Hi there,
Would strongly recommend an independent wheelchair assessment conducted by a
rehab specialist and occupational therapist. There are hundreds of
wheelchairs on the market and one needs proper professional and I believe
independent advice before spending a penny on any of them. Apart from
antything else there are important long-term postural and seating critieria
to think about.
You could contact your local NHS wheelchair specialist centre or
alternatively ring the Mary Marlborough Centre (National Assistive
Technology Centre) at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hopsital in Oxford which is
one of the best in the country. Martin Wozencroft is a good contact name
there to start with. They also offer excellent advice on adaptations to
cars, environmental controls, etc.
Andrew Lysley
ACE Centre, Oxfprd
At 10:34 08/09/97 -0100, you wrote:
>Hi,
>
>This area is very new to me, although I hope some of you who know me will
be able to help. A friend of mine has sadly just suffered a bad spinal
injury, and will require a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He is keen
to get out of his ward, and some of the rest of the people in the ward are
starting to get chairs, and mobility adaptations made to their vehicles.
>
>Basically I would appreciate it if anyone could send me contact details of
wheelchair manufacturers, or stockists. He mentioned one lightweight model
(made by RGK I think). Is there a market ofr second hand / demonstration
wheelchairs? What are the market pitfalls etc.?
>
>I would really appreciate any advice in this area, since I am relatively
clueless :)
>
>I look forward to your responses.
>
>Best Wishes,
>Martin McKay (Lorien Systems)
>http://www.texthelp.com
>
>
>
>
The ACE Centre Advisory Trust
Waynflete Rd.
Headington
Oxford OX3 8DD
see us on http://www.rmplc.co.uk/eduweb/sites/acecent/ or
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~ace-cent/
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Tel +44 (0)1865 763508 Fax +44 (0)1865 750188
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