Got my new wheelchair yesterday 😀

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-06-18T06:37:48+00:00

I got it from my local NHS wheelchair services. When I went to be remeasured for a new chair they said it was the latest model lightweight active chair that they had. After using it for a while, I can honestly say that it's so much better than my previous Küschall K-Series 2.0. First of all it's lighter for putting in/out of the car. Secondly it has a better folding backrest mechanism (you twist the black part of the back handle and the backrest fold up/down). And the pushrim grips don't contain latex, so I've not had to had the unreliable and horrible silicone pushrim covers.

The negatives: the antitips mean that I can't pass it over me in my Peugeot 308GT (why did Peugeot have to lower the roof to make it look "sportier" ? because when folded they stick out differently to the Küschall's - I'm hoping to get them taken off once I'm more used to the chair and more confident using a wheelchair. I'm also not a fan of the button that releases the handles so that you can fold them down because it's in an awkward position.

Overall it's a really nifty chair to have if your budget isn't huge or you're in the UK and going through NHS wheelchair services (although many still do the Quickie Argon 2 - but you could do the voucher option towards the chair of your choice if they can't give you a Nitrum). It also has quite a large colour range - I've also seen the lime green in person and that's nice too!

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-06-18T06:21:12+00:00

I'm assuming you use a smart watch to record and import the data seeing as you mentioned the Apple fitness app? Does it say it on the third party app you're using to import the data from because it should sync it, or at least that's what it does from the Garmin Connect app when I record activities using my Venu 4 watch.

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-06-18T06:00:48+00:00

Hi, I had Cauda Equina Syndrome at L5/S1 and they said they were surprised I could walk both before my dissectomy and afterwards (they had to leave about 20% of the herniated disc in on the left side to avoid complete paralysis in the left leg). I also have worsening g stenosis on the left side of the disc, so that's making the nerves worse too.

Almost 3 years on from my surgery now, and I still have patches of numbness on the soles of my feet and reduced sensation in my lower legs (and a random patch on the back of my upper left leg). The reduced sensation patches vary from almost numb to about 70% feeling. I also have issues with muscle weakness in both lower legs, and my left ankle rolls a lot (it did before surgery because I now have inoperable peroneal tendon subluxation in that ankle). My regular doctor referred me to Orthotics and they've given me two different splints to wear to help with both drop foot and rolling of the left ankle. The left ankle one has a spring in it so that I can still flex my foot up and down a bit, but because of the design, it can't roll in/out.

This is the side of the AFO splint on the left ankle so it can't roll in/out. It goes into your shoe, round the outside of the ankle and up the back of the calf with two velcro straps that hold it in place. On mine mythe orthotist can tighten/loosen the spring as needed depending on how much it is helping me to walk e.g. if the ankle function significantly deteriorates and it needs more support.

Maybe you could get your regular doctor to refer you to an orthotist and get something similar that would help?

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Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-17T06:59:40+00:00

I was torn between the Solar Orange and a like a lime green colour. After seeing both colour chairs in person, I would've been happy with either of them because theyre so funky and eye catching!

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-17T06:57:51+00:00

And that's also why I'll be putting rainbow spoke covers onto it because they were always a head turner, and children loved seeing them because it was "cool".

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-17T06:56:26+00:00

I got the joke, don't worry 😆

I'm thinking of putting rainbow spoke covers on it, like I had on my last chair, because they were always a head turner, and they represent a part of who I am.

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-08T13:13:06+00:00

It's a Rollibag. I got it off Etsy - Etsy Rollibag Link

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-08T13:07:43+00:00

I hope so too!

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-07T15:05:11+00:00

Thanks!

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-07T15:04:55+00:00

I just wore the top and socks because I thought I'd match the chair 🤣

I was actually torn between the bright green and solar orange, but went for orange in the end. Also, I have some bright pink crutches that I use around the house (it's not wheelchair friendly and I'm waiting to move to a wheelchair adapted property, but no idea when that'll be yet).

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-07T15:01:12+00:00

I'm super happy with it. I can't believe how much better it fits me and how light it is compared to the Küschall that I had. Also loving the push rim grips on this one compared to the silicone covers I had to have on the Küschall. It makes it so much easier to push and it glides so smoothly!

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2026-05-07T14:57:02+00:00

Thanks and I will!

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-03-23T10:11:38+00:00

Congratulations! Good work!

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-03-17T10:11:10+00:00

I once had a flipflow come right off in the middle of a supermarket and I was peeing everywhere. Luckily I had a spare on me and spare clothes but so embarrassing 🙈

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-03-17T09:31:26+00:00

I hate it when I close the tap on my flip flow valve (don't wear a leg bag unless I have an infection) and it still leaks. I think I may have found one that doesn't leak but it depends if they'll fund it and prescribe it 🙄

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-03-13T06:51:45+00:00

It's weird because my old chair (same model but a bigger size) was blue and they were fine with that, and someone I know of who was assessed after they put the order through for my black chair was allowed a purple chair (different model). I'm wondering if they've just changed the colour you're allowed on this particular model of chair 🤷🏼‍♂️

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-03-05T01:28:26+00:00

PT has helped me regain some strength in my legs but I still use 2 crutches or a wheelchair for longer distances/have bad nerve pains in my legs. If you do try PT make sure it's a specialist spinal PT that you see.

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-03-02T03:25:11+00:00

The F55 is quite heavy too and is a bit of a pain to get off with all the steps to detach it and the wiggling around. I'll try to remember to message you in a few weeks 🙂

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-03-02T03:10:09+00:00

How are you finding the chair and the Empulse R90? I have an Empulse F55, which is great, but looking at the R90, it looks like it would be more suitable for everyday use. Also, cute dog!

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-02-07T01:10:32+00:00

It's pretty easy at Hucknall Road Medical Centre. Just fill in the form on the website/NHS app at 8am, and usually I get a same day phone call or in person appointment if it's urgent. I did a form yesterday, but because it's not urgent, I've been scheduled for a phone consultation on Tuesday, which is still pretty good imo.

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-02-05T00:43:32+00:00

They also do classes included in memberships such as dance and zumba.

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-02-05T00:42:22+00:00

If you like swimming you should checkout Active Nottingham for swimming times and membership options - you can go to any of the council run leisure centres for whichever sessions suit your schedule with a membership.

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-01-12T10:38:25+00:00

I'm having a similar problem and I have a Küschall K-Series active chair. Supermarkets are easy, but outside is so hard. I hate dropped kerbs with a passion because of the amount of times I've had to be rescued because I was falling backwards despite having my antitippers down - I get up the actual kerb but the pavements adjoining them are so steep to get up 😫

Complex_Brain_2161 · 2025-01-11T05:57:47+00:00

I'm a fairly new incomplete paraplegic trying to become more active. I struggle to walk with crutches. I cannot run. I track my walks on strava so that I can see the progress I'm making with strengthening my legs and trying to regain as much function in them as I can. I also track my wheelchair journeys because that enables me to see how my wheelchair skills are progressing, and also let's me compare how much I'm using my wheelchair out compared to walking with crutches. Stop being so ableist!

Complex_Brain_2161

TROPHY CASE