of the wheels will be in the way; the self propelled chair is more suited to those people who can use their legs (functional or not) to aid their transfer. They make electric wheels for self propelled chairs. These wheels are very heavy and very expensive. They can get wet if you are out in the rain and each wheel will need to be charged overnight.
I'm getting assessed for my first NHS wheelchair soon, and I don't know if they'll recommend a self propel or a powered wheelchair. I'm currently using a cheaper self propel wheelchair I bought temporarily. I'm fine to push myself short distances on smooth surfaces (around my kitchen, moving in an aisle in a shop), but my arms can't propel me for long distances, my husband pushes me. I don't think this will improve because, whilst my arms are great compared to my legs, I do have a little arm weakness and my upper arms get stiff and painful. But I'm worried about getting a powered wheelchair because I'm guessing it'll be even bigger and harder to manoevre around my house (soon moving to a bungalow) and we don't have a wav. I'm worried about running out of charge too. Do you have any advice for me?
@@aimee_mh I live in Hampshire and I bought my powerlchair privately. It was very expensive (and I am so grateful to all who made this possible). The people who work for this company are engineers who can do wonderful things by way of modifying chairs. I cannot give you any advice regarding the NHS but it can do no harm to chat with this company. They are called Gallagher Mobility Aids LTD. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best.
The extremely heavy power wheels issue is exactly why I went with a SmartDrive over any other option (Twion, E-Fix, eMotion, Smoov, ZX1, Servo) - easy to attach and detach, small enough to easily stow, waterproof, and only weighs 12.5 lbs (which I know sounds like a lot, but it's well balanced when carrying it by the handle, and it can be carried with 2 hands if needed; and, personally, I find that its weight is barely noticeable when attached to the chair but not engaged). The Smoov is the next closest thing to the SmartDrive (it's basically Alber's version of a SmartDrive), but it weighs in at 15 lbs and didn't seem to me to be quite as easy to stow (because of its shape) or attach/detach. For charging, I've found that, depending on how much I use it, my SmartDrive (and pushtracker) can go a couple days without charging, which has come in handy more than a few times.
@@SnowySpiritRuby Wow those look great thank you! I didn't know rear mounted power assist existed. I think Gem's Batec looks great, but I was worried shops might not let me in with it and it might make me too long for smaller spaces (eg. going into a room at the doctors). The Smartdrive looks so cool, I'll definitely be looking into that more, along with the Twion and Emotion. I think I've seen power assisted wheels somewhere before but I assumed they had a small battery and wouldn't be enough for me. I'm looking to be able to go to the local town centre (20 mins walk / just over a mile away), go around a couple of shops, maybe go to a doctors appointment and get back home without needing to push. Do you think the Smartdrive would have plenty of battery for that? It's amazing the options that are out there. Also 12.5lbs, that's so light!
@@aimee_mh Using it at 100% speed (about 5.5mph), my SmartDrive can generally get anywhere from 6.5-8 miles on a single charge, depending on the terrain (hills are going to take more than flat, non-pavement will take more than pavement, and I've found that it actually handles grass and gravel fairly well with a little help from me). I can get even more if using it at a slower speed. The only issues I've ever had with it were related to the pushtracker, not the SmartDrive itself (though they may have been partly due to the fact that I don't have a smartphone and so can't update the software on my own). Chronically Jaquie has some good videos on Twions (what she got originally - not sure whether the app is available in the U.S. yet or not, but it wasn't when she got them (she was in Florida at the time)) and SmartDrive (what she ended up switching to for her particular situation), so I suggest checking those out as well - they're both in her "Custom Wheelchair" playlist. Roll With Cole and Charisma has a video all about his wheelchair, and I think (can't remember for sure because it's been a while since I've watched it, but I think) it goes over the wheels he has on his (if I remember correctly, they're eMotion). Power assist wheels actually have a pretty big battery (at least all the ones I've seen pictures of do), and that contributes significantly to their weight, so there is a tradeoff that needs to be considered if weight can be an issue (some of Jaquie's videos go into more detail on this). Hope that helps.
I don’t think people realise just how vital it is to get a properly fitted and suitable wheelchair. It truly changes your life.
100%
My first wheelchair. I got fitted but+my mom hated it. It was to complicated to take apart but I do agree with you
My condition has gotten worse over time, and I got my first custom wheelchair 6 days ago. There's a feeling of liberation, because of how much easier it is to get around now. I've been really enjoying your videos, and they have helped me understand this new life ahead of me. A big thank you.
Finding the ‘right wheelchair’ is mind blowing, at just how much easier it makes daily living. For years I had a basic issue wheelchair and it unfortunately was more of a burden than a help. It was too big, heavy to lift in and out of the car, took ages to unfold and put together and was actually painful to use. Thankfully when I went to my wheelchair centre to ask for repairs the list was too long. So luckily my centre made sure to make my new chair custom fitted. 🤯🤩 fortunately they had some different models to try and he could see that I had been sitting wrong. I now have a custom active rigid lightweight wheelchair(kuschall), I opted for a more bucket seat position with the low back and the push handles can click out of the way so I didn’t catch my clothes on them anymore. The quick release spinergy wheels with solid tyres and the y shape taper with small fat castors. I opted for custom cushion to stop me slouching when I get tired. You inspired me to get an under chair bag so don’t have to worry aboutmy purse, phone and keys being pinched from the backpack. I can get my chair in and out of the car so easily. I also treated myself to some spare all terrain wheels with wheel bags so I can switch them over and not drag mud and dirt thru my house/car. Bring on the sunny days! Please for anyone struggling in your wheelchair in the uk give your nhs wheelchair centre a call and ask for an appointment to get fitted for a wheelchair and try out some different chairs. Thank you so much for these wheelchair tips videos as it has really helped open my life up again and given more independence. 🤗 love your new 🦽🤗
Hi Blue Diva,
I'm so excited to be getting my new motorize ♿ I'm in the US. They said they'd call me on Tuesday to set up a time and date for them to come out. I had the standard chair at first also, but it was sooo hard to get around, especially on carpet and out of doors. Sidewalks were a monster! Having the ability to move around more freely is really exciting!
