by clairc » 17 Jan 2016, 13:06
I have similar brainwashing problems because I'm not 'confined' to a wheelchair. Because I can walk a few yards with crutches I don't need a wheelchair because physio will cure me of my incurable genetic condition which causes dislocations, muscle spasms and chronic pain. It won't. Walking causes injuries and more pain until I end up bedbound so I'm stuck in limbo. Too disabled to be independent but not disabled enough to qualify for powerchair.
20 years ago after being housebound for 6 months they begrudging gave me a manual chair. One of the self propel red ones with a grey canvas seat and back, you know the kind I mean. It didn't matter that I didn't have the upper body strength to propel it myself because someone else could push me. It wasn't necessary for me to leave the house independently. My needs had been met with the cheap, basic wheelchair. End of story.
13 years ago I got myself a mobility scooter. It cost a small fortune but for the first time in years I could leave the house on my own. It was great but it had it's limitations, such as having to do a 15 point turn to change direction, which is painful and frustrating when you have neck issues and can't look over your shoulder without triggering debilitating spasms. Now I'm having issues with my muscles not relaxing properly so I can't maintain a grip on a scooter's wigwag controller for any length of time without suffering pain. I asked wheelchair services about an assessment for a powerchair. I was told there was at least a 6 month waiting list and I probably wouldn'tqualify because I can walk indoors with crutches.
It's frustrating that everyone assumes you get everything for free if you're disabled and I'm scrimping and saving every penny so I can afford something that will let me leave the house on my own and catch a bus for the first time in 20 odd years. I'm luck that I can still mobilise on my own but I hate that it counts against me.
Sorry for ranting, it seems like the system is screwed for all of us.