Wheelchair Decision

My insurance won’t cover a power wheelchair because I need it for outside the home. They only cover wheelchairs if you need it for “toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and bathing.” I am able to do these things, albeit slowly, with my current mobility devices. I live in a two bedroom apartment, so there’s not a lot of ground to cover. Sure, on really bad days or post-surgery it would be wonderful to have one indoors, but at this point, it’s not necessary.

I was hoping to get a power wheelchair so that I could do more outside my home! I didn’t expect insurance to cover all of it, but was hoping they’d cover a portion of it. With hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, fibromyalgia, asthma, migraine, gastroparesis, etc. I don’t have much energy and tire quickly. I experience subluxations and dislocations. I fall. I pass out. I go into tachycardia.

I currently use a fantastic byAcre rollator and a 2-in-1 rollator/transport wheelchair. So it’s no surprise that one of the wheelchairs I’m considering is the PAISEEC 3-in-1 Electric Wheelchair W3. I haven’t had any contact with anyone who’s used this brand yet.

But also in the running are: FOLD & GO MAGSHOCK (It comes in purple! It’s weather-proof!) and the WHILL model C2 (It comes in pink! Its weather-tested rating is IPX4!). Note that the Fold & Go MAGSHOCK in purple is sold out but more are being made. It comes in eleven other colors. I’ve spoken with one person who’s had it for a while and loves it.

And last, but not least, the OAS ULTRA ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR in pink, of course. It seems like a good starter power wheelchair and will start shipping mid-June.

If anyone has any opinions on which wheelchair I should get, please let me know! One of the big issues is that we need to be able to fit the wheelchair in a car trunk. You can reach me on Instagram or Threads. Or comment on this post! You can also message me on Facebook.

So far, the best endorsements I’ve gotten are for the WHILL MODEL C2. Of course, it’s the most expensive one! But my birthday is next month, so maybe I’ll get the best birthday present ever!