It is people like you and Gem that have helped me push for what I need. If I don't say anything, how will they know. Thanks!
I have a chair that is big and bulky and deters me from going out. It also doesn’t turn easily as I see others doing. Sounds like you have found a great chair! I am hoping to get my adjusted and fixed or exchanged so I can be more independent.
@@nicoleroy9878 Definitely have a look at the different types of wheelchairs out there and if you can get to a wheelchair shop/centre try a few of them out… dont ever feel forced to buy when you go, youre just test driving 😉If youre in the uk give your local nhs disablement service centre/ postural support/ wheelchair dept a call and explain how your current chair isnt working for you, especially around the house or being lifted in and out of the car. Some wheelchairs depts (local councils) may not be able to fully fund your chair but they may offer you a voucher that you can use as part payment towards one you can buy privately that is fitted to you. Also Gem did a post about a website that sells chairs and attachments at a much lower cost like the batec Gem has, so definitely have a look. As @cbryce9243 says if you dont ask or speak up they will think everything is ok, it is frustrating but it is so worth it. Keeping everything crossed that youre able to speak to your med team and they can get you fitted for your new chair soon 🤗
Currently having the same issue with the list of repairs. I’m glad you found the right chair!
Thank you for the lessons. I have been walking on crutches for 65 years and now it's time for a wheelchair. This is a difficult time and I need to learn from you younger people. I wish you a good life
Gem, thank you for all your videos over the years, it's truly been so helpful, informative and even entertaining too. I found myself needing a wheelchair due to Fibromyalgia a couple of years ago. I turned to your channel for every single thing I had to learn, every single worry or query I had. And I was always able to find the answers here, from pushing tips for my husband to flying with the wheelchair and everything in between. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You truly made a positive difference in my life 🌹❤
Holy smokes I just got mine last year! I’m somehow in the plateau of not needing it but it (fibro) took a break (thanks to extreme stress making my body basically pause and do a hard reset) and now it’s coming back and I’m so thankful I have my chair. It’s a lifesaver when I’m in the kitchen and when I will be going out to longer day trips/vacations/conventions/events. I adore my cane collection. Sorry I got really excited seeing your comment and finding another warrior
@@PortofCuriosityProductions Lol I understand exactly what you mean! Having a wheelchair made a massive difference in my life. And now I have a mobility scooter as well, it's the best thing ever. I wish you luck and better health, take care 🥰
OMG stop. Im actually welling up. Thank you so much for saying. It means a lot to hear my content has helped you. xx
@@Wheelsnoheels It really has, thanks so much! ❤
Thanks for this video! I’m a bit late to the party as I just ordered my first lightweight ‘tippy’ chair, so I can relate to the lost sleep!! But here’s hoping it has the same effects as yours!! I can’t wait to get out more and be more active! I’ve also ordered the freewheel to make getting around a bit easier, I hope!
I have the the carbolife curve with the rubber gutter and it is extremely nice in term of grip, specially since they have a small version for people with small hands, which I have and it makes it very hard to use standard-sized push rims, and I wouldn't change it for anything, but yea, I wear gloves constantly and they melt lmao (then again I drive very- um- aggressively)
I have a very inclined seat too and I find it super useful and comfortable, it's so easy to stay well sat even taking bumps, easy to store stuff on your lap, it's just very comfy.
Your new chair seems super great and I'm so happy you like it!
Thank you for showing us and explaining to us newbies of wheelchairs how much technology, and choices you have. I’m at the beginning stage, where I’ve now realised my disability has got the better of me now, and I can no longer go shopping with my sticks anymore. The pain is just too much for me. May I ask everybody, have any of you had any problems from your partner/spouse when it comes to discussing getting a wheelchair?? We’ve known this would be the scenario for many years, but as the time has come, he comes across as if he’ll be embarrassed to be with me. He keeps trying to stop me from looking into this process, but I want my life back. If it was the other way round I would be supporting him, he even hates me using sticks, and says I should lean on him, but that is no good for me. It’s like I’m an embarrassment. Thank you for your wonderful video
Have you tried asking this question on the subreddit r/wheelchairs? I'm sure there would be many people on there willing to give you advice - there may even be similar posts if you scroll down (though I don't know for certain)
I think you finally inspired me to submit to insurance for my new chair. I'm about 2 years overdue but I just didn't want to go through everything it takes to get one. The stress alone because of how delayed everything always is pre-pandemic now it's going to be even worse. My hips have been in so much pain though so I really think it's time. I would really love my chair to be lighter too.
My new Tilite chair is so much better than the Quickie I first got after my injury. When I was trying to figure out how to navigate with it I couldn't fathom how anyone could just lift a wheelchair like that. I love my chair now.
It was really good to hear about the stimulite; I'm glad it's served you well! I'm so glad to hear your chair is working so well for you.
So happy for you! That was a great review! I got a new Omeo wheelchair and it’s so wonderful to feel comfortable in my chair now. I love the core workout it provides. I went on the beach for the first time in 20 years and played chicken with the waves.
even your body fits in it more precisely - i love seeing a well fitted chair! im sure you feel more alive and free :)
Looks like you got something better that works for you. As to the rims, I have plain round metal rings. They originally came coated with a hard rubber but twice, I destroyed them in about a month. I use my rims as guides and slides to go through doors and other things. And yes, they look like it also. I live in a hot part of calif and find the rims hot at times but not to the point of being unusable, the cool down quickly. Same when it gets cold. I rarely use gloves, they just dont help much, no feel. My cushion is slightly slanted towards the back and it would freak me out if I lost seating height. So that is something I would not do. My chair is a rigid one sombasically no looseness. The best thing I ever did to my chair that made an amazing differance was to install spinergy wheels. What a differance made my chair go from a std car to a sports car. I know you won't like the idea but I have been carrying a pair of bbq tongs on the back that I can easily reach and use for reaching things just out of reach or that drop on the ground. Anyway, enjoy the new chair and I'm waiting for you to go down the path or sidewalk with one wheel off the ground now.
