| Several years ago, my daughter, a 17 years old | | | | move about in small places and complete their |
| college Freshman, was paralyzed from the waist | | | | activities of daily living without being bed-bound or sent |
| down as the result of a fall. She was determined to | | | | to nursing homes. |
| continue on with college and needed a way to get | | | | Medical electric mobility scooters, on the other hand, |
| around the campus. Fortunately an electric mobility | | | | are personal electric scooters that have either three or |
| scooter provided her with the freedom and mobility | | | | four wheels and steer much like a bicycle, using a set |
| she needed during that difficult period in her life. | | | | of handlebars. Electric scooters are ideal for |
| Without the aid of the electric mobility scooter, my | | | | out-of-home activities, as they glide smoothly and |
| daughter would have had to drop out of college and | | | | easily over a variety of surfaces. There are even |
| return home until she could recover, and at that time, | | | | portable motorized scooters that can be stowed in the |
| no one knew if she would ever recover her ability to | | | | trunk of your car to take along with you. |
| walk again. Thank God, she did regain her ability to | | | | Today's electric wheelchairs and electric mobility |
| walk only a short time later, but nevertheless, the | | | | scooters are easy-to-use, comfortable, safe and |
| electric mobility scooter provided not only the physical | | | | reliable. |
| freedom and mobility but also the psychological boost | | | | Mobility is a critical aspect of everyday life. Being |
| she needed during the crisis period. | | | | mobile enhances a person's ability to learn, interact with |
| Electric wheelchairs and power mobility scooters | | | | others, earn a living and participate in community life. |
| deliver power mobility to elderly, seriously ill, and | | | | "Growth of the mobility-impaired community is |
| disabled individuals. Today, more than ever before, | | | | increasing as the population ages, as the effects of |
| electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters help people, | | | | obesity, and other neurological, rheumatoid, and physical |
| like my daughter, with limited mobility regain their | | | | ailments impair mobility. In addition, demand for power |
| freedom and independence. | | | | wheelchairs has grown due to demographics, |
| "For 38% of the 54 million Americans with disabilities, | | | | technology development and consumer awareness." |
| mobility limitations and impairments are permanent. For | | | | -- National Spinal Cord Injury Association, (Alexa) |
| these individuals, a variety of mobility aids and devices | | | | * Electric Wheelchairs and Electric Mobility Scooters |
| are necessary in order to provide support, motion and | | | | Cost Considerations |
| access, as well as to enable them to lead active and | | | | Electric wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are |
| fulfilling lives." | | | | usually available at little or NO cost to you, depending |
| -- United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, (Alexa) | | | | upon your insurance qualifications. |
| * Electric Wheelchairs vs. Electric Mobility Scooters | | | | For Medicare coverage consideration, a written |
| An electric wheelchair is a personal mobility device that | | | | prescription for a scooter or power wheelchair must |
| usually has six wheels and is steered using a "joystick". | | | | be received by a supplier from a primary care |
| Sometimes referred to as a motorized wheelchair, | | | | physician or treating practitioner within 30 days of a |
| power wheelchair, or just power chairs, they generally | | | | face-to-face examination. |
| offer superior in-home maneuverability, fit almost | | | | To see if you qualify for a low cost or no cost electric |
| anywhere and turn on a dime. An electric wheelchair is | | | | wheelchair or mobility scooter, contact a professional |
| primarily designed for people who need help getting | | | | mobility consultant who will work with your doctor to |
| around indoors. | | | | identify your mobility needs, coordinate your Medicare |
| The power mobility provided by electric wheelchairs | | | | or insurance benefits and determine the best mobility |
| has made a dramatic difference in many people's lives. | | | | solution for you. |
| The development of new technology in the industry | | | | Don't let physical impairments keep you down. Regain |
| has made it possible for citizens to obtain smaller, | | | | your freedom of mobility and independence with the |
| more lightweight and maneuverable motorized | | | | electric wheelchair or mobility scooter that's right for |
| wheelchairs for use inside the home allowing people to | | | | you. |