Update! After complaining to my local Wheelchair Services company’s HQ, I got a second ass
Update! After complaining to my local Wheelchair Services company’s HQ, I got a second assessment. This time, I was armed with a quote for the Ottobock Ventus I’m intent on getting *plus* a letter of support from an OT. This particular Occupational Therapist knows hEDS and POTS only too well and she was able, after a 30min consultation and a few messages, to pen an eloquent argument. Their current, countrywide policy is to only fund active user wheelchairs to those who rely on them full time. Part-time users, despite having conditions for which a heavier, much cheaper ‘chair would be injurious, are generally fobbed off with basic wheelchairs that cost a tenth of the cost of an 'entry level’ active user model, or a voucher of the same value. However, I did wheel away with a lovely new cushion! Gone is the 1" eggbox foam square! He adjusted the back and the footplates to make this one serve me as best it can and promised to speak to his manager. Well, two days later he 'phoned me with some good news. Instead of funding 10% they are prepared to fund around 50%! With my GoFundMe total so far, I should be able to go ahead and order my wheelchair as soon as I receive my voucher! Not long now! So excited! Postscript: I’ve written articles for The Mighty and the EDS UK magazine, 'Fragile Links’ on this subject. If you’re in the UK and are struggling with WCS, I’d like to hear about it! -- source link
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