Liz,
I am sooo happy for you!!! And no, you will never find yourself stranded with a dead battery, so don’t even imagine that happening. I have had one for six years now & have never had a dead battery yet. I used mine all of the time from July of 2002 until I began walking in July 2004, but as you know, I only walk shorter distances even now. I give my grandson really long rides on it & the batteries last a long time. If you are worried, just plug it in every night, I plug mine in about once a week. You will absolutely love the freedom you are going to have now. I am jealous, especially of where you live, as since the day after Labor Day a cold front moved into northern Minnesota & will remain until next summer… Actually summer didn’t even begin here until the middle of July; how I envy you!
Pam

I usually only charge my Jazzi 1113 every 4 days or so, but I rarely take it outside the home, & do walk part of the day. Is this a new chair with new batteries? My chair is almost 6 years old now, still have the same set of batteries. Do you use it around the house a lot during the day as well, or mostly when you go out? Also, I think it actually takes around 4 full hours to fully charge, even though it could read full after as little as half an hour. I do turn my chair off all of the time if I will be in the same spot for a minute or more, always have. Not sure if this helped you or not…

This is something that I need to know about too. When I move, I am going to get a power wheelchair so I can travel around the community where I’ll be living. I don’t know what I would do if I was putting around and my battery went dead. I’d have to depend on other residents to push me back to my apartment.

Beth,
I have had to have a power chair from the very beginning of my CIDP, as I deteriorated very rapidly to a quad staus & didn’t get any better. At first I was able to just use one for 7 months while they were processing my insurance, have had this new one now for 5 1/2 years. I was able to start walking in the summer of 2004 & went from a walker to two canes, then finally one cane (with AFOs.)
But I still use the power chair until noon just to save on my legs around the house, & it is great for the occasional outing when I know there will be a lot of walking involved. I actually haven’t taken it out of my yard for a few years now, but just the knowing I can helps me mentally. I did use a manual when we went to Las Vegas in Jan, & also when we went to Orlando in Feb. How I hated to be pushed around again! BTW I do have a minivan with a power lift for my chair, the big back seat is stored up in the garage. I hope it makes your life a lot easier, it sure saves on energy…
Blessings, Pam

OKAY, HEY NORB, I’VE BEEN USING A WHEELCHAIR SINCE 1999. I LOOK AT IT AS A BLESSING! WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT ONE (on the floor)! IT MAKES ME MORE MOBILE AND IT PREVENTS THE FALLS FROM HAPPENING. YOU CAN DECORATE IT AT HOLIDAY TIMES. I USE A MANUAL WHEELCHAIR ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE NO-ONE WHO WILL TRANSPORT ME OR NO WAY TO BE TRANSPORTED IN A POWER CHAIR.

Norb, A power chair is great, I have a Jazzy 600. I can go anywhere independently for a change, and you dont get so tired out. I can really hit the Mall in Sioux Falls, leaving hubby on a bench watching girls.

One warning, unless its just a lady driver. Your walls and woodwork may take a beating!!!! I had it a year last July and no problems. It is a heavy duty to get around outside. Now if I could just figure out how to get it and me down the river bank to our pontoon. I had several bad falls and I feel very safe with the chair. Good luck and hope you meds work. I am still waiting to hear from Mayo. Patience“““““Regina

I have a power chair. It is a Pride Jazzy 600. I did alot of research on line and I ordered it from a company I found there. I had alot of trouble with the order, etc. so I would not recommend them. However, they gave me the same answer about Medicare. My records show I have a manual chair, therefore a power chair is not necessary. I would try to get your Dr. to intervene. I gave up and just got it for my 67th birthday present. I paid $4000 for mine, with free shipping and no taxes. Good luck, I love zipping around the stores and malls. I can leave the ole crabby hubby behind, just joking,, he is great, just hates shopping. Hope you find one. Regina