Transfer Lifts

[ChrisinGA]

Hi, all. I didn't see this issue addressed elsewhere in this forum so I decided to tap the combined wisdom of the readers myself.

Let me start out by saying that, in my case, spina bifida means paralysis from the waist down and all that goes along with that. That said, for most of my life, I have been using various types of transfer boards to transfer back and forth between my wheelchair and my bed. I'm starting to have problems transferring that way and would like to switch to using a transfer lift. All the transfer lifts I've ever seen are made for people whose legs hang down--thus, my problem. My legs and knees are inflexible and stick out straight so I need a lift that accommodates that. Therefore, I'm thinking a custom made lift may be necessary. Has anyone ever had any experience with such things? Does anyone have any sources I might be able to contact to see about getting such a lift? Thanks in advance for any information.

[dahliafaolan]

I can't say that I've ever seen a transfer lift for chair to bed and vice versa like you're speaking of, but I have seen one that would get from bed to somewhere else, so long as you were in a supine position. It was a lift system that I had seen in the hospital to use to get a patient from the gurney to the hydrotherapy tank. Now I have seen a super size sling transfer lift. I remember that I had a little difficulty with my right leg in it due to the severe contracture that keeps me from straightening my right leg at all, but my left leg was great in it. I think it was actually the sling scale that they used in the hospital for the bed bound, but I think the sling system could work on another lift.