Hello my wonderful friends. Id love to hear your experience of buying mobility aids, good or bad. This video is not sponsored, however if you want to check out Kudos Stairlifts (which is Gem approved) please feel free to mention me. www.kudosstairlifts.co.uk Here are some more Gemazing videos I have hand picked for you to check out next. Last video (it went from bad to worse) th-cam.com/video/sEmh9-MwCEM/w-d-xo.html 10 Tips for choosing a house as a wheelchair user Wheelchair accessible Garden transformation th-cam.com/video/8Cuq3MwFJbs/w-d-xo.html Wheelchair accessible house tour th-cam.com/video/7dBA3bLr6cQ/w-d-xo.html
Thankfully nobody has ever given me any issues, but my mum often says it's because I come across as if I don't take any 💩 😂 not sure if that's a compliment or not 😂😂😂😂😂
So glad you made this video!! I was just called finally after 14 months waiting from my city’s rehabilitation center staff to discuss the next steps to assist me in not being nearly bedridden in my home due to the stairs and waiting for another month or two for my electric chair to come in so I can move about and also leave my home when needed even with very little help from my husband if he’s in a conference call meeting etc, as we need a ramp and then of course the stairlift apparatus (with my husbands help of course) . It’s been some of the most trying times of my life and I’ve had countless years worth. We will have some snow and possibly a lot by this time so I won’t be galavanting around the neighbourhood in my new chair outside, but come spring and summer, I’ll be able to(depending on covid restrictions) get myself to the library, or to the grocery which is only a couple kms away and restaurants coffee shops, drs office, urgent care, (even if hubby has had to run out for some reason as it does happen even with covid.)etc. It will also give me the ability to take regular transit on a whim if I feel like I’m up for coffee with a friend but didn’t have esp 😉so didn’t book a spot on our disabled transport bus 7 days ahead🙄.(weather permitting of course.) I’ll possibly even be able to be out even if it may rain as there is a place on my chair that holds an umbrella to protect me and the electric parts from any rain if I should be stuck out for a small amount of time lol as long as we never have basically what happened a month ago again for another well hopefully never lol as we had a near miss with tornado. I don’t like sideways rain and trees falling in our front yard!) scary. Worst storm in my 48 yrs. anywho……thanks so much Gemma, you are a peach! I’ve been able to learn so much and do some better advocating for myself with all sorts of medical professionals, just even over the past 18 months, after dealing with literally 20 different doctors, specialists, over the phone, thru FaceTime-like apps, and having to go alone when some offices were open over the past 19 months, while that’s not including all the many other different staff members and nurses such also.(I have abi and my memory is not good for short term so it’s super frustrating going to appts alone due to my abi from my cardiac arrest and stroke. Plus with masks it’s much worse which I wouldn’t have ever imagined before it happened!) It’s hard for me to comment and use my phone, but it’s a real lifeline. U maybe would believe me if I told u how long it took to type this while my eyes are so bad I cannot wear my glasses at the moment due to inflammation, and my hands of course, between pain and weakness, and tiresome &numb body parts lol I don’t comment too often but I try especially hard when I feel super moved emotionally by someone or I really wish for them to be helped or feel happy to read what I have to say etc. But again , every day/hour is different. I can go from feeling fine(my version lol) to being unable to do anything in a matter of fifteen down to an extreme of 3-5 minutes on bad days. I know I’m not alone due to people such as you Gemma and it really helps to know that I’m not an anomaly and I’m not a burden(even though of course being ill and disabled with whichever disorders/diseases/accidents/etc, is hard on most of our mental&emotional health , I think.)💗 thanks again Gemma, for keeping your channel so well stocked with great informative videos. 💗 ok spell check time lol.
@@JustWheelMe id take it as a good thing! 😀 it took me awhile but I’m nearly comfortable so to speak, even while on the inside my tummy is churning and my face and chest and neck are beat red and I may even cry at times but, I’ve come so far due to such awful mistreatment and having no apparent recourse, that my anger and depression caused me to basically “argue”(that’s what some of “them” call it.) but uh nope it’s called giving my side of things, standing up for myself when I know I’m being brushed off or handed a basket of total b.s. or worse, yelled at and threatened for standing for myself when being mentally played with and clearly lied to. I just couldn’t take it anymore. Yes it takes many spoons each time I must work that hard to be heard or not ignored or not harmed or given dangerous or just wrong info etc. But if I don’t do it, it just leads to worse outcomes and they take more advantage and manipulate me and I’m sick of it. So if you can speak up I say do it! As long as you’re not cussing them out in return, not screaming your lung out or trying to hit them as I’ve had happen to me, then you are in the Right! To say what you believe! 💜
I had a hoveround chair that wouldn't drive straight so they sent out a technician to check it out. The guy didn't even touch the chair, he had me drive back and forth my living room. Then he said it wasn't a big deal and practically bullied me in signing his papers saying I was satisfied. It was definitely a good learning experience...
