Hi! I live in the US (the DC area) and I'm in my late 20s. I'm not paralyzed but I do have multiple chronic medical conditions that severely limit my ability to walk. The biggest of these is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that can cause many problems. I have lost the ability to walk very far because of the resulting severe joint instability. I can walk around inside my apartment, meaning insurance won't pay a dime, but I can't walk further than the parking lot. I also can't drive, also due to the EDS, and specifically due to craniocervical instability and atlantoaxial instability. If I drive, I get horrible neck pain and severe headaches. Also, if I got in a crash, I would likely need emergency fusion surgery for my neck (I might need fusion surgery anyway. Fun!) Pre-COVID, my health wasn't as bad, and Lyft was a reasonable option. I've moved since then to get better medical care and things here are a little different.
I am basically stuck in my apartment unless someone drives me somewhere. The only places I go right now are doctor's appointments and my mom's house, which is a little over half a mile away. I would like to explore a little on my own and get between my apartment and my mom's house without making someone drive me. Post-pandemic, I am likely to also use it indoors in places like bookstores. A power wheelchair might even let me go grocery shopping. I'd like to at least be able to take out the trash!
I'm 5'4" and about 130 pounds (9.286 stone if I typed that into Google correctly). There are a number of hills in the area. I'm in a suburb so ideally I'd be able to go across grass, sidewalks, and roads, in addition to inside. While I won't need to use a wheelchair all day, my body is in lousy shape and I have chronic pain. The reason I stopped driving is that the seats are so awful for me, the head restraints (too far forward for me; I have a straight neck in addition to everything else, and lousy core strength, so when I sit as upright as I prefer as a small person, the seat just doesn't work for me) so I will need something somewhat supportive.
I would like something lighter so that at least my sister with the Honda Pilot could get it in her car, if not my fiance's Prius or my mom's Civic. There are also a couple steps in front of my mom's house but it seems like it shouldn't be super expensive to get a ramp (famous last words).
Anyway, I'm picturing a narrow wheelchair that is relatively light and folds but can handle inclines and bumpy sidewalks. I have a feeling this might be too much to ask for. The most important use right now is outdoors. But I do live in a small apartment.
I'm wondering if anyone has ideas on where to start. I was looking at a lightweight manual chair with SmartDrive but it seems like SmartDrive can be kind of buggy and doesn't last long enough to be worth the cost.
Oh, and I would also strongly prefer something at least kind of waterproof. Sometimes the weather around here can change on a dime. Apparently a lot of power wheelchairs can't handle any rain but surely some can at least not break if it drizzles?