Fifth time the charm?
If you have read through this blog you know we have a history with wheelchairs and the companies that deal with them. In the past I have not identified the companies by name, I try not to do that, nor do I identify teachers, nurses, etc. This post will be an exception.
I made the first call and sent the first email three months ago. Pearlsky’s chair needs new covers for her laterals and head thingy, not a big deal but they are ripped and old. Much more important, the first time I contacted them, I told the DME (Durable Medical Equipment, the type of company that sells wheelchairs, etc.) that Pearlsky’s right wheel, the primary big one, FELL OFF. This was about three months ago. Today it fell off for the fifth time. They have been notified every time. Note that it comes off the axle bearing, it does not come completely off the chair, but the chair becomes un-wheelable and un-pushable, the chair lists heavily to the side, as does Pearlsky, and it takes two people to fix.
Remember, in this state it is ILLEGAL for me to pay the company for a part for the wheelchair. I CANNOT LEGALLY buy parts, they MUST go through insurance, that automatically adds weeks, but typically not months.
Today I wrote an email to the manager of the regional office of the DME, National Seating and Mobility, to the Chief Operating Officer of National Seating and Mobility, and to the Director of National Accounts at Sunrise Medical (the manufacturer of the Quickie wheelchair). This is NOT the first email the first two have seen. The previous email, concerning the fourth time the wheel fell off, was sent over two weeks ago. It is the first time I am getting the manufacturer involved.
To be fair, after four times, the DME did say:
Unless you are with Pearlsky all day there could be a situation that she gets into that causes the release. Will have them added to the current work order.
I don’t really understand the first sentence and I know nothing of the “current work order.” The “them” being the proper parts for repair. That email (remember, this started over three months ago) was sent to me 17 days ago, and I have heard nothing since.
And here is email number five on this topic …
It has been months and still no lateral or headrest covers, I sort of get that.
The right wheel on Pearlsky’s wheelchair CAME OFF AGAIN TODAY. This time I twisted my ankle when it happened as the chair jerked unexpectedly. I am a bit sore but okay.
How long do I have to go with a wheelchair WHERE THE WHEEL CONTINUALLY COMES OFF? It has been months that I am reporting this. Does this not constitute something “important”?
I BEG OF YOU, PLEASE FIX PEARLSKY’S CHAIR.
I know it is illegal in this state for me to buy the parts from you, but can you give me the part numbers that I need and I will order them myself?
THIS IS INSANE.
Can you PLEASE fix Pearlsky’s wheelchair so the wheel does not fall off?
Where the hell is my RV?
I wish you had a photo of those dudes. I’ve always wondered what an asshat looks like.
I have had it with wheelchair vendors and the paperwork involved with ordering parts. I have been treated like I am a crazed parent for continually calling to make sure the order is being processed, and yet the parts still do not get ordered, or the DME technician forgets to bring them to the appointment. I don’t even know how to get a second opinion when I feel like part of the wheelchair system is just not right.
I’m sorry Pearlsky has to be bothered with this, too. I’m sorry you were physically hurt when the chair failed… yes, the chair failed! I am tired of wheelchair failure!!! I am tired of it feeling like I am buying a used car every time my son’s wheelchair needs an adjustment!!
You essentially are buying a new car…Pearlsky’s wheelchair costs more than my first car! It makes me sick that you all have to wait so long for something so vital.
Had to mention, of course, their wheelchairs are more important than my car. If necessary, I have other ways of getting around and if anything happens, I can take is somewhere and have it back within a few hours. It should be that way with a wheelchair. Something as essential as a wheelchair should get looked at right away.
Urg! This is why I find myself saying I hate people!
I know I shouldn’t, but I’m laughing.
And I imagine that “these dudes” look much like the Monty Python guys in the skit “Argument Clinic.”
I swear to God, if I come into money, I am buying damn RV’s for all my friends. Time to get the hell out of dodge for some of us. The question is, what RV camping/parking spot do we all converge at?
Frankly, that’s just unacceptable. I hope the wheel is fixed soon.
We ordered a walker for our 3 year old son through National Seating and Mobility in November 2012. It took them 6 months just to send someone out to measure him. Then they told us our insurance won’t cover the thing, even though every time we called the insurance ourselves, they told us that the walker would be covered. We eventually gave up, having no other options of DME companies to order through, and ended up borrowing one from another little boy who no longer needed his. It really seems like screwing people over with bad customer service is part of their mission statement.
This has to change—every single thing about it, including the utter ridiculousness of not being able to simply buy what one needs, which also guarantees that the normal market forces of competition are eliminated, so prices can be absurdly inflated while quality and innovation (and service,
of course)suffer, since these companies and vendors know they’ve got us over a barrel. Maybe the online sites will be the wedge that starts to open this field up.
I have this secret fantasy of starting a 24 hour wheelchair repair business. All the wheelchair technicians would dress in superhero costumes and ride in on motorcycles.
“Unless you are with Pearlsky all day there could be a situation that she gets into that causes the release.”
What, like when you are PUSHING her? What a, what a, what a ______…well fill in the blank please!
Clearly, Pearlsky breaks the wheel herself. She is just pretending to be severely disabled in order to mess with your head.
I liken DME companies who actually care about the individual to unicorns. Good luck.