My mobility history

My electric wheelchair "Dory" just had her latest round of updates. She got a new battery, new battery cables, new smaller seat pan and a new cushion. During the update before that they installed the equipment needed to make her tilt on command, installed leg abductors (to help keep my knees together) and a taller headrest. As my needs change, so she changes with me. 

These changes got me thinking about my history of mobility aides and all that I've been through in just two short years. 

"Meg" was around $120

I remember the day that I knew I needed mobility help. I was with my family in IKEA and I just couldn't keep up with all the walking. Instead I went from chair to chair resting as much as I could. I felt horrible and I knew there was something seriously wrong with me. I was right! Not only did I have Metabolic Myopathy at the time, but I also had a brain tumor. 

I shared with my husband that I needed a walker with a seat and we bought "Meg" that weekend. I still use her, but mostly for watering my plants or brining things inside my house from my car on my own.

"Shirley" was around $100

I bought this wheelchair on my own for bigger outings like going to an art gallery or being out all day. I still remember it getting stuck in an antique store and my husband accidentally almost dumping me out of it. Hahah! "Shirley" sucked going over anything other than smooth cement.

She was light enough for me to push myself and almost use her light a second rollator. She also collapsed and fit in our car nicely. She wasn't comfortable to sit in for very long though and really was made to "transport" people inside their homes or a hospital.

I still have her, but I will happily give her to someone who needs a transport chair.

"Dory" was $16K (but insurance covered it)

Getting my insurance company to pay for my electric wheelchair wasn't easy. UNTIL I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, then it went pretty quick. I got my chair "Dory" one month after my brain surgery. You can see that by the time I got her I was happy to have a new tool of independence. I still remember the feeling of climbing in and taking right off. The feeling of freedom and independence!

"Arial" was $3k

"Ariel" is my travel wheelchair. At the time my company was planning a trip to Hawaii in January and I needed an electric wheelchair. I also thought my husband and I might be able to travel more in the future. She is an incredible chair for travel.

Ariel was essential for the years that we didn't have a wheelchair van. At just 55lbs both my husband and son could get it in and out of our regular car trunk. Now that we have our van "Pablo" I keep her at my Mom's house as a backup.

"Pablo" was $61K

And here is our biggest tool yet. Our wheelchair van "Pablo". Having him enables me to always use Dory. It also gives me independence where I don't need my son or husband with me all the time to get my chair in and out of the car for me. 

Dory is the only thing our insurance has covered. Being disabled is insanely expensive. I'm very grateful to have a good primary care doctor who fights for me and a husband with a good job who knows how important it is that I have the right tools. 

How Dory looks today.

Current modifications around another $30K

(covered by insurance)