Tip to help those in need,power Chairs,and wheel Chair Used but good.

[BlackRoze]

A friend of mine was a manager for the Good Will Corporation, and Informed me today that a lot of the Good Wills Store now will give people wheel chairs, and power chairs at no cost, that was donated. They do receive a lot of manual ones. Just call your local store and ask them if they have any. If they don't they can put you on a list to receive one when they have them.
Just a Tip to those who may need one.:)

[Bobbi]

Awesome, BlackRoze! Thank you so much for sharing the info. from your friend :).

Given what GW Industries is doing, it might sound a bit ungrateful yet I am curious: Do you think your friend might know if some of the stores possibly receive lighter weight chairs - under 25 lbs.?

It feel (inside) like rude or picky or just something - to me - that I'm even asking, considering that GW is giving away chairs; it's just... well, I could really, totally use a lighter weight one. Maybe others could too. The waiting list, that's also okay; it's so great that the give-aways could also help or make a huge difference for many people. And, I should be more appreciative of the one I already have; it's that it's still too heavy, though, for me to transport, etc., by myself. But, if possibly getting an even lighter weight one might mean someone else won't get one, I will wait. I have one. Everyone who needs one should have one :cool:.

[Chemar]

I am so glad you posted this Roze as I was wondering what to do with the wheelchair and walkers etc that belonged to my husband's mom, who passed away this week.

what a blessing that the GW is providing this valuable service.

[Lara]

Wow, that's great they do that. Nothing like that here. I hire one for 30 AU$ a month from the local Red Cross so I can get certain things done where I can't walk around a huge shopping centre for hours. I'm ok just quickly getting in and out of a corner store, but need one now for long shopping trips. It'd be cheaper for me to buy my own but can't do that just yet.

Bobbi, are you still using your old one? How on earth do you fold it up and put it in the boot of the car?

[Bobbi]

Lara, I'm still using my old one; thanks to people (such as yourself) I have narrowed down a list of lighter-weight chairs after doing a lot of looking and reading. (Went through a job transition a few months ago, so I am holding off on out-of-pocket med. expenses until I am feeling totally confident things will remain okay. My new policy will cover a portion of the cost, though ;).)

I have to arrange for assistance in transporting my chair. It weighs about 30 pounds (a bit over that) but it may as well weigh 100 since I still can't lift it. It's a major hindrance having to rely on others for something such as being able to use a chair that's intended to help with independence.

I didn't really know what I was looking for in a "lightweight" chair when I got mine. Now, I know that there are many that weigh much less :D.

[Lara]

I have to arrange for assistance in transporting my chair. It weighs about 30 pounds (a bit over that) but it may as well weigh 100 since I still can't lift it. It's a major hindrance having to rely on others for something such as being able to use a chair that's intended to help with independence.

Well, that's what I thought.
I couldn't understand how you would be able to do it on your own. One day you'll have that nifty new one and you'll be more independent then. That's something that'll change your life completely.

Great to see you, Bobbi!
As always :)

[Dmom3005]

Bobbi you should also be able to call or go into Goodwill in any town and
ask them. You could also explain the situation to them. I would think that
they would be willing to listen to the situation and answer your question.

You can also go onto the site for goodwill on the net and ask those kind
of questions.




Donna

[BlackRoze]

Awesome, BlackRoze! Thank you so much for sharing the info. from your friend :).

Given what GW Industries is doing, it might sound a bit ungrateful yet I am curious: Do you think your friend might know if some of the stores possibly receive lighter weight chairs - under 25 lbs.?

It feel (inside) like rude or picky or just something - to me - that I'm even asking, considering that GW is giving away chairs; it's just... well, I could really, totally use a lighter weight one. Maybe others could too. The waiting list, that's also okay; it's so great that the give-aways could also help or make a huge difference for many people. And, I should be more appreciative of the one I already have; it's that it's still too heavy, though, for me to transport, etc., by myself. But, if possibly getting an even lighter weight one might mean someone else won't get one, I will wait. I have one. Everyone who needs one should have one :cool:.


