Hello. I'm a full-time wheelchair user.

My wheelchair is warped and is too large for me. I keep tearing my rotator cuffs, and it's getting harder to push by the day. In late July, I'm getting surgery on my right shoulder to repair some of the damage this warping has caused; that shoulder keeps subluxing.

You can see the increased wear on one tire vs the other.

I need a new wheelchair, but insurance won't cover a new one for over 2 more years. My PCP tried to get a new one covered, but the appeal failed.

Both my PCP and ortho have written Letters of Medical Necessity to verify the need for a new wheelchair due to the damage and bad fit.

If your wheelchair doesn't fit, or is broken, injuries add up. You have to reach out further than you should to make each push, every time; it's as if you had to swing your feet around an obstacle for every step you take.

And the costs are considerable. A wheelchair that will last, and works for an active user, costs $5,000-10,000 for the frame, depending on your needs; the cushion doesn't always come with the chair and has to be bought after. They cost $300-500 and have to be replaced every 1-2 years, along with casters ($160/pair, yearly) and tires ($200 yearly).

Repairs and upkeep continue after you get the chair.

Besides my activities of daily living, I walk my dog every day. It's getting more difficult.

Thanks for your help, and for stopping by!