Let's see if I can tackle this next page of posts to reply to.
I bought the super bright orange one because I’m obsessed with Halloween.
Does anyone remember how long it took to receive yours after you ordered? I’m hoping to test it out/practice before our end of the month trip.
Hi, NotTheBatesMotel.
It is great you can choose a color for your favorite color.
I think it only took a few days to receive mine and the free shipping seemed a lot faster than most companies since it was such a large box. They must use a good delivery company.
They shipped from TX Monday, I got it in MN on Thurs.. Comes via UPS.
Hi, ppony.
I didn't know it was UPS.
Mine shipped on Tuesday, and I got it on Thursday - but I live in Oklahoma, so... neighbors? LOL.
Hi, mamabunny.
That seems really fast.
Congratulations! That orange color is beautiful! I got stuck trying to decide between the turquoise and the purple, and purple won! My hubby wanted the pearl color, but I wanted something colorful!
Hi, mamabunny.
That's wonderful mamabunny.
One of my top three choices were purple and orange and maroon.
I chose maroon because it was the color of my old 1989 Nissan Maxima SE.
I'm delighted with how comfortable the seat is; I was worried most about that. I'm taking my time, and learning inside right now, since it's cold; we have a weird floor plan in our house where we have a central hallway that goes around the inside of the house, so I am making like a NASCAR driver, and making loops turning left (or right) during my practice sessions! We backed the cars out of the garage so that I could practice in a bigger area also, but I can tell it's going to take a bit longer than I anticipated to feel really comfortable, like I did with Angus.
@SueM in MN and the others here who have always said that learning to drive a power chair is very different than an ECV are *so* right! I can't imagine trying to learn to do this on the fly at WDW! I'm so glad I listened to their wise council, and have plenty of time to settle in with it before I try to travel someplace like WDW!
Hi, mamabunny.
Isn't it wonderful? I am so happy for you..
I live in a small apartment with carpet so it was a little harder for me to move around on the high pile carpet.
But on hard surfaces, I was rolling everywhere inside the highrise common areas.
And when I first used and rented one at WDW I was always very cautious and conservative.
I used a slower speed and I was very aware of my surroundings, especially other guests.
Some of my learning curves were turning and trying to figure out how to get my front caster wheels from getting stuck when I wanted to make a 180-degree turn from a still position.
My most painful experience was stumping my big toe when reaching forward to push an elevator door button or resort door without realizing my jacket sleeve was pushing the wheelchair's joystick forward and not realizing that was why the wheelchair was trying to move forward until the damage was done.
I kinda like driving my chair around more than a
scooter. For one thing, you won’t have a “Nose” to worry about when turning, and for that reason, the turning radius is much smaller and easier to maneuver.
I once ”attempted” to drive a FRONT-WHEEL powerchair in Disney ONCE. It was my first experience with a powerchair and it was horrible. So bad that I had to go back to a scooter.
When it was time for me to get my first powerchair, the first thing I knew that no matter wha, I wasn’t going to get a front-wheel chair, because of my bad experience. So it was down to either a midwheel or rear wheel chair (which the Fold and Go is). Well, I couldn’t find any rear wheel chairs that I liked, (this was before I found out that Fold and Go even existed), so I got a midwheel, and the learning curve to that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
Well, a few months passed, and my mom got a new car. Unfortunately, no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find a lift/hoist that would fit in the new car that would work for my old powerchair.
Now I had to make a choice, either go to a manual chair, which would cost $3,000 for the one I wanted (I couldn’t use a run of the mill manual that you could get from Walmart because those have UNREMOVABLE arms that would impede my self-pushing ability, and also I wanted to choose the color and options for my chair so it wouldn’t be a “Grandma Special”). Or look for a powerchair that somehow could fold up and be put in the back of the car with ease.
Luckily, while scrolling through Facebook, my mom saw an ad for Fold and Go, we checked it out, chose my dream color (purple), and I got mine that same week.
Now I can’t wait til September when I get to take it on its first plane ride to Florida. (Hoping it doesn’t get broken by the airport crew between here and there).
Hi, Groot.
That great you got to try different types of electric wheelchairs.
