Manual to Power chair as a ‘just in case’ or ‘just for when’?
I’ve been a manual ultralight wheelchair user for the past four years. In about a year, I will qualify for an updated or new mobility device through my state insurance and have been starting to think about it. I absolutely love my chair, there’s almost nothing I’d change about it, and it’s still in great condition. But I have had nothing but drama with the SmartDrive, and it’s many bugs and recalls. While I want to be an active manual user for as long as possible, and don’t currently have the funds for an accessible van, I’m wondering if I should try to get a power chair covered next year.
Part of me is worried that my health insurance will not cover such a huge expense down the road (if they even will next year, no guarantee, but my manual and smart drive were fully covered 4 yrs ago), when I truly need it, and I will become unnecessarily housebound and decline in health from lack of mobility. Being a manual chair user is not easy for me physically and there are many situations I can’t handle in my chair that I could if I were in a power chair. My condition is also degenerative and its likely if not assured that I will eventually 100% need a power chair, I just don’t know when. I’m 40 with spina bifida occulta, recurrent tethered cord, syringomyelia and heds, so I‘m looking at a decade maybe or less of this level of mobility? There’s no way to know. As of now my shoulders and arms can only handle limited distances and a crooked sidewalk, overly steep ramp or grass absolutely wipes me out. Getting my chair in and out of the car is exhausting and risks further injury every time.
On the other hand, I’m not sure I would qualify for it if I don’t technically need it yet for basic ADLs and am getting around in my manual. I also drive still and that independence is a big deal for me as a single mom. I don’t know how I would fund an accessible van and there’s no way a power chair could fit in my SUV.
Wondering if anyone else has had experience with getting a power chair as a manual chair user that’s struggling but still getting around and if this was a good idea or if insurance would not cover it. I don’t think it would be as useful for me to request a new ultralight manual when my current one is so nearly perfect and I already have a less great backup for flying/travel (which I don’t do anyway). I’m probably overthinking it but curious if anyone has been in a similar boat.