# ask the guy getting a new wheelchair **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 29, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536 "2010-09-29T23:37:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/1 "2010-09-29T23:37:55Z")
Today I started to proccess of getting a new wheelchair. Think of it as getting a new car. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/2 "2010-09-29T23:54:15Z")
How many cupholders? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/3 "2010-09-30T00:31:14Z")
unfortunately ZERO! (I only made the car analogy because most of you can’t relate to a wheelchair, but can relate to a car) ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/4 "2010-09-30T00:32:59Z")
Solid frame or folding? Any particular one tickle your fancy? I am really jonesing after a [trekinetic](http://www.trekinetic.com/home.html) but that price is seriously inhibiting… ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/5 "2010-09-30T00:50:02Z")
Solid folding. (back folds foward, wheels pop off) ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/6 "2010-09-30T02:40:44Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Solid folding. (back folds foward, wheels pop off) hopefully not while you are in it . :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/7 "2010-09-30T02:43:56Z")
Nope pudytat! That would be a PROBLEM! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/8 "2010-09-30T02:54:11Z")
Do you participate in any wheelchair sports? Have you narrowed it down yet? Any links? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/9 "2010-09-30T03:01:21Z")
not a wheelchair athlete. Sorry, no links. But here’s a brief description: Solid 1 piece leading down to a single foot pad, not separate pedals, and a solid back, wrapping around the trunk. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/10 "2010-09-30T03:01:56Z")
Get a [Hoveround](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKPeYrrhIvQ). ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/11 "2010-09-30T03:06:24Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Get a [Hoveround](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKPeYrrhIvQ). My muscles would go to Sugar Honey Iced Tea! ---
**Author:** ![clarkstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@clarkstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clarkstar)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/12 "2010-09-30T03:15:19Z")
are you paying for it or is insurance covering it? ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/13 "2010-09-30T03:32:26Z")
What makes it a “process”? What are the “must have” components? (How will the new wheelchair be different from what you already have?) ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/14 "2010-09-30T04:09:22Z")
Medicaire or Medicaid pays. Why it’ll be different: “sporty” and smaller. Needs to be foldable or at least light weight. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/15 "2010-09-30T05:03:07Z")
What’s wrong with your old wheelchair? How often does a wheelchair last, on average? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/16 "2010-09-30T05:07:55Z")
Kyla-chairs are usually replaced every 5 years (at least that’s what insurance allows) Think of it like replacing a running car w/100k miles on it. Servicable, but could do better. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/17 "2010-09-30T06:28:40Z")
I have friends who have several chairs, for different purposes, regular chair, sport chair, ultra lightweight for traveling … there is even a power chair that can get up to IIRC 11 miles per hour and a tracked monstrosity for offroading :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/18 "2010-09-30T09:32:45Z")
[World’s first double backflip on a wheelchair.](http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=52626) August 26, 2010. No question, just wanted to share this video. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![bartleby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bartleby/32/10491_2.png) [@bartleby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bartleby)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/19 "2010-09-30T11:41:50Z")
My son just got a new chair. it’s worth more than both our cars put together. yay insurance! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536/20 "2010-09-30T12:05:08Z")
My brother has a powered chair - the kind that adds a little extra juice to the wheels when you spin them. He doesn’t really like it, but he needs it to get up the ramp into his van, and the ability to drive is worth the bother. Besides, he usually turns the motor off. Insurance covered it, of course - but then, insurance covered 90% of his modified Chevy, too. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-getting-a-new-wheelchair/555536.md?page=2)