P&A HELPS CONSUMER WITH
SELF-ADVOCACY FOR WHEELCHAIR REPAIRS


J.F., a Santa Fe resident with chronic progressive muscular sclerosis, had become exasperated from her attempts to get proper service from a medical equipment supplier. Not only had promised repairs and adjustments to her new powered wheelchair been left undone, but the supplier had also failed to return the manual wheelchair she needed for special situations. Meanwhile, J.F. was concerned about the positional settings in her powered chair, as well unusual noises its motor was making.

J.F. had been trying for months, without success, to get the supplier's representatives to make the promised repairs and return the manual chair. On one occasion, someone from the supplier had simply dropped off some equipment outside her door. Finally, she turned to P&A for assistance. P&A contacted the supplier, and after an initial run-around learned the identity of its corporate owner. A forceful demand to that individual resulted in a prompt response from the company. The manual wheelchair was returned at once, and, a meeting was set up to address all of J.F.'s repair/adjustment needs and concerns.

P&A helped broker the meeting, which was held at a hospital therapy department, with an occupational therapist of J.F.'s choosing in attendance. The supplier's representative, in consultation with J.F. and the OT, made numerous adjustments to the chair, and took the time to answer all of J.F.'s questions. In addition, the company agreed to replace several items on J.F.'s wheelchairs, including internal supports, cushions, and the chair's batteries and motor. P&A's presence helped empower J.F. to insist on all the repairs and adjustments, and insist on having all her questions answered.