A lot of the chair's that come in there are only a few years old and all type from very expensive ones to the cheaper ones. I've seen a few that was only a month old come threw there as well. So there is a good chance of getting a light weight chair.Also a lot of nursing home updates their chair every 2 years and donates them to Good Will Cop., so do hospitals, cause they must keep up to date equipment on hand. Most hospitals in Maryland donates chairs to Good Will all the time , when they order new ones. You would be shocked at what they get, you just about name it they get it, or will get it.:)

As a matter of fact that where i got mine from, light weight and coasted over $900.00 and they gave it to me for free.

[Curious]

they also will do this for walkers, canes and crutches. other "medical devices" as they get them donated.

they usually have those out for sale. just ask to speak to the manager.

thank you blackroze for starting this thread. :hug:

[sassy]

I have a friend who is great need of a small, lightweight wheelchair. I'm going to check the local GW tomorrow.

Thanks for the tip!

[TheSleeper]

I am not totally sure how their distribution system works but they had a big center on east 55th street in Cleveland that during my working years I picked up and delivered to occasionally. That one had electric and manual chairs sitting around that had been donated.

All kinds of stuff, some off the wall made it there, some straight into a dumpster, I think in such poor condition not really a use to anyone.

They also provided jobs to people with disabilities I believe, light assembly work and such?

[PolarExpress]

For those who live near any of the Mayo Clinics, they donate a ton of stuff all the time. In Rochester, MN, the Salvation Army gets their tossed off office equipment, desks, furniture, wheelchairs, etc..They sell them, but the prices are extremely reasonable. I bought a new foam backrest with headrest for our wheelchair there last week, and it cost $15..This was brand new, still in the plastic covering..

[mhcinc]

This is a great idea !!

[kicker]

Your post reminda me to donate my wheeled walkers I no longer use (in a power chair) to Salvation Army. Not doing mr any good and in the way.

[littletsunshine]

We tried this when I was shopping for my chair and the Goodwill manager here basically laughed at us and was kinda rude. So any of you that are in Missoula MT save yourself the time and embarrasement. We were told they dont do that and any wheelchairs they had were out on the floor and clearly marked with a price. I even had my RX for the wheelchair with me. If anyone is in Missoula looking for a chair Summit independant living actually gives them away but had none that fit me. :(

[CrystalSword]

I picked up a walker at Goodwill yesterday for hubby and our store here gives NOTHING away, they charged him $25 for his walker...so that is another expense with him paying full price for his meds....we still have not found help with that! I looked online for a new health insurance company and they want $400 a month clear up to almost $1400 a month for both of us to be covered...I might as well start looking for that bridge to live under!

[billie]

Dear CrystalSword, I picked up a pamphlet at the Senior Citizens Center entitled free medicine foundation, USA Bureau of Prescription Help. The toll free # is 1-888-812-5152. The web site is www.FreeMedicine.com. Hope this helps. I don't know anymore about it, as I am too shaky to fill out the application! billie

[CrystalSword]

I'm checking it out right now, Billie, thank you so much!

[Abasaki]

On our Medication Forum there are links to many pharmaceutical company's patient assistant programs.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread13042.html (http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread13042.html)


I hope this helps.
:hug:
Abbie

[CrystalSword]

Billie,
He applied today to the www.freemedicine.com and paid them $110...lets hope he gets approved! Two people can make $58,000 and we only make $24,000 between us so we should be fine...he has ELEVEN prescriptions he needs and he wanted to do away with all but the ones for his diabetes...he's been off insulin for 2 weeks now....so once he is back on the lantus it'll take a couple three weeks to get him back to normal again.

That is the only one that he hasn't been taking because he ran out....he has the rest of them...a three month supply...we couldn't get his Spiriva but the dr. did have samples yesterday and its something he did not run out of...we actually have about three months worth of that now, with what he got yesterday, I think he was due to run out the end of this month or in the first week of next month.

Thanks again Billie!!

[CrystalSword]

Dear CrystalSword, I picked up a pamphlet at the Senior Citizens Center entitled free medicine foundation, USA Bureau of Prescription Help. The toll free # is 1-888-812-5152. The web site is www.FreeMedicine.com. Hope this helps. I don't know anymore about it, as I am too shaky to fill out the application! billie

You can fill in the application online....you do not have to mail it in, or you can call the 888# they list...hubby is quite shaky as well!