The bubble gum pink screw driver loosened the top of the stuck screw enough so that I can turn it counter clockwise but my fingers are stubby and get in the way so while it is loose the body of the screw is still not shifting...
Any clue what to do next???
I'm checking YouTube...
Mercy sends friendly meows. She is wary of this rolling heap I'm using and does not understand the unusual clutter that has overtaken the front room.
Happy weekend!
Am I embarrassed that it is lightweight and lady pink...
What do you think??
I've called the vendor and left two messages through gritted teeth after my requested service...So far, no reply.
Happy weekend!
And I fear I may be one...
With nary a word from my wheelchair vendor, no technician in sight and two non-budging small hex screws, I've ordered a rechargeable screw driver set with various heads that I hope will help without stripping either the screw or the threads in the openings of the metal stays needed to attach the new sling or seat.
The second screw is on the edge of the foot plate and I cannot place the new foot plate cover and fasten it to the chair frame without getting that little sucker out first. A third screw came out last evening after some coaxing and moderate swearing. WD 40 applied.
Mercy has given up on the growing mess in our front room and is happily dreaming.
I wish I could do the same.
Have a good day!
The axels were in a smaller box which contained caster wheels. I got them in fine but when I put the first new wheel on, it stuck, as in nothing is moving that sucker. I gamely began cleaning my chair then decided to take sagging sling (seat which holds the cushion and upon which one sits) off since I had a new one to put on. I used a metal hand held hex set that resembles a pocket knife when closed. The first side of four screws came loose without a hitch though it took a bit of time. With the second side, I was not so fortunate. There are two screws which will not come loose for love or money. At this point, I was hopping mad and bursting for a pee, so I threw the cushion over the half off seat and made my way to the bathroom.
Business concluded, I got out the hospital chair my friend brought over, threw my cushion in it and unpacked a DeWalt T hex kit, thinking that it might be easier on my hands and get the job done.
Not so far..
However, since I can still get around, I plan to eat, feed Mercy and worry about this tomorrow.
Have a good evening...
It has been a busy morning here and my DME guy in Oregon, from whom I ordered spare tires and rims for this chair last Friday, had them shipped and at my door today, along with a new foot plate cover to replace mine which cracked last week, I await the quick release axel assembly which was sent via UPS.
I have heard nothing from the original vendor for this chair regarding the parts ordered through them or an appointment with their technician to change my large tires and tighten or replace the wheel locks. The lady with whom I spoke and paid in their billing department sent me both a receipt and a copy of the order from the parts department. The date on the order is June 10. I hope the parts were ordered at that time because this has been a long wait. I will be learning how to build and install my own quick release axels at some point.
Cheers!
My baby girl is looking beautiful. Still curious, playful and affectionate, she is also becoming elegant.
Meow and happy Tuesday...
The AC technician showed up close to 10 PM, vacuumed up the water in the closet, unclogged the AC drain line and asked for $302 and change, part of which entitled me to membership for maintenance, discounts on additional services and other related items. I can cancel anytime as there is no contract.
While the unit is running well at the moment, I am concerned about the float switch and why it did not shut the unit off as it is intended to do prior to leaving several inches of water in my heater pan below the air handler and on the floor. I am going to research this further. I had to shut the unit off manually.
Still no word from my wheelchair vendor about when I should expect a visit to change the tires on my solid rims and service this chair. My foot plate cover has cracked in the meantime, so I've ordered spares which are more like conventional bike tires. My current tires are so worn that my wheel locks don't work, so effectively I have no brakes until the tires are changed and the wheel locks are tightened.
My DME guy in Oregon seems to know more about parts than the new parts guy at my vendor company...
Always an adventure...
Cheers and meow!
My cool air is no more and I am waiting for an AC Company technician who should be here this evening. There was a back up of water in the AC closet when I went to change the filter and the unit is running but not cooling. It is currently 85 in my apartment. Mercy is the only one of us enjoying the heat.
Wishing you all a peaceful afternoon...
As an update to the on-going wheelchair saga, yesterday just after 8 AM, the parts guy from my vendor called to tell me that when he got the price on the original tube inflatable wheels that normally come on my chair, which I asked to purchase as spares, he would let me know. I called the billing department lady with whom I had spoken previously and she said he had not ordered those, he ordered the upgrades that I have been using since 2018 or so. Those rims are solid, without inner tubes and apparently harder to change which is why the guy at the bike shop complained to me about them.
