u/Key_Start7746

So I’m looking at getting my first active manual chair soon and have tried a few out now. My dream would be a Motion Composite Apex C but alas that is but a dream out of my reach! 😆 I’m leaning towards the Nitrum as it’s not got an absolutely astronomical price tag whilst still remaining lightweight enough that I can manage it. I know the weight difference between that and the Argon 2 isn’t huge but it’s enough of a difference that I can’t manage it very well independently compared to the Nitrum so I’ve ruled that one out even though I could easily get that fully funded by my local wheelchair services but I need something that gives me the highest level of independence whilst still being affordable! I’ve got a charity involved to help try and secure some funding to cover the remaining amount that WCS won’t cover in the PWB.

Is this a good active chair to start with?

Just some background I’m a full time wheelchair user and have been using a powered wheelchair for the past 7 years. I will still have a power chair in fact my new one from the Motability Scheme should be arriving in the next two and a half to four weeks which is very exciting! I’m getting the Quickie Q500M with power lift, rise, recline, tilt and power footplate rise as well as switch controls and LCD display which were the two extras I requested I’m currently using the Invacare Aviva RX20 with seat rise and tilt and honestly it doesn’t even close to meet my needs anymore! It’ll feel very strange having two chairs though but it’ll meet all or almost all of my needs having both chairs!

So I’ve picked my new active chair I’m going for the Quickie Nitrum in sparkly pink because what’s not to love?! Anyway I’m wondering how worthwhile it is to get insurance I know they don’t cover wheels or inner tubes does insurance cover the wheels or is that a no too? The cost of the inner tubes and tires is practically nothing so that’s a cost I’ll always make sure to always have in my account specifically to only be used for that and nothing else. However I’m a total newbie to the world of manual active wheelchairs having used power chairs for the past 7 years with the exception of the great big heavy tanks the NHS gives you as a back up or in some peoples case as their only chair (which totally sucks by the way). What are some of the most common issues that can happen with manual chairs? One of the dealers that came out basically said that there’s not much point in insurance as the only thing to break is the tires and inner tubes is this true? Either way I’m not going with that dealer but I’d like to know what to do for the best? I’ll be going through WCS to get a PWB so that I’m able to pick my own chair and not be stuck with whatever they think is best for me that is unless they say they will fund the Nitron which is unlikely as they usually only supply the Argon 2 which I didn’t get on with when I tried it I know the weight difference isn’t massive but it did make a big difference in how well I was able to push myself independently! And I tried iy with the contoured jay backrest and ergonomic push rims which obviously add weight but without those I’ve got no chance whatsoever of getting myself around without help!

Where do you guys tend to go for insurance? Because WCS won’t be doing repairs for me I need to ensure I’ve got some way of paying my supplier to do those repairs if any are needed!

TIA