Picture at the top if the page

[Dodger67]

The wheelchair in the small image in the "user info block" at the top of the page looks quite interesting. Does anyone know anything about it?

I'm going to be looking for a new lightweight travelling chair sometime soon. My current chair is quite heavy and not so easy to stow in the car (I drive a small hatchback - not a big van).

[Barb]

Its a Colours. C has had two Colours chairs and we really liked them. I personally like them better than the new ti-lite he has but that is just me.

http://www.colourswheelchair.com/

http://tilite.com/

[Dodger67]

Thanks Barb!

The Colours range looks really awesome! But they don't have a South African dealer:mad: I see the team featured in the Murderball movie uses their chairs

Tilite does have SA dealers but their chairs are "ordinary".:(

[lolathechecker]

:Dtry ebay. alot of people will ship worldwide, so maybe you could save a bit of cash and get it delivered! all around good!

[Barb]

Thanks Barb!

The Colours range looks really awesome! But they don't have a South African dealer:mad: I see the team featured in the Murderball movie uses their chairs

Tilite does have SA dealers but their chairs are "ordinary".:(

We went with TiLite this year because after C's detethering he needed something lighter. I cannot tell you how many times we have been stopped by other chair users to ask questions about it. It is very light since it is titanium but yeah, I agree, it is very bland looking. His colours chairs were black stars and then bright yellow so it sort of had an identity.

Send them an email---they may work with you. One of the guys in the video clip actually built C's last chair. This ti-lite was specked by a non chair user and you can tell. I think there is a lot to say for having another chair user make your chair.

I still have to see Murderball. Which reminds me that some of the younger families may not know about a great Disney movie that was done years ago starring Frankie Munez as a boy with spina bifida who races. It is called: Miracle in Lane 2

[Dodger67]

I'm far too fussy to ever buy a second hand E-bay offering.
I will never ever buy a non-custom chair, my chair must be made to my own specifications. I'll probably go back to the firm that made my last 3 chairs - but get the lightweight model this time.:cool:

[Dodger67]

Too expensive:mad: The SA Rand is funny-money when converted to US$ :eek:

I HATE! HATE! HATE! sticky sweet movies that make "some poor crippled kid" out to be some kind of superhero. He/She is just an ordinary schmuck who does what he/she has got to do to make it in life.
The raw undecorated honesty of Murderball works for me - the people are really just regular hardass jocks - the same as any elite athletes.
So what is your excuse for not having seen it yet? Are there no video rental shops in your 'hood? If they don't have it get them to order it for you.

[Barb]

:Dtry ebay. alot of people will ship worldwide, so maybe you could save a bit of cash and get it delivered! all around good!

Usually if you can afford it, or your insurance will pay (most will) you should have your chair custom made. There are so many variables that go into a chair. Until you buy one, it is easy to think it is a one size fits all kind of thing but it is so much more complicated than that.

Also, the ebay shipping thing might be a nightmare. I know that when I send Kali anything it can take months for her to get it.

[Dodger67]

In this country "insurance" like that only comes if you became disabled in an on the job accident, even then their "standard rate" for wheelchairs only cover the price of a plain vanilla, "hospital style" chair. Private medical aid is expensive - I can only afford a "hospital plan" that doesn't pay for wheelchairs etc at all.
I paid the equivalent of about US$2000 for my current chair about 4 years ago. But $2000 here is nothing like the same as $2000 there.

To translate it to "equivalent" terms - the chair cost the same as 2 months salary for a high-school teacher - or 4000 cans of cola.

[Barb]

I should have said most US Insurance companies. :o

and on the movie thing....i like sickening sweet movies of any kind. I am the "chick flick" queen :)

[lolathechecker]

i didnt realize there were so many specifications. im sorry, my only experience with wheelchairs up until this point has been when i was in the hospital a few years ago to have my first daughter. i usually resort to ebay when i cant find things that are sold locally, like my diapers im using, etc.

[Barb]

Lola, you don't need to be sorry when you learn something new :)

[Dodger67]

Absolutely agree, don't be sorry!
Just be glad that you now know - so that when you take your kid wheelchair shopping you won't be a total "noob"!:p

[lolathechecker]

haha. i like the word noob. i havent heard that one. im gonna start using it! but yeah, im trying to learn as much as possible, so i wont get sold on the most expensive wheelchair out there just because some sales guy says its the one for my girl. :D

[Dodger67]

Don't go for the cheapy either though!
Depending on the time spent in the chair - in my case its full time - the specs get stricter.
For occasional use - like for someone who usually walks but uses the chair for long distances or rough ground - a fairly simple "generic" chair is acceptable.

For a full time user the fit must be perfect. To maximise comfort and mobility. Minimise strain and possibility of injuries. The biggest issue - to totally eliminate the risk of pressure sores! My chair is a good fit but as I get older (I'm 40) its getting heavy! I would prefer a chair that is a lot easier to handle getting in and out of my car. I wish I could afford to shop at Colours!:(

[Barb]

Agree with Dodger. This is one case where you want and need the best out there. Besides, if you are in the US, your insurance or Medicaid will likely pay.haha. i like the word noob. i havent heard that one. im gonna start using it! but yeah, im trying to learn as much as possible, so i wont get sold on the most expensive wheelchair out there just because some sales guy says its the one for my girl. :D