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Silver folding frame with a half-folding backrest, push handles, adjustable armrests, and swing-away footrests. Bright blue and black seat cushion and backrest pads, secured with Velcro. Quick-release wheels with solid puncture-proof tyres. Lever brakes and steppers to assist carers in manoeuvring the chair up and down kerbs.
This is the first wheelchair I bought after having loaned a Red Cross chair for a month. It had good reviews on the CareCo website and seemed to be a popular choice. I was unsure how much I would need to use a wheelchair and hoped it wouldn’t be for long-term use. It is relatively inexpensive and weighs 13.9kg with everything attached. The wheels detach, making it easier and lighter to stow in a car, although I can manage to lift it into the car myself on a good day.
I struggle with fatigue, and this isn’t an easy chair to self-propel for any distance, but I bought it with the understanding that I would have someone with me to push. The self-propelling feature simply gives me a little independence to tweak my position. The adjustable armrests fold down to allow easy access when sitting at a table, which is a nice feature. The centre of gravity is quite far back, so it doesn’t tip over accidentally unless there’s a heavy weight at the back and no one is sitting in the chair. A carer can easily tilt the chair using the steppers when needed for small steps.
The seat pads are thin and not suitable for sitting for long periods without moving. However, I can shift my position and don’t tend to stay in it for more than two hours at a time, so it’s comfortable enough for me. The seat pads can become a bit sweaty on hot days, but placing a piece of cotton fabric or a small towel between my skin and the chair resolves this. I believe it is a great starter chair for a part-time wheelchair user.