I’m so glad to hear it’s a great fit and match for you! Hearing it’s saving spoons and giving you energy just makes me so happy!
The more rigid the chair is, the better maneuverability it generally has and better comfort as you go around. Even just such a thing as foldable footrests makes the structural integrity different in the chair. I had foldable footrests on a rigid frame chair when I got my first custom chair and the footrests felt like rabid bats under my feet so it was quickly changed to solid footrest which was better but then went to reinforced solid footrests as I got a FreeWheel and I just haven’t looked back! Reinforced footrest is my jam! I’ll always have reinforced footrest on my chair now with or without having a FreeWheel because that extra rigidity up front in the chair is just gold! My first chair was a Panthera S2, followed by a U2 which is tapered, and now since 2018 I have a U3 which is the newer generation of U2 with better upholstery and a bit lower weight.
Also aaaaaaah my OCD! Your wheels! I don’t know about you, but I have to have my Marathon Plus wheels so that the narrow part of the pattern points forward. And it actually does also affect the feel when pushing as the threading is made to be with the narrow point being forward. It’s just a minor detail but omg it gets me every time lol
And having a seat dump really makes a world of difference! I don’t have it by structure in my U3 as it doesn’t have that option, but to have a dump we’ve loosened the Velcro straps under the seat to create that angle. If I had needed more, I’d probably have had to try Quickie Helium or a Küschall chair instead, and the latter isn’t very easy to get in my part of Sweden as it’s outside of the standard assortment of active chairs (you can get one, but it’s just a lot of extra paper work and stuff) that my region has deals on. Panthera is by far the most common chair in Sweden and luckily they’re awesome, only they don’t fit everyone if having very specific seating needs.
Also to trick my body a bit with the dump, I have the StimuLite Contoured XS cushion in my chair and it has the hollowed out bum pit so the cushion too makes my bum sit lower than my knees, along with having loosened the Velcro under the seat some, the combination of both probably makes me sit at about the same angle as you do and it really does help a lot
Looks like a great chair. A comment on your handrim color choice. Black handrims show scratches more easily. Combined with black tires, black wheels (rims, spokes, hubs) and black upholstery the chair all but disappears at night. Especially if you are wearing dark clothing. Makes you stealthy but also more likely to get hit in a car park. I thought it would be really cool but...
That's why I put lights on my blue and black chair if there's a good chance that I'll be out at sunset or later - originally, I just got some string style bike wheel lights (my rear wheels are spoke wheels, so the attach the same way as they would on a bike, and they stay on the chair all the time - they're barely visible when they're not on, so a lot of people don't even notice them until I turn them on), and while those help, I still put a white light on the front (I only have one white light right now, so I put it on the side of me that's closer to traffic - there are places where I live that don't have sidewalks and/or curb cuts but are supposed to (they're currently working on getting that changed), so I'm often in the road, especially at night where cracks/bumps in the sidewalk are almost impossible to see because there are basically no streetlights) and a red light on the back so that cars can see me: lets cars see me from all sides (especially because I wheel on the same side that I would walk - facing oncoming traffic). It also helps me see the ground in places where there's no streetlights, and I get a ton of positive comments on the lights from other people - my usual response is something like "[thanks/yep], kinda necessary at this hour", which does double duty of both thanking them for the compliment, as well as bringing attention to the fact that it's hard for cars to see moving objects at night unless the object has lights or the car's headlights shine directly on it (I've almost hit people on bikes while driving both just after sunset and at night because I couldn't see them until it was almost too late because there were no lights on the bike, even though it's required by law here to have lights on them if being ridden after sunset) - as far as I know, there's no law or ordinance where I live saying that wheelchairs have to have lights on them after sunset, but I figure that if it's required by law for bikes, then, even though not required, it would probably be a good idea for me to do it with my chair as well, since, at night, someone in a chair is often even harder to see than someone on a bike. Currently looking to get better red and white lights, because the headlamps I've been using (one has a really bright red setting, the other has a really bright white) aren't the easiest to deal with - they're annoying to take on and off every time (if I leave them on the chair, the straps would get wrecked from being stretched out so much), and I can't get the white to be at the right angle for me to see the ground well on less familiar streets/sidewalks (the main reason I don't take sidewalks at night unless they're really well lit). Hence my looking for something that will strap securely onto any size tubing and stay put at the exact angle I need.
Due to your series I’ve ordered my new wheelchair and bike attachment today, Thanks Gem!
So happy that it is all you wanted. Just one note in the shot of your pushrims you have the wheels on the wrong side. The tire profile the arrows need to point forward. Yours did point backward. That makes pushing even easier
i've been binging your wheelchair fitting series lately as i'm FINALLY going to get a better fitting chair! I'm in Sweden and I was given a basic Etac Cross 6 chair as my first one. It's a clunky military tank of a chair meant more for being carer driven rather than me driving it myself. It was this big and heavy foldable wheelchair with the footplates super far out, with permanently mounted handlebars i can't fold down, with armrests WELDED TO the sideguards. It simply was not meant for a semi-active ambulatory user like myself. It's over 15kgs, and living in a hilly city I simply CAN'T use it outdoors! It led to me actively deciding against using it even on days where I'd need it. The OT who prescribed it to me was also super against me having a wheelchair, tried making me choose a roller or a walking frame instead, despite her already knowing all the issues I have with putting weight on my wrists, and once she finally agreed on the chair, she was super dismissive of my concerns and went "This is the ONLY chair we can get you. We need to save the good chairs for the people who ACTUALLY can't walk." and then had the audacity to laugh as if it was funny! I just felt horribly embarrassed about my needs. Over a year with this mess of a chair, trying to make it work with weight loss and building muscle to use it easier, and it just didn't work. So I've finally managed to get another OT to listen to my worries and she'll get me in for a fitting appointment for an active chair AND possibly some add-ons if needed.
