Letters: July 2016


Ride Sharing Comes, Taxis Leave
In Corpus Christi the local taxi company had WAVs, but when Uber and Lyft started here, the taxi company decided to stop offering the service [“Uber: Does the Transportation Revolution Include Us?” May 2016]. They claimed that the competition from the ride sharing forced them to cut costs. After the city passed a law requiring a fingerprint check, the ride sharing companies left town. The city’s bus service for wheelchair users is unreliable. So now there is no transportation for wheelchair users. I am restricted to going only as far as I can in my power wheelchair, about one mile.
John Ralph
via newmobility.com

Cool OpenTaxi App
In Chicago, they have the OpenTaxi app, which allows you to arrange for a wheelchair accessible taxi through your iPhone and see the cab on a map as it approaches your location. Pretty cool.
John Hauschildt
via newmobility.com

Hand-Control Rentals Denied
Two years ago we attempted to rent an accessible van with hand controls from MobilityWorks, which had bought out Nor-Cal Mobility, where we had previously rented accessible vans on more than one occasion [“Where Have All the Rental Vans Gone?” Bully Pulpit, May 2016]. We were told that they did not have any rental vans with hand controls available. When we inquired further, they insisted that due to insurance regulations they can no longer rent vans with hand controls. We asked about this at the Abilities Expo later that year, and were fed the same line.

Being determined to rent an accessible vehicle that we could both drive for our trip to southern California that year, we contacted a number of commercial car rental companies. Hertz was able to rent us a car with hand controls which they installed for us at no extra charge. This vehicle was not equipped with a wheelchair ramp, so we were limited to the push chair, which had to be loaded and unloaded from the trunk, but we were grateful for what we were able to get.

One has to wonder why a commercial car rental company can provide hand controls, while a company that specializes in wheelchair accessible vehicles is so short-sighted and insures with a company that does not allow renters the independence they should be entitled to.
Felix and Vicky Gutierrez
Richmond, California

Women and Quad Rugby
I played recreational quad rugby for three years and worked out with a team for almost a year [“Hitting Like Women,” May 2016], classified and participated in one tournament. Some male attitudes seem to be that if you aren’t getting injured, you aren’t giving 110 percent. Most women are not encouraged to participate, let alone play on a team. I still love the sport. But I’m too old and my arms can’t take the punishment now.
Lois West
via newmobility.com

Nowhere to Turn
I have a four-year-old chair that constantly needed tweaking. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who would help me when small repairs were needed [“Frustrated About Trying to Get Your Wheelchair Fixed? You Are Not Alone,” May 19 NM blog]. Finally, work needed to be done that was beyond his ability, so I spent many hours trying to find a repair shop. Most wanted to sell me a new chair, not repair my present one. I was also told that the charges were my responsibility, as insurance or Medicare did not cover repairs. At last I found a shop that would “try” to help me out. They charged me $313 to work on it but could not guarantee the work. Eight months later I am experiencing many of the same problems and don’t know where to turn. I have recently purchased a new chair as a backup, also at my expense. Sad state of affairs for immobile individuals, it seems.
Trudy Decker Pratt
via newmobility.com

My Chair Is My Legs
When my wheelchair broke down [I was told] it would be two weeks before it was repaired and they did not have a loaner, so I would have to use a manual chair. I said that was unacceptable because I needed to get to my son before he put a finger in the outlet or before he got the matches. People really do not understand! I so badly want to take everyone’s car away!
Melissa Monser
vianewmobility.com

Had to Eat My Cost
My company had a United Healthcare contract for nine years. We had to cancel it because we disliked calling patients [customers] all the time to say, “I’m sorry, your insurance will not even cover the cost of the parts.” My cost, mind you. We’re not even talking about retail or even a reasonable margin. They wanted to pay me less than I had to pay to buy the parts for my customers!
David Nix
Alabama Wheelchair Specialists

No wheels, No Chair
Just got a denial from Medicare. They said my new wheels were not medically necessary. How am I going to use my chair without wheels?
Joanne Pearson
via newmobility.com


Support New Mobility

Wait! Before you wander off to other parts of the internet, please consider supporting New Mobility. For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. But none of this is cheap, easy or profitable. Your support helps us give wheelchair users the resources to build a fulfilling life.

donate today

Comments are closed.