I got a quote from a large company. I ended up with the same make but through social services, I was told they cost half the price I was quoted. I have never had a break down in 5 years. However, I did pass out on mine and the belt held me securely and it stopped, while my husband used the ground floor controller to get me down the stairs. ( I still don't know how I ended up soaked to the skin when I came round) but I was totally safe hanging out of it and I have 2 bends in my staircase. WEAR YOUR BELTS PEOPLE IT CAME OUT OF THE BLUE!!!! I love your arm controller mine is getting awkward for me.
I had a stairlift fitted recently but I’m very self conscious, as a younger person with a (mostly) hidden disability, using it. Also it doesn’t help that literally every person who has come to my house mentions it, asks who it’s for and then looks at me weirdly. I’m struggling to get past feeling embarrassed about needing it.
It really does get easier as you get older. I remember as a kid I was very embarrassed for needing extra help but now that I am an adult it's actually led to very funny/interesting experiences! I'm 23 and I recently decided to just embrace it all, it's going alright so far. If anyone says something negative about you needing extra help, they aren't worth your time or effort, there's nothing wrong with you.
I totally relate to this. Ive been on video calls in the passed (people didnt know I was disabled) and they have laughed at the stair lift in the background. Then felt terrible when I todl them. I agree with @your handicap neighbour. it gets better as time goes on. Ive actually learned to accept help more, and I feel better for it, rather than reisiting all the time.
I think a stair lift would be a great addition to a house for anyone that can afford one. We never know when someone in the family may break a leg or foot or pull a muscle in their back and need one. I have vertigo at times and if I lived in a 2 story house, I would definitely want a stair lift.
You do not owe anyone an explanation for what you have in your home. If it makes your life easier it is worth it. Others are the ones with the problem. You are the smart one. I love mine!
I wish they had a lift that could accommodate your chair? If someone could find a way to designed a lift that could slide out from beneath the bottom step and or could store in the bottom of the top step but when the lift is not in use the stairs would look like any regular steps? That would not take up space like an elevator but would do the same thing that an elevator would do? Nice video.
hi gem, thank you so much for making these videos. i'm an ambulatory wheelchair user who found your channel when i realized i needed to finally get a proper, fitted chair instead of the bulky standard one i first got. it's been a few years since i first got my chair, but because of my lack of ramp access, i could never use it outside my home. i always felt a bit of an imposter calling myself a wheelchair user when all i ever used it for was to roll a few feet to the bathroom. i'm very happy to say that, after doing a bit of research, i've accepted that i need a power chair, and have finally gotten the prescription to start the process of getting a chair that suits my needs. i'm also delighted to finally get support for installing a ramp into my home. for the first time in years, i'll be able to go outside when i'm not well enough to walk. your channel has taught me so much about wheelchair lifestyle, and made me feel a lot more confident. i feel so much more prepared for dealing with my upcoming appointments, and i feel so much more assured in insisting that my access needs are not optional. thank you so much for all you do. and thank you especially for remembering to include chronically ill and ambulatory users when you talk about ableism and wheelchair access needs. take care.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I have a degenerative disease and need help but was overwhelmed with the prices, I was happy to hear they have reconditioned ones! Yaaay! And you made it look glamorous 😊
Great vid and thanks for pointing out the issues with how they're marketed you're so right, they can be helpful for a wide variety of people and I'm glad you have one now.
Hey, I sell stairlifts in Illinois. We sell Ameriglide Rave 2 units which are an awesome unit for the lowest cost. Thanks for your input though! I started this business to help people, not profit off of people. I'll definitely keep everything you went through in mind.
You make a good point. It is awful that these companies selling very important mobility products really get to take advantage of their clientele. I am looking into chair lifts now for my mom and I know she would be easily taken advantaged of. She always says yes to things and doesn't question anything.