After a bunch of research I'm really hoping for a Panthera U3 chair, hopefully with a SmartDrive to help me with the steep hills in my city!
I love this for you! I have a TiLite Aero Z which is my first custom wheelchair.
It only has like an inch of dump and I want to explore more dump to make it possible to carry things at work, groceries but I worry that it might be bad for my core or back. I would like my feet more underneath me to be more compact. I naturally find it more comfortable to tuck my feet behind the footrest when at rest now. I would like a slightly tapered leg rest/front frame to be more compact. I want to get the Yamaha Navione power assist - for sidewalk slope, help uphill and speed control downhill, help with uneven arm strength in left vs right. I want to try for a titanium frame and suspension casters and forks to help with vibration control. I don't use my armrests so next time, I just wouldn't get them. I would like a slightly lower back for better range of motion, ease of turning to get bags off the back. I would like Spinergy LX wheels to help with vibration. I would like the center of gravity adjusted to be capable of wheelies while still stable. I would like a second pair of tires out of pocket for hiking/off-road.
I was just measured for a new chair - my current one is not a custom, and I’m really looking forward to better support and movement.
Ik love your videos, and being myzelf a wheelchair user for quite some time i wonder why you never tried wheelchairs with suspension or wheels with suspension. I got Loopwheels on my chair and the frontwheels are fitted with froglegs. This helps a lot when i'm on the streets and sidewalks here in The Netherlands. Also when i'm off road with my Batex Hibrid (that is going to be replaced with a Batec Electric) i have almost no problem with bumps and treeroots on my way.
Enjoyed you're video. I use a mobility scooter myself. It was nice to see you challenging the woods. My health problems limit me as far as walking long distances and I also have breathing problems. I do have an e bike. I purchased a bike alarm and it can also be used for a horn. Every time I have used it I've scared the people I was trying to warn. Dirty looks galore. I purchased a regular bike bell and installed it on my scooter and bought another one for my bike. The ding that bell makes seems a lot more friendlier than an electronic noise. Good luck in the future. K
I love your chair, I wish that the Veterans Administration had them in the USA 🇺🇸
i had a stimulite for 2 weeeks and got a pressure sore so i stick to jay cushions now was in 2018
I bottomed out in my first Stimulite, and my second one was so hard that my sitting tolerance was less than one minute, so I ended up getting a ROHO quadtro, which (contrary to what my ATP thought) gave me the exact amount of stability that I needed while still being soft enough to be comfortable. Glad you found something that worked for you.
I am a new wheelchair user and very disappointed that I wasn’t given options. I was told it would be foldable, light weight and I could put it in the passenger’s seat or back seat easily. I have had my chair for about two months and I am struggling. Frame portion that I have to lift over myself weighs 25lbs (we weighed it). The foot plates and bulky and I have to constantly move them or remove them to get around in my home. I feel very limited because I struggle with this chair. I have learned so much from these videos and have made notes to help me in discussing what I need adjusted with the seating service that fitted and ordered this one! THANK YOU!!❤
Bet you live in the US, amirite? We only get choices in the US when we pay out-of-pocket.
Vote for Democrats who will get us universal health care if you want the stuff British disabled people have. If you don't, don't complain.
I am really chuffed to see you so happy with your new chair!
Looks like your new chair is great for you. You have such good posture. I can control my back and stomach and have tried various seat backs but I am always sliding forward and slumping.
I love my chair's dump and center of gravity. It's so easy to maneuver and do wheelies. The dump makes my knees slightly higher than my hips, so it's easy to carry things without them sliding off my lap. I also love my Frog Legs caster forks. The suspension makes the ride so much smoother, especially on bumpy surfaces like cobblestone.
The only things I'm changing on my next chair are the footplate, the wheels, and the handrims. I need my footplate to be about an inch further away because my feet keep sliding forward. I also want to switch from 24" wheels to 25" wheels after trying out a pair once. I found the larger wheels took less effort to push. And last, I want to get Surge handrims (which have a rubber strip on top) instead of the standard Natural Fit rims that I currently have because I'm having issues with my hands slipping off as I push!
Gem have you tried swapping your wheels over so that the tread goes the other way .it will make for a smoother ride .Yet another great video
Well I’ve decided to keep my current wheelchair but make changes, I’m getting a Jay 3 back so it supports my back better, getting a roho seat cushion and new casters also new clothing guard and bumper guards as well. I love my TiLite wheelchair and there isn’t anything wrong with it except the back. I like your new wheelchair it’s pretty sweet, I also liked your motion composite. I had a motion composite but I lost so much weight that it didn’t fit me anymore so in a way it was unusable for me still in excellent condition.
I am doing something similar with my TiLite chair. What was wrong with your back and what type of back are you going with. The back and seat cushion are my Achilles heels on this chair. Getting new front casters next week. :)
@@DrunkChristmasSkunk oh my back is just a plain cloth one and it’s not very supportive. I’m changing over to the Jay X3 back because it has the supportive capabilities I need. I have a video up in my channel if you’d like to see it. It’s ultra Violet and white.
I can't wait for my wheelchair assessment and to find out what type will be best for me (manual or powered).
