TRAVELLING With wheelchairs, walking aids, walking frames - Plans

MEDICAL PROBLEM TO SOLVE

 I was taken to hospital by ambulance after reporting pain in my hip, and inability to walk. Stepping on my left leg hurt. I reported the problem to telephone number 101 in the UK. 

The nurse who answered interviewed me. She transferred me to a doctor service which rang back an hour or so later. I went through a second battery of questions, to updaate, about the site of the pain, how long I had had pain, other symptoms. 

I was told to pack up with my medications. Open the front door. And wait for an ambulance. 

I could not stand. Walking back was too painful. So I called to my husband to bring a chair and I sat waiting by the door. 

The ambulance service staff did a third update on my condition, checking my blood pressure and doing a blood test. Then we drove off. I was taken by ambulance to A and E at Northwick Park Hospital.

UK ambulances at hospital.

I was registered, seen by a doctor, given painkillers, put in a queue for an x-ray.

 After a long wait I was taken for an x ray. I was diagnosed with a fracture. 

Walking Frame Ownership

I was given a walking frome in the hospital in A & E. But that frame belonged to A & E for use there.

The physio department was called to give me another walking frome with their department label to take home.

I could not take a bus home. But I did not need an ambulance to rush me about, or delivery diagnosis and medication. My husband could drive to the hospital to collect me. Unfortunately his phone was silent and not answering. I phoned a neighbour to alert my husband.

The neighbour was not pleased. He said he had just been released from hospital where he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he wanted to sit down and have lunch. Could it wait?

I replied, no. I'm occupying a chair in A & E, and other sick people are standing or on stretchers in the corridor waiting for a free seat. The hospital wants me to leave as soon as possible. 

Collection

My husband drove to the hospital and collected me from the public's pick up point, 5 minutes only waiting time allowed, outside A & E. I progressed to the car slowly, with the aid of the two-wheel walking freme.

Wide Walking Frame

When I got home the walking frome was too wide to get between the bed and wardrobes in the bedroom. The wide walking frame was also hard to manoevre around corners, causing me to twist my hips. Thirdly, it was had to manoevre, in between the table and wall in the kitchen.

Narrower Walking Frame

A second walking frame, narrower, was brought to me on the Physio visit and checkup next day. Its height can be adjusted.

Toilet Bars

Will I need a disabled toilet on holiday? These are widely available. In coffee bars. Restaurants. And some ground floor hotel bedrooms.

Shower Grab Rail

They also ordered me a grab rail for the bathroom. I chose to have it horizotal rahter than vertical. That enabled me to get in to the left around the washbasin, yet get nearer the right by the shower tap controls.

Why Do I Need A Wheelchair?

Sitting Pain

I need a cushion or pillow to sit on. I need a padded footrest.

My office chair is on 5 wheels. However, I used a foot to push it forward, like a child riding a scooter. When I push with either food I get a shooting pain in my left thigh. I need a hand operated wheelchair. Or to remember to grab the edge of the desk to pull my chair forwards.  

Walking Pain

I am walking very slowly. I take a step and need a rest.

Now I am in pain with every step and want a wheelchair.  If the hospital cannot supply one, I need to buy one.

Even if they can supply one, I need to know what the spec should be.

Online Wheelchair Options

I went online. The ones advertised under one hundred pounds were not wheelchairs but wheelchair covers.

For about twenty pounds over one hundred pounds, I could buy a wheelchair. I than found others advertised at about 80 or 90 pounds sterling.

When looking at the spec, the cheapest one said that it needed a carer to push it. Think of it as a two handle wheelbarrow with a footrest.

I need a wheelchair for on holiday. If I wake up and want to leave the bedroom for breakfast, I want a self-propellied wheelchair so I can wheel myself.

I found them at the same prices. You just need to check the words such as self-propelled. Also note whether they have footrests. 

Footwear

I needed to wear synthetic clogs. I have crocs and some cheaper imitations. I need them to be sure of not running thw eheels of a wheelchair or walking frome over my feet, not kicking chair legs, obstructions on the floor, table or desk legs, steps, the bath or basin.

Foot stools

Does the wheelchair have a spec/poacket for carryig a bag? You might want a clipboard at a conference, A notbook, notepad. A small notebook to go in your pocket. A jacket or waistcoat with a deep pocket fr pills. A water bottle with a drinking cup.

The FEDUKLTD supplier on amazon pointed out that you can buy without VAT if you are chronically sick or disabled.

You can buy models which are all black or with red steel.

Ebay has several second hand, or refurbished. Around fifty to sixty pounds, some collect.