At'm Take Along

light

none so far

john n. from glen ellyn, il (caregiver)

76 years old bad hip

List: ***It is a POWER chair that is truly transportable!**** For someone who doesn't "usually" use a chair and/or who needs a chair to "get out and about" because their chair is too heavy to "take with them" on trips, etc. this chair seems excellent! 1. Ease of transport...We took it on the airplane (we travel a great deal) and gate checked it. We wrapped the joy stick control in bubble wrap, put it on "free wheel", disconnected the battery, and sent it on its way. 2. Ease of assembly and disassembly: My husband can do this in a minute or so! No heavy battery, seat, or wheel case to fuss with and pull apart. Straining is gone! I can do it, too, but why? 3. Ease of lifting and placing for transport in car: It fits easily in trunk or back seat. I can't lift the base, but at 30 some pounds most of my friends and relatives can. It is "doable." A taxi person could help me if I was traveling alone. 4. Fast and smooth ride: It takes off and keeps up with everyone! I love that! 5. Comfortable: I use a small pillow for my lower back, but I don't need a cushion. Some people might use a seat cushion. The arms are comfortable and the joy stick is just right for me. I like the foot rest being like it is...it doesn't stick out and bump into things. 6. Nice places to store items. 7. High seat back. 8. Feels SAFE: I never fear tipping.

List: 1. The front wheels turn sideways sometimes if there is a low door jam, etc. This makes for a sudden stop. So, I have to be very careful when there is any rise. These wheels should be wider. 2. Rear wheel drive instead of center wheels drive makes turning on a "dime" impossible! (I am spoiled by my center wheel drive chair.) So in elevators, etc, it is a challenge, but I have learned to turn in many "tight" places. 3. The mechanism for making the wheels actually turn sticks out beyond the wheels so turning corners and getting through door ways is a challenge. They catch as you go through! I am getting better with this, though. 4. I wish the seat sagged just a little less so it would give me a little more support. But, this doesn't seem like a big problem. I would not use this chair as an "all of the time" chair because it isn't as comfortable or as easy to manipulate around tight places(as in a personal home) as many center drive wheel chairs. But, it is wonderful for trips and getting out..easy to use! I believe that is what the intended use was meant to be. For someone who needs a chair to "get out and about" this would be excellent!

marcia m. from dunwoody, ga

I have post polio syndrome: reduced mobility due to weakness, pain, fatigue, loss of strength, and need to conserve energy.

reasonable cost and light weight, easy to get into a car

Not provided

jonnie b. from mishicot, wi

65, lower back pain prevents walking any distance

inexpensive, light weight, sporty, easy to dissassemble for transport, fun to use.

The welds should be filed down smoother. When picking up the chair to transport on a recent outing, I felt some sharp spots at welds that could cause cuts to hands. The connection point, for the AC charger, under the joy-stick controller, was a little difficult to initially find and a little akward to plug into.

thomas f. from san francisco, ca (caregiver)

84 yrs., male. emphysema. TIA's. Married. Indep. living community.

Easy to lift and tranport. Quick assembly of 3 pieces.

Footrest is hard to put up and down for the rider. 2 side footrests would allow rider to stand up and get in easier.

lynne r. from chesapeake, va (caregiver)

86 yr. old who had an unsuccessful hip replacement. She has only a spacer and cannot put any weight on the leg.

Even distribution of weight of the three elements, chair, battery and wheel frame. Very simple and repeatable assembly in a very very short time frams. Entire disassembled vehicle fits in the truck of my car. [Lincoln TC]

None that I have experienced.

donal p. from frederick, md (caregiver)

woman 77 years old with Parkenson's and osteoporous and fractured her spine in two places. She however is able to walk and get around but not easily.

Portable and can fit in trunk. Although, I cannot do this myself. The battery and base are still too heavy for me to manage. But I love being able to travel with others!

I can't use it in my family room - doesn't work well on carpet. This is where I wanted to use it most of the time in my house.

connie k. from strongsville, oh

54, multiple sclerosis, cannot walk, female

The weight allows me to use it myself! I have been practing and do not need my husband to help me anymore. The size enables me to fit it into my small car trunk. The battery charge is enough to mall shop and go out to eat without dropping a green bar. I am not afraid to travel by plane or car anymore.

No breaks! When I first used the chair, I was with my sister and wouldn't let her help me at all. Well, I put the base down, locked the seat in place, put the battery in, connected it and sat down. I was off! It took me a few minutes to realize why my joystick wasn't working. I had not engaged the motor to the wheels and I was on a incline outside a shopping area. It acted just like a runaway grocery cart! After putting my feet to the side of the foot rest, I was able to slowly bring it to a stop. I did not hurt myself. However, it probably would have made "funniest home videos". I laughed all day. My sister said she would never forget that sight! Is it possible to correct this? I know I need the wheels to roll the chair out of the car and once to motor is connected it doesn't go. But for safety maybe you could figure something out. I personally will never make that mistake again! Amy

amy c. from altona, ny

58 years old, unable to stand longer than a few minutes very bad back.