Hi Amy
how did you get on with Accessment I am waiting on another as the first wheelchair I got is so heavy.
@@wendydowker3346 Hi Wendy, it was a disappointing appointment because they tried to give me a cheap heavy wheelchair, but I had already bought a better one off ebay second hand! They asked what was wrong with the one I bought, I said it still isn't the right fit/ width and I need better back support, and my husband has hurt his back lifting it into the car because it is heavy like yours. Eventually (seemingly begrudgingly) she said she was just the "general" wheelchair services, but she could refer me to specialist wheelchair services to see a "rehab technician", but it would be a very long wait. She said they have more scope to order better fitting and lighter wheelchairs. So I asked for the referral. I'm hoping whenever that appointment is that I either get offered a good wheelchair that will fit me and what I need, or offered an NHS voucher to help me pay for buying one privately. The NHS or Gov website says we should be given the choice of both. I was pretty shocked that the first appointment was just for them to try to push a cheap wheelchair on me. I hope this helps! Is your second appointment with general wheelchair services again or specialist? What area do you live in? I'm in the North East (Stockton-on-Tees).
@@aimee_mh
Hi Amy,
I am not sure but it is not with the person I had with this first wheelchair assessment.
I go to the hospital to see them but still waiting to get the appt .with them.
It looks like the one I got at first was same as yours and very heavy it is a manual one about 19KGS .
Thank you for your reply please let me know how you get on and I will do the same.
Regards
Wendy
Devon
Glad to see everything worked out with your wheelchair. I'm off to wheelchair services next week to try out the quickie argon 2 and a kushall, o hopefully will be able to get one that will suit my needs
So interesting! I was wondering about the push runs! Also my centre of gravity definitely isn’t set up right after watching you here!
Right now we are doing a trial run with a standard manual. Weird thing I love is the split footplate jutting out, which is a great place for a shopping basket.
Thing I absolutely hate is bc it is a standard manual chair it is impossible to do wheelies. Seriously I can get over cracks and that is about it
Thank you for all your efforts! You are amazing. And I cannot believe your daughter is a teen...OMG....😘
Another fantastic wee video!!!!! You look fab in the new chair - you just look so much more comfortable and relaxed (is that weird?)x x
I have the Natural Fit pushrims that are similar to Gem's. They are the elongated oval design instead of the standard round tubes. I love them but there is one issue I've found. I have the black anodized version of that brand. I'm so asking for the uncolored option next time. At least on the brand I have the black scratches off so easily and makes the chair look beat up. Without the color scraping off they would look nice so much longer.
This may seem a silly question but I struggle to walk that well & when I go to a big shopping centre I borrow a manual wheelchair from a wheelchair loan shop! But I am a full time catheter user so unless I strap a big pee bag to my leg there seems nowhere underneath to store a higher capacity urine bag! So I end up at the end of shopping with a massive bulge on my leg! It's silly things like that I worry about as I have no bladder control! 💗
That's great that your daughter can put your chair in the car like that. I've just ordered a new, bigger motability car so that I can do this.
Hello everyone I just found you again on my new phone and I wanted to say Merry Christmas and happy New Year cuz I wasn't able to I was in the hospital and I am doing better now after a long illness and so I would like to wish again everybody and your home a happy New Year and wish you many blessings!
For me, as I have a neurological condition I need high back and head support, also arm support. My privately funded Cyclone wheelchair is awesomely comfortable but I'm still looking for someone to modify the armrests. Cyclone won't and NHS won't advise as privately funded.
Really wish Cyclone had told me about those Eagle thumb brakes as I've always struggled with the traditional ones.
The complete relief of having a wheelchair that supports me makes a huge difference to my spoons! Plus it's easier to move around in or be propelled when too weak. The Batec is pretty meh in hilly areas like I live in though. Really disappointed and revert to my mobility scooter in situations where I had thought the Batec would have been better
Happy Birthday DB! 🌼❤
I came over to have a look (I asked you about your wheels on tiktok) as I'm in the process of new chair buying and I was speaking to cyclone mobility and they'd said the gtm or the aria (the one where the frame is 3.9kg for one and something like 4kg for the other, I can't remember exactly which is which as I've not looked at those brands yet) but so far the first thing that you've made me aware of is the dump bit! I did wonder what the actual name for it is. I've lost 7st so my argon 2 (wcs issue) is too big and I need a smaller chair, but also a shoulder injury is forcing the lightweight issue. The spinergy LX wheels are the ones I was looking at and I'd not heard of the lxl so thanks for that too. I'm gonna go watch all the stuff on your new chair because I really need the help and advice from someone who knows, not someone who is able bodied trying to tell me what's best (my local wheelchair shop) for me. So thank you in advance!!!!
Glad u happy...
Those push rims look ace...
But not so good in cold wet weather...
Or hot, for that matter, though I don't know how often it gets hot enough in the UK to make the pushrims burn your hands.
Hi Gemma - have you ever used fingerless gloves? - I use mine as brakes when going down hill to prevent hand chaff. I've tried a couple of pairs now and am currently using leather ones - but will switch back to non leather ones as they (leather ones) slip in the wet.