I wish I had places near me when I was researhing.
The first one I ever got to try was the rental Fold and Go Heavy-duty Wheelchair at WDW and I was sold on it. After all my research and needs I knew it was the one for me.
I did most of my practicing in the house and was very nervous to head out on the trip but both the airports and parks were easier than I’d imagined. After doing all that practicing in close quarters the public walkways seemed spacious by comparison. A couple of things though:
—- I had a near disaster when exiting the American Adventure show. An ecv was blocking right by the door inside the theater. I thought, oh, I’ll just go around it which meant trying to go acrossed that sloped floor. Bad idea! I lost control and the chair swerved directly downhill towards people walking up it. I still find slopes and curb cuts very difficult.
—- I can’t back up the chair nearly as easily as an ecv. Fortunately so far, I’ve always had a companion along to put it in free-wheel for on and off elevators, and to get it properly parked on buses.
Hi, CJN.
Oh, my, I am so glad you and others were okay after your American Adventure show experience.
Even though I always try to be careful, sometimes using sidewalks I miss a driveway that tilts to a slope as I cross especially if I swerve toward moving cars on the street next to the sidewalk.
I agree with everything you said.
I've learned when entering an empty elevator that I roll as close to the far wall before making a U-turn and then repositioning myself to push the floor button and facing the exit close to the side off the wall to exit.
If occupied, I try to drive straight into the far wall using the sidewall as a guide. Then I request someone to push the floor button for me.
When I exit, I ask others if I can exit just in case someone is blocking me.
Then I use the sidewall as a guide to back straight all of the way out.
I'm so glad you didn't go careening down the slope at American Adventure!
Oddly enough, backing up is super easy for me; left turns are pretty solid now, but right turns? LOL I struggle more on right turns than anything!
Hi, mamabunny.
Me, too.
Yay! Another Purple person! LOL
First thing, I grabbed some 1" Velcro One-Wrap, and made a loop long enough to hold the chair closed (when closed from the footrest to the handlebar at the top of the backrest) for travel. I may yet make another longer loop to go around the chair to help hold the arms in place when folded; that seems most likely to be a point of contention.
Given the overall design of the chair, I think we'll be OK when traveling by air, because the frame of the chair is so sturdy, and that's what exposed the most.
I think the main thing I will have to remember is to unlock the wheels before handing it off to the gate crew; that way they aren't dragging it with the wheels locked, and potentially damaging the motors.
Hi, mamabunny.
That's a wonderful idea.
I agree.
I got the airplane cover for my chair when we go fly to Florida this year. I’m taking every precaution that I can think of so that when we get there, the airline doesn’t hand me back a $3,000 damaged device and ruin my vacation.
Hi, Groot,
Me, too. I think when flying, the cover keeps everything together tight and protected from
frailing apart during airline transit and loading/unloading and keeping anyone with fooling around with it Only the wheel's lock/unlock levers are exposed,
Since the cover wraps all the way around the bottom, I place my armrest bag. jacket and hat above or between the closed seat and back. Everything in my armrest bag is also in a ziplock bag.
I also leave a bunch of stuff in the wheelchair's under-seat bag in zippered up.
I put my joystick and charger in my carryon medical backpack.
When I previously rented a car, it easier not to use the cover so I could use all four wheelchair wheels to rook it in the SUV back.
Hi, mamabunny.
I agree.
Woo, my Magshock arrived Thursday! I am so glad for the advice on this thread. I did a test drive this morning since everyone said it takes awhile to get used to the controls and you are 100% right. I love it but it's definitely going to take me a bit to get used to: handling slopes, getting it in and out of the trunk, the way the chair tends to veer a bit when the road is the slightest bit uneven, and how there's a very brief pause before it comes to a full stop. I plan to keep practicing several times before hitting the parks.
One question: Do you take the joystick off when packing it in the trunk/traveling or leave it on?
Hi, NotTheBatesMotel.
Congratulations!
I've never tried lifting into a sedan trunk.
Please let us know of any tricks you've learned to make it easier to put it in and out of a sedan truck.
Yes, I agree when going straight and then the sidewalk slopes, maybe like crossing a slanted driveway.