My request led to an admission by the billing lady that the parts guy is new and still learning the job. He called again after she changed the order and said that someone would be out to evaluate my chair and see what I need at no cost to me and that the ordered parts would be brought out once the chair is looked at. Translated: The parts guy is nervous about ordering the wrong parts. which means I have zero confidence that this situation will be handled correctly since he now needs another guy to tell him what I need...This is after 30 calls in three days between this company and me.
What an effing mess!
I've spent most of the last two days on the phone with various persons trying to come to a resolution about my tires and other maintenance issues related to my chair. Because the guy at the bike shop was such a pill about changing my solid tires, I reluctantly contacted the company from which this chair was purchased. A service tech will be out in about 10 days or so once my needed parts arrive to service my chair. I went the expensive self-pay route because going through Medicare means a doctor visit and prescription along with a 20 percent co-pay anyway and who knows when I could get in to do that. I was told I'd need to be seen and I could wait for a cancellation. Those are typically short notice and don't allow me enough time to arrange for wheelchair van pick up of at least 24 to 72 hours. The only good part of this whole experience thus far is the self-pay discount I've received.
A friend is bringing over a hospital transport chair that he whined me into buying from a medical supplier for $200 several years ago simply because it folds in half. The fact that it is uncomfortable and has a sixty pound aluminum frame that wears on the arms and shoulders does not bother him. My ultra-lite is considerably less and very easy to transport but people who grew up with older model chairs are often ignorant, particularly if they do not use them. I will have that to use or sit in while the repair tech sweats on my screened porch.
Since I rarely use that area, it gets quite dirty, so out I went with a broom. True to form, it was filthy. After a half hour's worth of swearing, it is somewhat improved and I am parched.
Other that, there is an issue to be settled that requires an amended tax return. A CPA is sorting things out. I've been up since 3 AM and made food for the remainder of the week, looked after Mercy and paid bills. She's napping after a nice lunch. I think I'll do the same.
As an update to the on-going wheelchair saga, yesterday just after 8 AM, the parts guy from my vendor called to tell me that when he got the price on the original tube inflatable wheels that normally come on my chair, which I asked to purchase as spares, he would let me know. I called the billing department lady with whom I had spoken previously and she said he had not ordered those, he ordered the upgrades that I have been using since 2018 or so. Those rims are solid, without inner tubes and apparently harder to change which is why the guy at the bike shop complained to me about them.
My request led to an admission by the billing lady that the parts guy is new and still learning the job. He called again after she changed the order and said that someone would be out to evaluate my chair and see what I need at no cost to me and that the ordered parts would be brought out once the chair is looked at. Translated: The parts guy is nervous about ordering the wrong parts. which means I have zero confidence that this situation will be handled correctly since he now needs another guy to tell him what I need...This is after 30 calls in three days between this company and me.
What an effing mess!
Mercy saw our pet sitter today and went with her to the cat hospital where she was weighed, given her flea, tick and heart worm preventative and had her nails trimmed. Can you say kitty spa? The trip and return were without incident and she did great, weighing in at just under eight pounds. She is happy to be home and has been her usual curious and affectionate self.
We are both tired as we were up several times during the night and awoke early to prepare for Mercy's spa date. She is now sleeping and I am hoping for an early night myself.
Cheers!
I've spent the morning talking to an experienced DME person about the maintenance of this chair. The brakes and tires are worn as are the front castors. I've cleaned all of the gunk and hair that was caught in the castors, the small front wheels. This took scissors, tweezers, a screw driver and about a half hour. Then I made the call inquiring after parts to the company in Oregon.
It was quite illuminating to try and figure out whether I would prefer a soft castor or the court roll variety which are similar to the ones I put on in December 2021. When I said that the brake levers were loose, another discussion took place and I've now emailed this gentleman photos of those so he can see what I have since this is a vintage chair from 2009 and parts have since changed.
A further discussion occurred concerning the tools necessary for the various jobs means that I've ordered a better set of Allen wrenches. We also touched on eventually getting a new chair which may be about $2800 give or take. This is about half the cost of what one purchased through insurance. I have a titanium frame which my insurance would not cover when I bought it in 2009 and Medicare does not pay for those.
While I was able to tighten these brakes somewhat, they are old and my tires are about as bald as a pair of Kewpie dolls, so I really have to be careful when transferring so I do not end up on the floor.
Mercy was so alarmed when I was cleaning the castors that she fled to the outermost reaches of the room. I was seated and had the chair with its back on the ground, castors up. Her eyes nearly bugged out of her sweet furry head. She was not at all sure what I was doing but came over to sniff the trash I was collecting and was completely unimpressed.
She is now napping. Smart girl. I may follow her lead.
Cheers!
