My next wheelchair

[Dodger67]

I'm beginning to look at my options.
My current chair is a conventional X frame folder. It is really heavy, over 20kg (about 50lb). I can just manage to maneuvre the chair in and out of my car.
My next chair will definitely be lighter, but I'm not sure if it should be a folder or a rigid? My main issue with a rigid is the amount of space it takes up in a car. Not really an issue when its just me in my own car but when I'm travelling with my family in a car full of luggage the wheelchair is always a hassle to load (mainly because it has to go in last and come out first).

Considered opinions please.

[cutie patooties mom]

What are the pro's and con's of each? Gabi just got a "quickie" foldable. It has a big, molded seat cushion (Silhouette) that attaches with velcro. Pro for a foldable: A folder could go in anyone's car if you wanted to go with.

[dahliafaolan]

I've always had foldables until this last chair. I think I've always had quickies as well. I love my new rigid chair, but I hate having to switch back to my old chair any time I go out with my boyfriend. (The rigid won't fit in his car.) While the rigids are generally lighter, you sacrifice versatility.

[Dodger67]

It seems the most sensible to follow your example to get a rigid for my own convenience and use the folder when travelling with others.

[BrandyP]

I too am looking for a new wheelchair for my daughter. We have spoken with numerous folks regarding what would work best for Amber (15). I even randomly walked up and talked with a lady who was transferring from her chair into her BMW at a grocery store! She was HUGELY helpful in realizing what would be considerations for Amber in the not so distant future. I hate to think of my "evil munchkin" ever actually driving, but I guess some day she is going to be that grown up! (AGGGGGGHHHHHHH)

This lovely lady spoke with me for almost an hour regarding wheelchair issues, transfer issues, people in the car with her, being independent - not wanting her husband's/family's help, etc. She showed me how she transfers from her chair to the car and how she puts her chair in the car. Her chair is a lightweight, rigid frame. She uses a board to slide from her chair to the seat and then gets her chair in the car. The wheels pop off with the push of a button on each side and she places them in the car behind her. Then she takes the cushion off and puts that in the car behind her. Then the back folds down and the frame ends up being a square shape about 16"Wx16"Lx8"D. This was so lightweight that she had no difficulty lifting it into the car behind her. She mentioned to me that it was easier to do this when the car was a 2 door vehicle.

I had always thought Amber would be resigned to minivans and SUVs for life! Sometimes I feel like that's what I get for thinking! What would I know about how hard it is to sit and put a wheelchair into the car - I've always folded up her X type chair and lifted it into the back of our SUV/Minivan!

All of these thoughts had never occurred to me in choosing Amber's next chair - and of course Amber has her own wants/wishes for her next chair too! She wants to be able to play basketball and other sports, so we have looked at the possibility for the wheels to pop into 2 different camber locations (one for normal building movement - one for sports movement).

In fact, we finally have approval from our insurance and have her fitting appointment in 2 weeks! Assuming we can find the chair to please the alien teenager! HAHAH...I love that analogy! If you know of anything else we should be looking for, please let me know!

[ollieholmes]

My patner has a Renault Modus (4 doors) that she drives and she can get her chair in and out of. She doesnt use a board to get in and out of it but can lift herself in she has a longer handle than the standard one above the door to help but nothing else. She then is able to take the wheels off her chair and put them on the back seats behind her and the frame and cusion go on the passenger seat. If she has passengers though she gets them to put her chair in the boot.

If there is an interest in seing some photos of what i mean i am sure i can do that. Im not sure what model her chair is but its made by cyclone.