I definitely carry my joystick and charger onboard.
I don't when loading it in an SUV when if I can fold down a second-row seat to prevent damage to the joystick when rolling it in.
Take it off if your going on an airplane just to be safe. Otherwise, it’s ok to leave on.
Hi, Groot.
I agree.
As Groot said, you can leave it on most of the time. But occasionally when my helpers load it into a vehicle and give it a final shove forward I find myself gasping, “Watch the joystick! Watch the joystick!”
Hi, CJN.
I would too.
This weekend, the hubs set up an obstacle course in our garage, because I need to learn how to maneuver in tight spaces - I may have to travel someplace fairly soon where we know it isn't "friendly" and I will face some specific challenges (like needing to back up perfectly straight, make super razor sharp turns due to space constraints, etc.) and so he created a "training ground" for me! I have spent *hours* out there so far, and it is helping. I still really stink at parallel parking (trying to emulate a Disney bus setup for practice parking inside the bus) but practice makes better!
The only thing I haven't been able to try yet is slopes, but that's on the agenda. And trying to load it by myself into the car. Which is kind of scary, because at the moment, I'm not sure I can get it safely into the car. We may employ a small step stool, so that I can lift it to the stool, then a second maneuver should allow me to slide it up and into the car. Not sure, fingers crossed. What I really want doesn't exist for getting it in and out of my vehicle!
One step at a time, no pun intended!
Hi, mamabunny.
That sounds so cool.
I usually use a wall in an elevator or I use the bench in a WDW Skyliner as a guide when backing up;
I also bought a bicycle mirror that fits on one side of my eyeglasses.
WOVTE Universal 360° Adjustable Cycling Eyeglass Rearview Mirror with Crystal Clear View for Bicycle Eyeglasses
I still have pararell parking the WDW buses. I started driving straight in and turning right, but I still need to reposition to get the rear wheeks ckoser to the side. I could pararell park my mobility scooter almost perfectly, but I am still trying figure out what I'm doing wrong.
Maybe another person could tell us better way.
When I cross a slope, like a driveway interrupting a level sidewalk, I automarically feel the need to turn my joystick about my joystick in the opposite direction of the down slope about15-degrees depending on how steep the slope is.
I still don't go completely straight, but at least I am prepared.
I really didn't have a bad of a time with my 4-wheel mobility scooter since both front wheels are controlled by the tiller. I still didn;t like the feeling of leaning toward the cars rushing by. I guess the whole sidewalk was tilted water drainage.
But wheelchair's two front caster wheels are free to turn 360-degrees.
I don't know if you use a sedan trunk, but it looks like more lifting than using an SUV
Another Q for you guys about traveling w/ the F&G. I see the travel cover they have custom made for it. Seems a little futzy to put it on, but it also allows the baggage crew the ability to roll it instead of having to carry it all the way. BUT, it does look like it could be a pain to put on on the gangway and it is about $100 more than a standard cover you could find on Amazon. What are thoughts? Does one of the regular covers you can get that will enclose the whole thing get the job done, or is the custom-ness of the F&G case make it worth that extra $100?
DEFINITELY need to get something to hold itbshut when folded up. Was thinking about a luggage strap, but MamaBunny's idea of a velcro strap would be good too.
PS
PURPLE rules!
Hi, ppony.
I bought the cover that the Fold and Go Heavy-duty wheelchair sold and made for.
The Fold and Go MagShock wheelchair is a little wider has its own cover, so I guess Fold and Go MagShock wheelchair made them specifically.
Maybe someone else can help you with another cover that they bought.
Some folk ask the airline crew to help you put the cover on.
I'm probably going to get the F&G custom cover because it will work the best - however, like our friend
@RaySharpton had posted previously, I fear I will have some difficulty getting the cover (especially the flap that has to tuck under the chair and come up) on, especially if I travel solo. I have watched the video a couple of times, and now that my condition is changed, I need to figure out a way to pull that flap through without getting down on the floor or on one knee.
And I shamelessly admit I am a one-woman crusade for Velcro One Wrap!
Also YES
PURPLE RULES!
Hi, mamabunny.
