It's on!
Picked up my rental wheelchair from Johnson Medical Supply in Berkeley. Just $48 for one week. Not too bad.
When I got there, the woman behind the counter directed me to the "rental room."
In it were scores of wheelchairs of a variety of sizes and colors. The first couple of chairs the guy pulled out were either the wrong size, or just hideous looking (yeah, that's right, if I'm going to do this, it's gotta look "cool.")
The guy asked me, "Are you having surgery?"
"No, I am participating in a fundraiser, and as part of it, I'll be using the chair for a day."
He couldn't have been less impressed.
After finding the right size chair and orienting me to all it's features and functions (adjusting and removing the legs, folding up the chair etc.), I had to fill out the paperwork that holds me responsible for damage (and releases them from liability in the event I hurt myself!)
And just when I was ready to wheel it on out, the guy tells me that this model is only available to rent by the month.
"A month? They told me I could rent it by the week. And I only need it for a day."
"This one you can only rent for a month."
Whatever dude, work with me.
And just when I was ready to wheel it on out, the guy tells me that this model is only available to rent by the month.
"A month? They told me I could rent it by the week. And I only need it for a day."
"This one you can only rent for a month."
Whatever dude, work with me.
The guy speaks to his manager who reiterates that the model they chose for me is only available for a month.
"I'll take the model, any model, that I can rent by the week."
Lo and behold, the manager goes upstairs and comes back down with a brand spanking new wheelchair for me! The Invacare Veranda Wheelchair!
"I'll take the model, any model, that I can rent by the week."
Lo and behold, the manager goes upstairs and comes back down with a brand spanking new wheelchair for me! The Invacare Veranda Wheelchair!
I must admit, it's not that easy maneuvering it around, especially in reverse. But I am sure I'll get the hang of it.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, they don't rent those scooter wheelchairs with all wheel drive, cruise control, and built-in satellite radio. But I've got my eyes on that bad boy for next year! ;-)
Oh, and in case you were wondering, they don't rent those scooter wheelchairs with all wheel drive, cruise control, and built-in satellite radio. But I've got my eyes on that bad boy for next year! ;-)