New Wheels

Last month, my primary care physician prescribed a power wheelchair for me. It’s harder for me to get around these days because of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), fibromyalgia, etc. My joints experience subluxations that cause tripping and falls. Everything, but especially the POTS, cause exhaustion, sweating, tachycardia, and fainting.

Since my diagnosis of hEDS in 2015, I’ve been using various mobility devices. Of late, I alternate between a HurryCane cane for very short distances and stairs (which are very hard for me to do); a colorful, lightweight Danish byAcre Nordic Pioneer rollator that my bestie won for me on Instagram (!); and a 2-in-1 rollator/wheelchair. The 2-in-1 wheelchair is considered a “transport” model because I can’t self-propel. I have to be pushed.

When I saw my doctor, I asked about making the move to a self-propelled wheelchair because I’m maxing out at 1/2 mile with the rollator. My POTS kicks in. My doctor said a manual wheelchair wouldn’t be a good fit, because it would be just as exhausting as a rollator, so she prescribed a power wheelchair.

A month ago, I started the daunting task of trying to get my health insurance to cover a small, folding, weatherproof, power wheelchair. It’s still ongoing. My health insurance case manager said it didn’t look good because they only cover wheelchairs for use in the home. Benchmarks such as needing aid with “toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and bathing” are required. I am able to do most of these things, albeit slowly, with my current mobility devices. I do need a great deal of help from my husband and some days, I can’t do three of the five.

While the gears of health insurance grind on, my pal, Tricia, read about my predicament. Last century, Tricia and I worked together at Newbury Comics. But we’ve kept in touch on social media. I love seeing what she and her two amazing kids are up to. Last week, Tricia contacted me with pictures of a Kerdom Mobility power wheelchair and the message: “LOOK WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU!!!!” I was in disbelief. By the week’s end, my nephew and I had picked up the wheelchair!

Thanks to Tricia and the Community Caregivers of Greater Derry/The Loaner’s Closet for Durable Medical Equipment, I now have a Kerdom wheelchair, specifically a “Folding Power Chair ‘World’s Lightest’ 12AH with Airline Approval.” I’m so excited to use it all around New England, as I am an “Elite Reviewer” on Yelp!, where I make sure to bring attention to accessibility in my reviews.

I’ll be taking the wheelchair to its first concert tomorrow night when I go to see Amyl & the Sniffers at MGM Music Hall! I’ll be reviewing how the wheelchair performs and this summer, I plan to start an accessible guide to concert venues here on this blog. So make sure you’re subscribed for updates! ♿️