Borrowing A Power Chair From Your Own DME Dealer

[GroovyWheeler]

I am going to be borrowing a power chair from the DME dealer that I use, as my own one is there for repairs, and renting one from the parks would be too expensive, according to my mom. My question is, if we take it on Delta, and something happens to it, even though it isn't my power chair, would Delta still have to be responsible for the damages? I've been badly wanting to take a power chair to Disney World, and have talked with my friend (who works as a seating and mobility specialist there), Tim, and he said that he'd look and see what he had, when it comes to a folding power chair.

Would folding power chairs still have the same risk on an airplane as taking a rigid one? I've heard that it would be a lot more funner taking a power chair, and I thought that taking a fold-up type power chair, would be much easier to handle, than taking my huge rigid one. We're leaving tomorrow, and I'm still hoping that Tim would be able to bring it up tonight so that we can take it with us tomorrow.

Samantha :jumping4:

 

[SueM in MN]

I would probably ask the DME dealer. Delta would still be responsible for it, whether you are the owner of the chair or not. I'd probably suggest calling their customer service department and ask to talk to someone who deals with special needs (they may not call it the Special Needs Department, but they will have someone who does it) to ask about power wheelchair transport.
Your home owner's insurance might cover it too since it is in your possession. The dealer probably also has some type of insurance on their chiars. It's possible that the dealer would say you are not allowed to take it out of state (although when my DD had a loaner chair, they didn't put any conditions on using it).

One reasons that power wheelchairs are easy to damage is they have some fragile parts on them. The fold up one would still be kind of fragile, but one of the advantages would be that the fold up chair would not be as bulky or heavy, so it is less likely to get dropped as they are putting it on and off the plane.

Good luck and hope it works out for you.

 

[GroovyWheeler]

Thanks SueM; Looking forward to a great trip to Disney World!!!

Samantha

 

[Nanajo1]

GroovyWheeler,
Please post your experience with traveling with the power chair. I would like to bring mine but I'm so afraid it will get damaged.
Have a great trip.

 

[jerrysboy40]

Yes, please post your experience. I want to take my power chair also. Scared to death is a good way to sum it up.

I can just imagine getting off the plane, them bringing my power chair to me and see wires all over the place. Makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it.

 

[dizzyintx]

Hi,
I've had my brandnew powerchair damaged by Delta, but if you take a foldup powerchair I think you will be fine. The problem is that they have to stow powerchairs in with the luggage. That means if you have a big chair liike mine that they have to turn it on it's side, in order to get it in. We saw them trying to get my chair in and heard metal scratching and knew they had just damaged my new chair. Luckily it was on the way home because when I finally got the chair I cried. They had damaged one whole side and I couldn't even use it. I called my DME and they came and got it for repairs. Delta paid for everything with the DME. I didn't have to make one call. One thing to keep in mind is with a folding powerchair, the seat will probably be a sling seat and your rear will hurt just as others feet. Try to get a cushion!