Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!samsung!olivea!oliveb!bunker!wtm
From: wheels@sequent (Kathy Coston)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Wheelchairs
Message-ID: <18219@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 16 Mar 91 13:36:47 GMT
References: <18048@bunker.UUCP>
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: wheels@sequent (Kathy Coston)
Distribution: misc
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Beaverton, OR
Lines: 35
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 14057

In article <18048@bunker.UUCP>, Marc.Sabb.f15.n114.z1@hnews.fidonet.org
(Marc Sabb) writes:
> Index Number: 13892
> 
>  I'm posting for a friend who has no net access.
> 
>  She is interested in any information available on folding wheelchairs.
> Specifically models called "Quickie" and "Kuschall".

I am a paraplegic and I have been using a Quickie 2 chair for seven
years.  I had a few problems. I have had to have the brakes rebuilt
several times.  This is quite costly. I also have problems with the
footrests. They seem to loosen up quite frequently and would touch
the ground if I didn't tighten them up. I also had the frame break
and I had to send it in for repairs.  The frames are guaranteed for
life, but I did have to pay for the labor costs.  It also took
three months to get my chair back. I also have problems with my
axles sliding in the bracket which holds them. The bolts loosen up
all the time and the wheels slide forward and hit the small tires,
which of course makes it difficult to roll. I don't know if all
Quickies have this feature.  I use it to adjust my tires for
different terrain. This needs constant adjustment. I also recently
had to have the entire axle rebuilt on one wheel which cost me
$100.

There are some good points, though. My Quickie maneuvers well. It
is very lightweight. It folds up well, so I can put it behind my
driver's seat in my car. The leg rests pop off easily, too. With a
good set of tools, almost anyone can do simple repairs and tire
changes. Actually, considering how long I've had this chair and
what I put it through, I don't think it's done too bad. I would be
curious to find out how well it compares in needed repairs to other
types of chairs, though.