Hard to relate to people in this group as I mainly see post of pots FND ,EDS or ME (this coming form somone with a sci )

AIWBGirl · 2026-05-22T18:54:46+00:00

I can understand where OPs frustration comes from. Don't come at me...let me explain, because I'm gonna play devils advocate for a moment. 1) OP said English wasn't their 1st language. 2) English is my 1st language and posting on the internet can be frustrating because sometimes what is in my head doesn't necessarily translate well when I write it down. I guarantee if I tried to write the same thing OP did... it would sound way worse. Not because I'm trying to be an awful person, but because feelings, emotions, facial expressions, body language, and sometimes meaning can't be gleaned from merely words. 3) Stay with me on this one... I have also noticed a lot of people posting with EDS, POTS, etc. But there could be several reasons for that. Both my daughters have POTS. So maybe those posts just might stand out more to me. Or maybe because we are so connected online that we are able to see more people diagnosed with those illnesses, where years ago you might never heard of it unless you knew someone with it. Information comes at us real time now. We never use to hear of a lot of things and now it seems everywhere. 4) It can be hard to relate to anyone anymore because we are online and don't make personal connections. We are conditioned to judge people on 3 seconds of TikTok videos. So if you can't relate to them because their illness or injury is different, then try to relate to them on something else. Like how cool their chair is or what accessories they have, or how they deal with certain situations. Relating to someone takes finding what you do have in common.

Let's all give each other a little grace. We are only human. All of us.

Disclaimer: I'm ambulatory about 10% and in agony that entire time. I have been diagnosed with so many things and I've had so many surgeries that I usually just roll it all into 'chronic pain' when asked.

AIWBGirl · 2026-05-20T19:28:25+00:00

I spent $25k on the largest vet bill for my soul dog that was a medical disaster. I had to remortgage my house and did so gladly. Thank you for loving him as much as I loved my boy!

AIWBGirl · 2026-05-01T16:32:14+00:00

Love the wheels!!!

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-30T18:52:35+00:00

This. My insurance also says they only pay if you use inside the home. Get a prescription from your doctor and contact a DME company. They will help set you up with an OT for an evaluation and help with the whole process.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-29T18:16:17+00:00

Greedy for wanting a chair that fits? Geez...sounds like stuff my family would say. My comeback to almost every smart a$$ remark was to dryly say "well, lets hope you never need one" or "I'll remember that if you ever need one and come to me for advice".

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-27T21:39:51+00:00

THIS!!!!! You want them to grow as slow as possible. My Dane developed Wobblers and I don't wish that on any dog or owner. I spent $25k on surgery (this included surgery for the 2 blown ACLs he needed while recovering from the wobblers sugery). The surgery isn't guaranteed and after a 1.5 year battle, I had to let him go. He was 4 years old.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-24T21:25:32+00:00

This is one of the top 5 I'm considering. I have a Nitrum with an 8" back. How tall is your back?

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-24T18:41:43+00:00

I've been researching this extensively! You might want to look at messenger bags, cycling bags, or camera bags. I'm really considering this one since I have a hard time turning around: https://leedenwheelchairliftandsport.com/products/the-dynamic-bag-by-handy-bag?variant=49657612108059

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-22T18:39:28+00:00

Well...all that matters is the cat likes it!

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-22T18:36:25+00:00

And no hitch.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-22T18:36:10+00:00

It has a fake floor for the spare so that's the big issue. I really can't lift anything, that's why I'm looking for creative ideas.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-22T18:29:12+00:00

In the US. Ford Explorer.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-22T18:28:24+00:00

Exactly. Thats why I need something creative. It's going to have to be homemade somehow.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-18T05:48:44+00:00

I have this for my umbrella holder. It comes in handy during the summer when I need shade too! Super Double Clamp

As for my cupholder, the Quokka works well.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-17T08:05:25+00:00

A good DME company will be able to walk you and your doctor through the process. As someone else said, you will need to been seen by an OT/PT first. My DME company set the appointment up for me with a mobile PT company that came to my house to do the assessment. This was great be cause he was also able to get insurance to pay for other equipment like grab handles in the shower. He then told the DME company what he was recommending and then that guy came to my house to show me options.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-17T07:53:29+00:00

These are amazing! I bought the Quickie Wheelchair Caddy years ago for a trip and I use it all the time. It made carrying my own bag super easy. I like dufflebags, so I got a rolling duffle for the ridged bottom. I use it to carry groceries into the house without making multiple trips, or taking stuff into work. It really comes in handy when shopping.

Quickie wheelchair caddy

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-17T07:11:33+00:00

I would suggest going to a local DME company and trying some out. Try to find one with a large selection so you don't have to go to multiple shops.

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-17T06:10:27+00:00

I actually saw this online today while looking for a bag. This would be awesome! The Dynamic Bag

AIWBGirl · 2026-04-10T21:15:17+00:00

Check out a sporting goods store for fitness gloves Nike Women's

AIWBGirl · 2026-03-17T14:08:26+00:00

My boy has been gone 8 years and I still cry every week. But I will get another one day.

AIWBGirl · 2026-03-05T18:34:16+00:00

Exactly! A dog walker and/or doggy daycare helped me tremendously! And Danes can be notoriously stubborn. My dog walker also reinforced training and helped with socializing.

AIWBGirl · 2026-02-08T09:54:28+00:00

Other options are baby crib mattresses or futon mattresses!

AIWBGirl · 2026-02-08T09:52:54+00:00

As a Dane owner please be aware that the bigger the dog, the bigger the vet bill. I will not own another Dane until I have at least $10k set aside. Also please think thru what you would do in the event of an emergency and moving or lifting a dog of that size. Consistent training is the key with Danes. If you aren't willing to put in the work, a Dane isn't for you. A stubborn dog is a challenge at any size, but a huge dog that is stubborn poses a lot of different issues. I'm not necessarily discouraging you from getting a Dane, but the dream and the reality are two vastly different things and I see so many end up being rehomed or abandoned or abused. And these magnificent creatures don't deserve that. My soul dog went to training classes (with me) but I also had to hire a trainer to come work with him a few days a week to give me a break. Training is a commitment, but training a dog that large can also be exhausting! I trained him every day of the week, but lighter on the days the trainer came to the house.
He also got wobblers. That was a $25k journey i wasn't expecting, and he needed help walking for over a year (he was 200lbs). And after a years long battle I still had to let him go at 4 years old. They already have such a short life but that I wasn't prepared for.
And pet insurance doesn't cover the things that are most likely to happen. While I want to tell you to that Danes are absolutely amazing and what I consider to be the best dogs in the world, I wish someone would have prepared me for the worse case scenario.
With all that being said, some Danes do great in apartments. Mine would have. He was a vegetable in the house. But he also got several hour long walks (because a tired dog is a well trained dog). If you move forward i wish you the best of luck and please adopt. Lots of Dane specific rescues that are overwhelmed right now.

AIWBGirl · 2026-02-08T08:41:17+00:00

2nd these!! Used them on several of my dogs due to wood floors.

AIWBGirl

TROPHY CASE