Thank you for this video! It is very informative x
Happy Birthday DB Have a day love from TEXAS
I have only had my current chair for about a year, but I want to get welded side guards with a non folding backrest. I can get my chair in the car by myself with the backrest up now, the side guards are a little floppy and I don’t like it. Full welded H bar and side guards are my next thing
I like my TiLite Aero Z - it's a huge step up from the Ki Mobility Catalyst 5 and Drive Medical Cruiser X4 that I had been using. The things I needed the most were:
-seat depth and seat-to-footrest height that actually fit me (my legs are really short, so a custom was my only option for getting those measurements correct without major modification, because my seat width is just barely too big for a pediatric chair)
-lower backrest height (we had to cut off the bottom of the backrest/push handle tubing on both the catalyst and cruiser so that the push handles wouldn't get in the way of my arms when wheeling)
-movable center of gravity (I know the Catalyst has one, but I didn't get it until after my assessment, and didn't use it enough to take the time to actually adjust the COG; needed to be able to go down hills in a wheelie and go down curbs facing forward)
-smaller overall front-to-back length (there were times where I didn't fit in a presumably (though not marked as such, but the ones that were actually accessible weren't marked as such, either) accessible restroom because my chair was too long front to back to let the door close all the way because there were other things in the way that kept me from being able to turn enough for the door to close)
-significantly lighter weight (there were several times where it took me 2 or 3 tries to lift my chair into the back of the car because it was so heavy and I was really tired, and some of those times, it almost fell back out on me because it wasn't all the way in on the first try - no, there wasn't anyone else who could do it for me)
Things it has that I simply wanted (but not necessarily needed):
-pull-to-lock brakes (I'd keep hitting the brake handles on previous chairs when wheeling uphill because I'd grab both the tire and the handrim, which would partially engage the brakes if I hit them because they were push-to-lock, and sometimes even put the brakes all the way on, which was super annoying)
-luggage forks (to hold my suitcase when going through the airport - used to have to attach it to my backpack that would hang on the back, and with the suitcase having non-spinner wheels, that made tight turns almost impossible)
-armrests (my arms get very tired if I don't have somewhere to rest my elbows when I'm being pushed or sitting still for long periods of time)
-fold-down side guards (I usually fly at least once a year, and fold-down were going to be the most durable for that because I got a backrest that locks when folded)
-impact guards (both for flying and because my legs sit against the frame)
Other accessories I have on it that weren't part of the chair-ordering process:
-Ki Mobility seat pouch (came on the Catalyst that I inherited from my grandma when she died) - gives me a place to carry little things, like a tiny tool kit, library card, phone (flip phone - only a tiny smartphone would fit), cough drops, etc.
-Advantage Bag Down Under shelf (got mine from Sportaid b/c it was less expensive than getting it directly from Advantage Bag) - allows me to carry things that won't fit in the little seat pouch, like extra layers (that was the main reason for me getting it), small groceries, books, my medical binder (for appointments - it fits perfectly), wallet, etc.
-Guzzie + Guss cupholder (got it on Amazon) - fits securely on most sizes of circular tubing, and fits some shapes of non-circular tubing, like oblong (not sure about tubing that has sharper corners, like square or rectangular - it might, but I don't know); it also can be adjusted to 16 different angles (360° total), and it locks into place in whatever angle you choose, so it won't move; I remember when I first got my chair, I didn't have a cupholder for it yet, and from Day 1 I found myself already trying to put my drink where my cupholder now sits, even though there wasn't a cupholder there at the time and I had never had one there before
-helicopter tape (the one I got is ISC Racer's Tape, 2" x 30', on Amazon) - I followed Paralyzed Living's more recent video for applying it as scratch protection for the front of the frame, which finally allowed me to show off the front of my frame without worrying about it getting scratched up by the rusted underside of my truck when doing things on the passenger side with the door open (only one caster arm had been visible before, because the impact guards, cupholder, and luggage forks (all black) covered the rest of it), because I love my frame color (ocean blue metallic) and wanted other people to be able to see it, too, but I didn't want it getting scratched
-Reha Design Ultra Grrrip pushrim covers - from the very beginning, I knew I was going to need these, because my hands are so wide that I can't effectively grip standard diameter pushrims with gloves on (for various reasons, I can't forego gloves when wheeling, except at home), and they not only make the pushrims wide enough for my hands, but add a ton of extra grip
Things I need on my next chair:
-shorter seat depth and tighter front angle (when I finally got the amount of dump I needed, that adjustment put my calves further back but my feet further out in front of me - I had to fold the front bit of seat sling and tuck it under because it was digging into the back of my calves, and the balls of my feet tend to rest on the very back of the footrest)
-bigger dump to start (to allow for a tighter front angle without sticking my feet way out in front of me)
-a ZRA (titanium) instead of an Aero Z (aluminum) (even with an Aero Z being as lightweight as it is, it's still too heavy for me to manage when I'm really tired, even with both rear wheels taken off - the weight difference will be worth it for me)
-possibly an ergo seat (so the flat part at the back of the seat, which is different from the "dump"/"bucket")
-a section on the push handle cane that's wide enough for an attachment point for a service dog leash (my current push handles don't have a spot wide enough for it) - I'd just attach the leash to the front of the frame, but then it wouldn't allow the dog to get all the way behind me when going through a very narrow spot; might require me to get a different kind of push handle, even though I much prefer the kind I have right now, which fold down when not in use (a really easy way for me to make it clear to people that I don't need or want them pushing me, but I can still hook things over them securely)
Great Gem! So happy for you.
The depth of your bucket seat has a depth of compared to the front height?
Looks to be about 5cm or so. Or maybe the slope angle is the measurement?
Bucket refers to the height difference between front and back of the seat.
Really important topic in this video Gem!
I love my ergo seat. Being shorter is a pain, however being lower means a better push as you have more reach
I really do like the wheelchair you're using now not really able to need a wheelchair that I want one that is red and black with a seatbelt and a smart wheel on the back.
You scoot forward on the seat to transfer, could you also do that to reach items that are too high for you?
I spent 6 grand on a gtm wheelchair and it's not right. I was given bad advice regarding shape and angle of the seat which makes me feel unbalanced and unsafe. It was a compromise because I couldn't afford my first choice. I'm now about to spend even more money on the chair I should have bought in the first place
youtube giving me weird recommendations. Hey its my birthday too. Nice wheel chair. Its cool how advance stuff is now a days.
