Permobil Power Standing Wheelchair for Heather

Hi, My name is Brenda. My daughter, Heather, was born at 28 weeks and she has Spastic Quadraplegic Cerebral Palsy. Her main ability to get around has always been with a wheelchair or by dragging her legs behind her and pulling herself with her arms. In August of 2022, she had to have surgery on her knee. Since then she is unable to get on the floor to get around. She is now completely dependent on the use of a power wheelchair. The wheelchair she currently has is 8 years old. Her chair started having problems as it wouldn't hold a charge. We had the batteries replaced twice and it still would not hold a charge so they tried a new charger. This still did not work. Then they tried to put a new battery box on the wheelchair and that did not work. Her current chair will only last for 2 hours before she has to sit still and let it try and charge for 3 hours so she can get around for another 2 hours. During this time her chair is beeping at her continuously to charge it.

Because nothing Rockford Orthopedic Appliance tried to do. fixed her existing chair, we decided it was time to get a new chair. We started the lengthy process that was necessary for insurance to cover the cost of the chair. The physical therapist, the representative of the wheelchair company, Rockford Orthopedic Appliance, and an agent from the insurance company all did the physical assessments and paperwork required to get approval for payment from the insurance company. During this assessment, everyone realized that a standing wheelchair would be of greater benefit to Heather than a power wheelchair that does not offer that option.

The insurance company has approved a new power wheelchair but NOT with a standing function. The standing function in our eyes is very medically necessary for Heather. With the standing function, it will help to decrease her spasticity, scoliosis, pressure ulcers, and progression of contractures. The standing function will improve muscle and joint flexibility, circulation, bone health, enhanced breathing, better bowel and bladder function, enhanced social interactions by placing her at eye level while conversing, increase control of head and trunk against gravity, and improved use of her arms.

The funds we raise will pay for the standing option on the power wheelchair.