Wheels

Today Kai was fitted for a new wheelchair.  Typically, insurance will only pay for a new wheelchair/stroller every five years, but we were approved for a new chair early for a couple reasons.  First, we had a different insurance company when Kai got his first stroller, so our current company hasn't paid for one--and they approved the need for the new one!  Second, with the Magec rods giving Kai an extra four inches, he had grown out of his old chair.  Badda-bing, badda-boom! 

I kept hearing how great Shiner's is for wheelchairs, but in order to get to their wheelchair department, the child has to be in the system and referred by one of their physicians.  To be in the system, they have to be followed by one of their physicians.  Kai is so involved that he is already followed by all the specialists that he needs, which created a conundrum for us--how do we get in?  Finally, one amazing receptionist (I don't know her official title), discovered that Kai's orthopedic doctor works with one of their orthopedic doctors (they are in the same team) and we were able to see this new doctor, which gave us an in!  Yay!  We really liked the Shriner's doctor, and he gave us some useful information to help with Kai.  He also sent us straight up to the wheelchair clinic--since he could clearly see the need for a new chair.

We were excited.  We hadn't expected to be seen right away...and in fact, we weren't.  We had to make an appointment to meet with the physical therapist/seating specialist.  The earliest appointment was over two months out.  Wow. 

 So we waited, and found new ways to adapt his stroller to his new height and vent.  Finally, today was the day!  The PT was amazing.  He spent two and a half hours (and would have been longer, but Kai's external vent battery died, leaving us with only the internal one--and us without his backup/cord--d'oh!) making sure that everything in the new wheelchair would be perfect--and that Kai would be sitting properly and comfortable.

When he was fitted for his stroller, they spent maybe 15-20 minutes with him, and he never looked truly comfortable in his stroller.  Every time I would go in for adjustments, I would mention it, and while they did what they could, something just always seemed off with his positioning.  Today, however, Kai was happy and comfortable as can be.  He was interacting with his environment and playing around.  It was so amazing.  While he wasn't in the wheelchair that he will be getting (it will be three months before we get the actual chair), the seat will be taken from the same measurements as the one that he was sitting in today.  Also, once the chair comes in--all custom made and whatnot, they will make the necessary adjustments so that he is nice and comfortable.  The PT said that Kai is a great sitter and was pleasantly surprised.  I was too, considering that he didn't sit very well in his stroller.  It really is amazing what a few tweaks can do.

When we went into the appointment today, I was all set to get a Zippie Iris wheelchair.  I had done my homework and was quite convinced that was the best option.  Therefore, I was very happy when the PT suggested the Zippie Iris as one of the options.  However, one of the other PT's made a comment about a new chair, the Ki Focus, and how it might be better suited to our needs since Kai is a little more involved than most children (i.e support, vent, bags, etc).  After looking over everything, we went ahead with the Ki Focus.  It's streamlined like the Iris and in looks virtually identical, but it allows for a few more options to hold all his things.  We even got it in a fun royal blue color.  I'm really excited about the Focus and can't wait until it comes!