Had a similar experience when trying to get an adjustable bed. He even went as far as to accuse my husband of not wanting to help me when we said we would think about it. We found it hard to get rid of him.
i got one when i was 20 which felt really embracing. i don't use it anymore as I am in a powerchair now so cant have a second powerchair upstairs so am now just downstairs with a toilet and sink in the corner of my bedroom. my stairlift was really expensive due to how tight and steep my stairs are and there is a tight bend. i also needed specific things. thankfully I got a grant for it (I'm in Scotland)
THANK YOU GEM! Due to your own experience and recommendation, when I decided the time had come to buy a stairlift, I just contacted Kudos directly; one month later, I've had a reconditioned one installed and I am very happy with it. Kudos kept me informed throughout, were efficient and friendly too- what great customer service!( I used to work in customer services years ago, so am quite critical if it's poor)
Thank you for your advice. My Husband has reached the stage with his cancer where he is having falls, and we are going to get him a stair lift so he isn’t confined to one floor of the house. There is a lot to consider, and you gave me some clear places to start.🖤🇨🇦
Bless your heart! Very helpfull video, full of infos and tips for begginers. I am planning to get one for my Mother in future and Kudos will be the one in my top list! Wish you well lovely lady! 🌷
I dont have a need for one thankfully. But if I did need one, it would need to be one that I can ride my wheelchair on. Transfering is a no go with me. Glad you got one and finally found a company that was helpfull.
Yes I agree 100% do your research , I made 4 x phone calls for a new handicare 1100 prices varied from £1300 to £1950 all for the same product , got a guy coming around tomorrow and measure up with a £650 saving just as starters and my next thought will he haggle on his low price ? you dont ask you dont get !
Brilliant thank you ! Currently looking for a new house (in the UK) and moving from a bungalow to prob a house with stairs as daughter needs more room now 😉 so I’ve been looking into stairlifts a bit. Will def lookup Kudos thanks 👍
She is a very clever girl…it always amazes me that people can assume animals are stupid and dumb. These bats are so curious, right from the start, and they will figure out how a new thing in their environment works in no time. We should be grateful they don’t have opposable thumbs like ours, or they might well be ruling the world…they couldn’t do any worse than most humans manage. I love watching their minds working on a problem…and they are quick little geniuses. You folks did a fine job on so many babies needing rescue this season.🖤🇨🇦
Great video Gem! I hate pushy sales people, they suck! I had a similar experience when being "fitted" for my wheelchair. A few quick measurements and bam, sign here please. Glad I was reluctant, because that chair would not have been right for me. It's a shame how some people choose to take advantage of situations like these. I love that you didn't fall for it and got a good deal and customer service too. Also - I think your background music is a bit too loud on this video. Hope that is helpful ❤️✌️
I'm glad it all worked out for you and you were able to purchase from a friendly company! I hope if any of us in this household ever need one, we'll be able to find their equivalent on this side of the pond. Oddly enough, we actually wanted to build our house before we bought what we're in now and we got as far as getting plans professionally drawn up based on our initial graph paper wishes, and the architect we were working with insisted on either having a straight full flight staircase so that stair lifts would work cheaply or strategically planning closets so that there would be the option to renovate for a vertical lift. I've thought about renovating houses for a vertical lift ever since. I mentally assess every house I'm in. It would be possible in this house to install a vertical lift but either we'd lose a lot of space in the laundry/utility room downstairs and my art studio upstairs or it would have to replace half of the stairs. This is a split level house, so our second floor is above the basement but there's a half-way main floor that juts out to the other side, so there's a half flight of stairs going down to the basement or up to the bedrooms/studio and they're side by side. Directly above the half that goes down into the basement is just a linen cupboard the current attic access within that. If we moved the attic access and a vertical lift could open in 2 directions, it could replace the lower half stairs and the linen cupboard. The concern of course would be power outages. No one would be trapped in the basement, the property slopes so the basement and main floor exterior doors are both technically ground level, but it would be quite inconvenient. In my in-laws' new house a vertical lift would honestly be preferable to the staircase they've got now. It was built as a cabin, not a full-time residence, so certain building codes were looser. The staircase is probably not even a meter wide and it isn't long enough for the height it needs to deal with so the stairs have short treads with high rises. To make it worse they're done in the slipperiest laminate flooring I've ever come across and it seems like they realized that because there's raised nosing on every stair, but it takes up half the tread and it's wider than the arch of my foot but doesn't leave a foot length of flat behind it so I'm tempted to walk like a ballerina with my feet turned all the way out. They store their extra chairs downstairs and expect all us "youngins" (I'm 33) to fetch them when we come over for a meal. If I ever end up in a wheelchair due to traumatic injury, carrying chairs on that staircase will be what happened.
