Unexpected Outlay

[wheelinround]

When fate intervenes. We had planned our day almost down to the last minute. Dropping off the PC at Techies to fix/replace under warranty Blue Ray and have more memory put in laptop. Visit Sue mum in the nursing home at Bexley, after pick up PC and laptop. On way home get new tyres for the wheelchair.

So after unplugging everything from the PC (now bare in mind I have to climb out of the wheelchair down to floor level to do this and back again when done.). Out to the car, Sue carries PC etc me sitting waiting while she puts the wheelchair in the back........
."Bloody hell"...
."Whats up"?
"Your chairs broken"!!!
"Yeh right"
Brings wheelchair round flopping all over the place, one of the main centre stays has snapped clean in 1/2 right at the bolt joint.:oo:

Pc is carried back indoors.

I am stuck in the car so a search for a wheelchair shop near by. Find 2 one Moorebank, One Ingelburn. Closest first, I won't go into denegration mode but people who sell wheelchairs should have some common sense .........Nooot in this store. No disabled toilet, wheelchairs for trial all have flat tyres, no cushions. Here try this see how you like it.:doh:

We had the choice of direction to take to Ingelburn ......yep chose the one which had major traffic accident didn't we if taken the other we could have saved 30mins.

To the great people at Aidacare - Healthcare Equipment Solutions (http://www.aidacare.com.au/hr/products/store-locator.aspx?postcode=&store=7201)
I had CUSTOMER CARE from the time Sue had to go in and explain she required a wheelchair to bring me in. Measuring up, technical guy's involvement, swapping some of my old chairs stuff to new chair. Adding new front castors and my old forks, adjustments and we were out of the just after 1.30. Thanks heaps guys.

Pity the cost of such to all disabled is so darn high $800 for a good quality wheelchair,
I am not complaining in regard to Adicare people as additional work and fitting was all inclusive. No Centrelink or medical benefits covers these expenses.

Yes cheaper are available but its used everywhere, everyday and then some. Oh my old one has been 4x4 often just ask Fletty or Sue, additional weights of large burls eh Pat.

I guess last Saturday weeks getting thrown out of the chair due to front wheels being bogged in sand 4", me having a face plant almost may not have helped perched like drunken bird teetering between 1/2 full and half empty (you know the ones). Glad there's no photos of that predicament a doz 80 yr old ladies trying to assist.

[wheelinround]

The broken tube.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUDbWIFQaI8/UDxwO_7F9kI/AAAAAAAACfY/qpbdmHWgZmI/s1600/P1040211.jpg

[Christos]

That's not good a last minute change of plan. Looking at the bright side you were in the car, ready for the replacement.



......I guess last Saturday weeks getting thrown out of the chair due to front wheels being bogged in sand 4", me having a face plant almost may not have helped perched like drunken bird teetering between 1/2 full and half empty (you know the ones). Glad there's no photos of that predicament a doz 80 yr old ladies trying to assist.

No photos did not happen.

I try and keep my camera with me all the time these days so if I was there I would have taken photos. Offered suggestions like, does anyone have a rocket? What about we rig up some sort of counter balance. Should we wait for the grass to grow?

:U

[wheelinround]

That's not good a last minute change of plan. Looking at the bright side you were in the car, ready for the replacement.




No photos did not happen.

I try and keep my camera with me all the time these days so if I was there I would have taken photos. Offered suggestions like, does anyone have a rocket? What about we rig up some sort of counter balance. Should we wait for the grass to grow?

:U


With mates like you who needs enemas :q

[Christos]

With mates like you who needs enemas :q


Wow I did not think I was as bad as an enema. Let me think about it and get back to you.

:laughing1:

[snowyskiesau]

How long does/should a wheelchair last?
It seems a bit rough that there's no medical benefits for this sort of thing. Perhaps you should approach NRMA :)


I'd be surprised if there was no suitably talented forumite who could fix that chair for you.
Lighten it a bit, add mag wheels, respray ...

[Mr Brush]

"Never been raced" eh? :D

Remind me never to buy a secondhand wheelchair from you Ray.....:rolleyes:

Glad to hear you are now back up to speed though :2tsup:

[Claw Hama]

Bloody bus drivers always blaming the gear, they just never change.:D
Can you take a photo not quite so close up so we can see what we have to fix? Can see the brake in the tube (big ####) need to see what options we have.:U

[A Duke]

With mates like you who needs enemas :q
Now that's what I call subtle. I must remember it the next time someone gives me the ####s.

Glade you got mobile again Ray.
Regards

[wheelinround]

How long does/should a wheelchair last?
It seems a bit rough that there's no medical benefits for this sort of thing. Perhaps you should approach NRMA :)


I'd be surprised if there was no suitably talented forumite who could fix that chair for you.
Lighten it a bit, add mag wheels, respray ...



This one Geoff has lasted me about 6 hard years the first few were not so hard as at home I used a walking frame or stick. The last 4 yrs its been my constant companion so to speak.

There is a government process to apply for such aides Geoff when in need of ankle supports a Rockets Sock they took 6 weeks to get and still they got the wrong size.
A bloke at the time had been waiting 12 months for his custom made wheelchair to suit his needs.