I don't own a car, so I drove my wheelchair from home via sidewalk, the subway to the airport to the gate waiting area near the concourse Delta gate desk and gangway door.
I arrive early to take my time to pack everything.
I carry an airline wheelchair with me next to an end-chair of a row.
I sat down with joystick close to me so I could turn the wheelchair around while sitting down.
I remove the folded Fold and Go Heavy-duty wheelchair Airline Cover from underneath the wheelchair seat.
I turned the wheelchair around to take my medical backpack off the back of the wheelchair and hung it own the airline wheelchairs armrest.
Then I reached down and turned both of the Fold and Go Heavy-duty wheelchair's rear free-wheel levels.
I manually turned the wheelchair around and removed my velcro-attached bag from the armrest.
I unscrewed the quick-connect joystick cable along with the same armrest.
I unscrewed the joystick knob from the end of the same armrest. It takes a long time to unscrew and re-screw. And placed the joystick in my medical backpack to take onboard.
Everything looks good. Now I position the wheelchair to fold together to make it easier to put the airline protector on while sitting down.
I can' stand and bend over to do something like this for falling on the floor and traveling alone.
I place my armrest bag and jacket in between the seat/back covers and fold the footrest over them.
Since both rear wheels move freely, I reposition the folded wheelchair to help me put on and secure the airline, cover.
Turn the front wheel casters so it is toward the inside of the folded wheelchair. Otherwise, the wheel stick put too far.
First, the thinner side of the wheelchair needs to be facing me.
Second, the wheelchair has to sit to the far side of my leg with the freewheel levers facing the furthest away from me.
I have to make sure to put the cover with the longer side hanging down on the opposite side of the red/orange freewheel wheel side. This is the part that goes underneath on the bottom.
I slide the cover over the top rotating the wheelchair around as I pulled each of the corners down so they look even. Then I continue to pull it all of the way down until everything looks nice and tight.
The most difficult part was sliding the bottom part of the cover all of the way under the folded chair.
This part is covered in heavy-duty velcro that kept getting stuck together. I was using my cane to push it under. But it was also on the floor and hard to reach since my big belly was in the way.
But I used the floor carpet as a tool.
After I slid the bottom of the cover as far as I could until the velcro stuck on the carpet,
Then I slowly rolled the wheelchair in front of me from one leg to the other leg.
The carpet held onto the cover so it was all the way under and on the correct side for me to grab it, pull it tight and close both velcro sides.
Then I slid over onto the airline wheelchair and ready for my wheelchair and myself rolled down the gangway.
The first time I put the cover on backward and I had to watch the video on my phone to see what I was doing wrong so the bottom part fit better.
My plan of attack is that when it comes time to put the cover on and tuck the flap, I’m planning on taking off the joystick, seat cushion (and, if needed, the batteries) and putting that stuff in my carry-on. Then, I’ll find a seat, sit down and reach for the flap while i’m sitting.
Hi, Groot.
That might be too much for me to carry with my backpack. Let us know how it worked out.
We found the travel bag to be somewhat of a struggle to put on. It fits very snug on a MagShock. My travel companion isn’t wimpy either and she had to work at it, although we’re wondering if it will stretch a bit to give it that custom feel (like birkenstocks!
) We’re sure glad we practiced ahead of time at home. Do the ones on Amazon enclose the wheels? If so, oh man, personally I wouldn’t do that to the baggage guys when gate-checking. Besides being heavy, it’s still somewhat awkward to carry even with the bag handles. IMO having the ability to roll it is better for all.
Also, Fold & Go has an item in their accessories section - a Velcro strap attached to a handle so you can strap the chair shut and have a handle to pull it. $23.95. Is that new? I don’t remember seeing it before. Somebody who’s handy could probably rig that up for less but I’m not in that category. Here are some pictures:
View attachment 473048View attachment 473049
Hi, CJN.
It is a tight fit.
Thanks for the link and photo. It looks like it is sold out. I was thinking about using it to keep the wheelchair together for a taxi loading/unloading.
Yeah, that is new. So new that I didn’t know about it and I’m visiting their site every so often.
Hi, Groot.
Me, too.
.