Electric scoooter
 

Scooters and Electric Wheelchairs are only available to you through Medicare if you need them to get around your home. A scooter is not a viable option for getting around your home as it is not good for getting close to counters and tables and probably won't fit in a lot of bathrooms. Lots of companies will push to sell the scooter as they have a better profit margin and some folks don't like the idea of using a wheelchair. It takes a medical clearance (certificate of medical need) filled out by your doctor, an office visit must be made within 90 days prior to the form submitted and you will have to wait for the pre-certification before it will be paid for. And only certain medical conditions will qualify you for getting one of these. A lot of companies will give you the chair/scooter before this because once you take it home you pay for it one way or another. I work in a doctors office and this paperwork is part of my job.

It just astounds me that the DeVos hall in GR would not provide rentals on site. They surely know that with the thousands(?) of people going (or wanting to go) that there would be a huge incentive to have them on site so "impulse" users could get one. They'd make soooo much more $$$$. I cannot justify the cost of rental AND delivery (x 2 days) and commit to being at a certain place at a certain time and have to wait, wait, wait for the chair to show up. And the chair rental company is going to make a FORTUNE charging exorbitant delivery fees for each chair going to the same location. So now instead of 2 days, it will be a short afternoon, with maybe only one or two classes, that is, if I can get into one without registering in advance. Everyone loses. After looking into available rentals/buys around my area, have determined I'd still need to get one of those ramp-things to be able to load it into my SUV. I am going to go up to one of the med. eq. places in town tho, to "try on" one of the smaller walkers with seats. Feeling pessimistic about it tho.

Harbor Freight has wheel chairs really resonable

If you or your hubby were in the military, you can check with your VFW to see if they have any rentals -- members get to use the equipment free. It's also a great place to donate equipment. Some churches offer this service too.

I checked out scooter rentals for the last show in Lancaster, PA, cost was $45 per day but problem was that I would have to be at a certain entrance (not the main one) at a pre arranged time to pick it up. I would have been going to the show with several other gals and there was no way I could tell them weeks in advance what time we would arrive. So this year I skipped the show and just went to hang out with my friends and shop.

I use a scooter at the supermarket when I do my big food shopping, only problem is that in some stores you do more walking going to get the key and then returning it than I would do for my whole shopping.

One tip for anyone else like me that can't walk long distances, especially at airports where you have to push your carryon bag while using a cane. You can rearrange for wheel chair escorts. Did that for recent trip to Las Vegas, I was met at the entrance of the terminal, wheeled right to the front of the check in line (DH got to go through with me), wheelchair attendant put all my stuff on the conveyer belt and even wanted to take my shoes off for me. I use a cane to walk and got to board the plane even before the first class passengers. DH boarded with me also and I couldn't lift my carry on bag up into the overhang. Wheelchair service is free but it's a good idea to tip the attendant, also needs to be arranged at least a day before your flight. DH was so tired that he arranged for a wheelchair escort for out trip back home as the Vegas airport was huge.

If any public place in the United States refuses to allow you to use your own "handicapped" necessary scooter or wheelchair they are breaking the law! If they tell you that you MUST use one of their scooters all you have to do is state I am Disabled and must use my own wheelchair/scooter. If they refuse to let you -tell them they are breaking the law. Do not let them intimidate you!
Sorry but I can't believe the nerve of any show vendor trying to break the law so blatently.

Kat

I sure see your point on this one. Wow, seems like highway robbery. Must be an alternative. Wish you luck

Sometimes the ELKS LODGE will loan a wheelchair to you. We borrowed one for my Mother when we would go back from Texas to stay with her in Indiana for a couple weeks to visit. You never know until you ask.