I also just recently moved chairs and my new one is working perfectly
I'm in the USA. How do I get started purchasing a wheelchair? Does the government Medicare pay any of it?
With a fully welded frame, how is loading into the car if you are travelling on your own?
I am not in a wheelchair, but I do find the seat slant to be uncomfortable for most chairs.
I’m having some health issues with my joints, but we had a family trip planned for New York City. This ruclips.net/user/postUgkxuxJwamLFanm476LC5WPeTouyyU1GXomC was perfect! It’s lightweight enough that my friend could carry it up or down stairs when we needed to. (I can walk very short distances) It was comfortable for me to sit in, I would say if you’re super tall it might be a little cramped. I’m 5’1” and the foot rests were the perfect height. This may not be the best one for long term use, you get what you pay for, but for something that fits our budget that gives me accessibility while we deal with my health this was amazing.
How did you guys decide on the proper width of the chair? I feel like mine is too wide. I want it as narrow as possible but don’t want to feel squeezed. It’s hard to tell where the side guards will sit and touch as well.
Hi Gem...Im just about to get a Motion Composites Veloce.I wont be sitting in it and using it for extended periods,but after watching your video Im wondering if it will be right for me?Ill be mainly using it around the house and the occasional trip where I will be loading it(by myself) in my car.I have had it fitted by an O/T who specialises in wheelchairs so Im hoping it works out ok.Any thoughts ??
How the seat cushion coop withe ergo seat? As the cushions usually has firm bottom
How long did you wait for your chair to be made from the ordering date? Xx
I would be worried about tipping with no tip wheels? But I don’t know how people who are paralyzed don’t tip over. I have cp and I’m always worried about tipping over.
I think the silver pushrims look good. Probably better than black.
Has there been any change with putting the chair in the car by yourself? Just because it’s a rigid frame
still using my powered quantum edge hd with seat lift that i bought myself
i have a maunuak nhs wheelchir that was really usfull before my sugry becuse i was never leaaving the house by my self but it doesnt meet my needs anymore becuse im basiclly completly independant but i would love an eletric one at the moment i hav e a moblity scooter and sticks
Really like your videos, but isn't moving to the front of the wheelchair to transfer dangerous?
Paraplegic of 35 years. I don't think I've ever had a 100% perfect wheelchair. There has always been something wrong with it.
@Katya Yeah things are getting improved all the time. I'm currently looking into a height adjustable one.
Your just charming.!! The wheelchair will make you a real force to be delt. with ..
I’m a part time user as I can walk, but I can’t walk very far or for very long. Had two knee replacements. The first one came loose and surgeon refused to X-ray or even check the device. It was loose and when I finally got a second opinion the damage to my bone was bad. They did a full revision and even a year later I still have quite a lot of pain. I use a folding powered wheelchair for mostly indoor use or when I’m mostly on flat, paved surfaces. I use a mobility scooter for going to parks and to walk my dogs. I’m traveling for the first time with my chair next week when I go to California. Sometimes I feel embarrassed to use it and I don’t and then regret it. Most of the time people are very nice and help. I like your videos and they have helped. I hope at some point I will be able to go back to walking but I am grateful that we had the financial means to purchase the scooter and chair with FSA funds here in the US. The chair is fairly light for a power chair and I can lift it myself.
What did you do with your previous wheelchair ?
Is it smooth riding
I am new to your channel, I am finding it interesting. Have you tried a powered wheelchair?
Ahhh welcome. Thanks for subscribing. I have an wheelchair electric ad on, called a batec ruclips.net/video/A3LmmkU2MYU/видео.html
And I’m hoping to try an electric chair soon 🤫
I am a power wheelchair user, want would I change, well yes but I do not know, this my 2nd 1 of the same, model (newer a version, but the same) it sound odd to a mnual wheelchair user but the chair is too light, at 160Kg my the older version was a 175Kg do the CoG was lower.
and there is something wrong with the seat Seating servers are coming out in a few days the next option, by feet, are OK ankle are OK knee are OK, hips are play up, now they sorted my back. as you know they change something and ask is that OK, you do not know give me a month for everything to bed in and my body moved to fit it, then I will tell you.
Is being in a wheelchair fun or bad
❤
You kid has really grown...
If my (arthritic) friend comes to PA to visit with her chair, is there anything I should know?
Would your friend be going to your house at any point? If so, Travel Tips By Laurie has a pretty good video on various ways to make a house accessible (or at least more accessible than it was) temporarily, and there are more tips in the comments on that video. I personally haven't seen another video as good as hers on the subject, but I haven't really gone looking. I'm sure others will comment here with their tips, since I don't have a whole lot to offer beyond what's in Laurie's video and the comments section on it.
@@SnowySpiritRuby yep, she'll be staying with me since I have no steps etc...
I'll look into TTBL
thanks
@@johnvelas70 You're welcome. It's one of her much older videos, so you'll either have to do a search for it or scroll way down.
Loop wheels to get suspension
I like your legs arnzt too far back under the seat, that isn't so good for veins and arteries. You seem proud. If you feel well, after a long and stressful day it's great! Then it's the best chair for you. More I can't say because it's you who has the last word.
I love your smile!
Can you bike ride in your wheelchair
She uses her Batec for that. For more info on that, check out the videos she made about her Batec - one of them was about using it to go for a bike ride with her family.
Things I don’t like about my wheelchair is my front wheels
minunat Gem ( wonderful Gem )
How does someone push you in your new chair?
It's got fold down push handles fitted.
@@nay8991
Bit harsh.....
Even I need to be pushed sometimes especially after a few beers or sat looking at a 1 in 10 Incline 🤣
Are you this happy all the time or is it just something you do for videos?