NRMA these days are to busy to the north of Australia rescuing boats to bother with wheelchairs. :p

If I had the gear TIG etc I would do it myself or have a go but I needed it yesterday as I said I was stuck in the car, what do I use while its being fixed??

Yes hire one is a possibility not cheap and for how long and most of all comfort and light weight for Sue to manage in lifting it.

How long would a repair job last being main pivot point and stress point.

Still needed one to get about there and then.

[wheelinround]

"Never been raced" eh? :D

Remind me never to buy a secondhand wheelchair from you Ray.....:rolleyes:

Glad to hear you are now back up to speed though :2tsup:


Thanks John

Only time it was raced was round Oran Park on weekends.

[Claw Hama]

So what, you going to ignore me for my bus driver crack?:D
Could be good to get the old one repaired as a stand bye Ray. Should be able to strengthen it up somehow.

[wheelinround]

Bloody bus drivers always blaming the gear, they just never change.:D
Can you take a photo not quite so close up so we can see what we have to fix? Can see the brake in the tube (big ####) need to see what options we have.:U


My coaches always run smoothly thank you if not I'd fix it so they did. See reply to Snowy above re-gear.

Here you go, the problem is the brace is welded to a T at top and bottom. Bottom fits to the main frame, the top is what supports the seat cushion and is drilled along that shaft for screws.

Just welding the break :no: a solid bar internal possible then weld and re drill but this would weaken also me thinks you never know could last a life time to.

Still all that takes time and the new one is tops and its BLUE.:U

[wheelinround]

Now that's what I call subtle. I must remember it the next time someone gives me the ####s.

Glade you got mobile again Ray.
Regards


LOL A Duke we are still talking.:;

[Claw Hama]

Yeh, just don't like to be beaten by machinery if it can possibly be repaired (and or improved)
Blue, mag wheels, turbo? Sue will have to run to keep up with you:U

[wheelinround]

The truth be know Mark I found the place I bought the new wheelchair from had this little beauty in stock.:;



Its a battery powered 45k's top speed but its the image I would be after "Bad to The Bone":U

Just a cool $7k

[Claw Hama]

Thats pretty cool, can see you on that, fanging around the wood show:biker: :D

[snowyskiesau]

It would go well with this little beauty, which you would need if Sue caught you spending $7K on a trike masquerading as a wheelchair :D

QTvan mobility scooter caravan - YouTube

[fletty]

It would go well with this little beauty, which you would need if Sue caught you spending $7K on a trike masquerading as a wheelchair :D



...and with a top speed of only 5mph, Sue WOULD catch him!

[AlexS]

That break looks like a design fault, bolt hole should have had a sleeve.

For a ha'porth of tar a ship was lost.

[wheelinround]

That break looks like a design fault, bolt hole should have had a sleeve.

For a ha'porth of tar a ship was lost.


Your dead right Alex. The new one has double cross/pivot bars and is solid ali frame is also all solid not like the old one.

I count myself lucky I wasn't in it anywhere.

[Claw Hama]

The new "Blue Bird" looks pretty fast n all, Sue may have to go into training to be able to keep up with it. And you may end up with a new slick back hair do from the wind:D

[wheelinround]

The new "Blue Bird" looks pretty fast n all, Sue may have to go into training to be able to keep up with it. And you may end up with a new slick back hair do from the wind:D



Thanks been looking for a new name for this and seeing as "The Blue Bird (http://www.bluebirdproject.com/bbp/)" has been restored and Campbell is one speed demon I admired. I has to be it.:2tsup::2tsup:

Slick back hair do :no: never I swore I'd never have a comb over either rather shave it orf make me go faster. Yes I know my kids tell me often the bald spot at the back is getting larger but hey I'm 56 if Prince harry at 30 something can get away with it so can I.:;

Oh Sue's training between dog and grandies its already happening.:U

[fenderbelly]

About 18months ago fell while doing my shopping,broke my hip.RFDS flew me to the city where they fixed the hip but ive not been able to walk properly since. Six months later i had a knee replacement on the same leg.
i have no pain from the hip or the knee but still cant walk without my walking frame.im worried about being in the shed, i wobble all over the place. i used to be a member of the local mens shed but wasnt allowed in the workshop
if they were using machines. im currently busy converting my garden to raised beds. i feel so bloody useless.
sorry for the rant

[fletty]

About 18months ago fell while doing my shopping,broke my hip.RFDS flew me to the city where they fixed the hip but ive not been able to walk properly since. Six months later i had a knee replacement on the same leg.
i have no pain from the hip or the knee but still cant walk without my walking frame.im worried about being in the shed, i wobble all over the place. i used to be a member of the local mens shed but wasnt allowed in the workshop
if they were using machines. im currently busy converting my garden to raised beds. i feel so bloody useless.
sorry for the rant

geez Fred, you are doing it tough! Just one suggestion, what about making plastic models, cars, aeroplanes, motor bikes ..... whatever floats you boat (pun intended ��)? You can have the kit and glue bought on line and delivered to your door, they are very light, you can do a little and then take a break?
Hang in there mate!

[fenderbelly]

i hadn't thought about it but i will now. Thanks

[Allan at Wallan]

Hi Fred,
Have not been on for a while and noticed you have had your problems
with the hip and leg. I have also had a knee replacement about 15 months
ago but not happy with it.
Hope you are progressing well with your recovery.
Alan