Disability economics - Diane Mettam

Have you had this happen?  Your wheelchair needs repairs, and the cost is almost a quarter of what the chair cost?  Or your wheelchair van needs service, and the cost is in the thousands of dollars?  Where do you go for help?  Is there help? 

Last week my husband and I drove to our nearest mobility vehicle dealer and service center, six hours away.  They are very reputable, and very hospitable.  But we learned my van needs a new ramp motor and a new controller, for a total of $1,800.  That’s on top of the $750 for a new CD player, which was necessary to keep the GPS system up-to-date.  Unfortunately, the vehicle’s CD player is interconnected with the GPS and DVD, and you just can’t go to Best Buy or another place and pop in another unit.  The entire center dash unit had to be pulled out and sent away for repair. 

We were fortunate that we had been squirreling away some money for a “rainy day.”  We just didn’t figure the rains would come so soon.  And what if another storm comes?  My chair, like my van, is out of warranty, and seems to consume batteries.  The local medical supply store leaves a lot to be desired.  The Sears store sells batteries with a 90-day warranty, and that’s how long they lasted.  The batteries I ordered online have a six-month warranty, and it’s getting close.  A friend thinks maybe I need a new controller.  Heaven forbid!

I’m wondering how many of us have had similar occurrences.  Have you had good luck with particular suppliers, or bad luck?  Are there funding sources out there that we should know about?  Perhaps we could set up an information hub to share resources.   As I remarked on a Facebook post, “It ain’t cheap being disabled.”  But perhaps there are ways we can save a little money, and heartbreak. 

I’m happy to set up a page on my blog site for money-saving ideas and resources.  If you have some to share, please let me know, and we can share them with our brothers and sisters.  The e-mail address is umcdisabilityconnections@gmail.com.

“for gaining wisdom and instruction;

    for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

    doing what is right and just and fair. . .

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

    and let the discerning get guidance”  Proverbs 1:2,3,5

 

Dear Father God, We know that like the lilies of the field, and the birds of the air, we should not worry about our daily needs.  Yet, being human, we cannot keep from worrying.  Help us remember that one way you provide for us is by giving us resources we can share with each other.  Thank you for this network of friends that lifts one another up in friendship and prayer.  Amen.