Pretty much, this is me. Ofc I have down days, or days I’m in too much pain, or I’m ill. But I think if you asked my friends this is my personality🙏🏼
Nice chair- you are comparing a fully rigid custom chair to a folding frame chair,so it’s gonna be loads different
Other than being able to fold smaller for transport, are there any other advantages to a folding chair over a rigid chair?
@@aimee_mh Personally, in my 3 years of using a folding one then another year and a half of using a rigid, not that I can think of. Folding small enough to fit into the wheelchair closet on a plane is technically "able to fold smaller for transport", but even some rigid chairs can break down small enough for that (mine's just a few inches to big, but it breaks down small enough to fit in the back of a prius without having to have the backseat folded down), so nope, not that I've come across yet. Other people might have other thoughts on it, but that's what I've personally found to be true for me.
@@SnowySpiritRuby That's really helpful, thank you. I would like the sturdiness, and no creaking / movement, of a rigid chair. I last went on a plane in 2016 so I don't go on planes very often! I'm waiting for my NHS wheelchair assessment soon, just using a cheaper folding one for now.
@@aimee_mh You're welcome. Have you checked out Gem's other videos on tips for choosing a wheelchair? There's the one from this little series, and there's at least one other one (I want to say there are at least two more from a long while ago, but I can't remember for sure).
@@SnowySpiritRuby I think I've seen almost all of Gem's videos now 😄 I'm learning so much!
I took a taxi to my mobility company looking for a self propelled wheelchair as backup. So not suited to me. Self propelled chairs are not chairs you can slide into from the side. Sometimes the arms can swivel up or can be completely removed but the top of the wheels will be in the way; the self propelled chair is more suited to those people who can use their legs (functional or not) to aid their transfer.
They make electric wheels for self propelled chairs. These wheels are very heavy and very expensive. They can get wet if you are out in the rain and each wheel will need to be charged overnight.
I'm getting assessed for my first NHS wheelchair soon, and I don't know if they'll recommend a self propel or a powered wheelchair. I'm currently using a cheaper self propel wheelchair I bought temporarily. I'm fine to push myself short distances on smooth surfaces (around my kitchen, moving in an aisle in a shop), but my arms can't propel me for long distances, my husband pushes me. I don't think this will improve because, whilst my arms are great compared to my legs, I do have a little arm weakness and my upper arms get stiff and painful. But I'm worried about getting a powered wheelchair because I'm guessing it'll be even bigger and harder to manoevre around my house (soon moving to a bungalow) and we don't have a wav. I'm worried about running out of charge too. Do you have any advice for me?
@@aimee_mh I live in Hampshire and I bought my powerlchair privately. It was very expensive (and I am so grateful to all who made this possible). The people who work for this company are engineers who can do wonderful things by way of modifying chairs. I cannot give you any advice regarding the NHS but it can do no harm to chat with this company. They are called Gallagher Mobility Aids LTD. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best.
The extremely heavy power wheels issue is exactly why I went with a SmartDrive over any other option (Twion, E-Fix, eMotion, Smoov, ZX1, Servo) - easy to attach and detach, small enough to easily stow, waterproof, and only weighs 12.5 lbs (which I know sounds like a lot, but it's well balanced when carrying it by the handle, and it can be carried with 2 hands if needed; and, personally, I find that its weight is barely noticeable when attached to the chair but not engaged). The Smoov is the next closest thing to the SmartDrive (it's basically Alber's version of a SmartDrive), but it weighs in at 15 lbs and didn't seem to me to be quite as easy to stow (because of its shape) or attach/detach.
For charging, I've found that, depending on how much I use it, my SmartDrive (and pushtracker) can go a couple days without charging, which has come in handy more than a few times.
@@SnowySpiritRuby Wow those look great thank you! I didn't know rear mounted power assist existed. I think Gem's Batec looks great, but I was worried shops might not let me in with it and it might make me too long for smaller spaces (eg. going into a room at the doctors). The Smartdrive looks so cool, I'll definitely be looking into that more, along with the Twion and Emotion. I think I've seen power assisted wheels somewhere before but I assumed they had a small battery and wouldn't be enough for me. I'm looking to be able to go to the local town centre (20 mins walk / just over a mile away), go around a couple of shops, maybe go to a doctors appointment and get back home without needing to push. Do you think the Smartdrive would have plenty of battery for that? It's amazing the options that are out there. Also 12.5lbs, that's so light!
@@aimee_mh Using it at 100% speed (about 5.5mph), my SmartDrive can generally get anywhere from 6.5-8 miles on a single charge, depending on the terrain (hills are going to take more than flat, non-pavement will take more than pavement, and I've found that it actually handles grass and gravel fairly well with a little help from me). I can get even more if using it at a slower speed. The only issues I've ever had with it were related to the pushtracker, not the SmartDrive itself (though they may have been partly due to the fact that I don't have a smartphone and so can't update the software on my own). Chronically Jaquie has some good videos on Twions (what she got originally - not sure whether the app is available in the U.S. yet or not, but it wasn't when she got them (she was in Florida at the time)) and SmartDrive (what she ended up switching to for her particular situation), so I suggest checking those out as well - they're both in her "Custom Wheelchair" playlist. Roll With Cole and Charisma has a video all about his wheelchair, and I think (can't remember for sure because it's been a while since I've watched it, but I think) it goes over the wheels he has on his (if I remember correctly, they're eMotion). Power assist wheels actually have a pretty big battery (at least all the ones I've seen pictures of do), and that contributes significantly to their weight, so there is a tradeoff that needs to be considered if weight can be an issue (some of Jaquie's videos go into more detail on this). Hope that helps.
i wanna know abt the camber. it looks like there’s no camber
They are never perfect impossible tbh
You can get perfection it just rare.
@@ecologist_to_be no you cant
❤❤❤❤🦽🦽🦽🦽🛵🦽🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅 10:55
Hello.
You're all that and a super-size bag of chips, want to be youtube friends?