My mom loved her chair lift, it was soooo helpful in getting her up n down the stairs. Also helped the EMTs with my husband getting him downstairs when they needed to get him down post seizure. Only down side is needing to use a drill when the thing got stuck or power went out in the middle of it being used (that was a nightmare first first times). Wish I could have used it but sadly to long legs n the model gotten didnt support my weight.
Hello Gem. So happy to see you back. I haven't brought a stair lift (yet) but this video was really helpful and funny. When you talk about the larger companies it made me feal really uncomfortable so if I ever need a stair lift I am going straight to kudos. Thanks xx
I had asked for a lightweight self propelled wheelchair from my local wheelchair service. They felt I needed something more so I was given a quickie salsa mini electric wheelchair . It took 5 years from when they said I was in need of a wheelchair to actually getting one. In the meantime my daughter bought me a lightweight self propelled wheelchair. I love it. It gives me the freedom I dreamed of. I admit the electric wheelchair is good for local shopping. I use the self propelled wheelchair when I go anywhere in my car as i can get in the car. My wife and Daughter put the wheelchair in the boot. Thank god for quick release wheels. After the electric wheelchair was delivered it took just over 3 months for the local council to build a ramp so I Could actually get out with the electric wheelchair.
Gem I love your vlogs I had a stairlift a wet room my back door lowered so I can go over in my wheelchair a ramp was laid down so I could exit through the back door this was all done by social worker she was brilliant she was so good I use it every day as the bathroom is upstairs
Thanks for the insight. Good job sending those first two sales reps on their way. They sound straight out of Tin Men or Glengarry Glen Ross :). Great that you are happy with the end result.
Have definitely experienced those pushy and deceitful sales tactics when buying scooters and power chairs. When I bought my outdoor power chair 8 Years ago I went with careco as they seemed most knowledgeable and didn’t feel at all pushy. Their aftercare and after sales has been a bit mixed though. I would use them again though. Just about to shop for a folding power chair bit daunted!
I think it’s disgusting that mobility aids are being sold for whopping profits. I think there should be law’s on selling mobility aids. They aren’t luxury products, people don’t buy them because they want them. No people NEED them. It is appalling to hear that o many vulnerable people are scammed. It makes me sooooo angry. The government should put laws in place to prevent this dreadful greed.
Reconditioned is a great option for those who happen to have straight staircases, 90 degree turn partway up or something more complex, not so much, it's suddenly sweepstakes odds nothing available will fit. Don't even get me started on the quality of fitting for my dad's & my sister's, I basically had to fit additional brackets & bracing in both cases. Don't trust the company the council use, my sister's one collapsed twice before I stepped in & actually attached it securely, I had to add additional bracing for dad's within 3 months of it going in as well.
We got three quotes and ended up buying a reconditioned starlight with all the bells and whistles at 1/3 the cost, as advised by the engineer not the salesman. In six months we will takeout a maintenance contract.
I had a reconditioned one from South Wales Stairlifts it’s a stannah and it’s a god sent, excellent price, with a years warranty, I’ve since called them out for a yearly service which was extremely reasonable and they were very professional, I had the option to buy new from them, but they informed me of the price difference then I was sold lol ☺️ nothing worse than pushy sales men who do that “I’ll call my manager” crap I once experienced that with safestyle windows… never again.
I'm getting my stairlift today 🥹 I'm genuinely so excited 😅 I'm 36, I'm not a full time chair user but I had a mimic stoke in January and I've been waiting since then (I was going to need one eventually as i have hEDS, fibromyalgia and pots). I went through my council's adaptations team, they sorted out a grant for this and also my wheelchair ramp. It's one more step towards independence for me
Great video! Very informative. But if you can, please limit the background music to the parts where you are not talking. It is very distracting (for me)
I had knee surgery at 36. Had to be no weight bearing for a month. Left knee still needed surgery and I didn't trust it to support me on stairs. We have a tri-level. I needed to be able to go from the main floor to downstairs and back up. No lift, especially because it was temporary. So I did the sensible thing. Sit and scoot. By the end of the month, my tailbone hurt quite a bit.
I appreciated your experience an overview of the stair lift. As black woman, who was a quadraplegic in the past due to Gullain Barre syndrome, I fail to see what race has to do with interest in a stair lift. Many of us are exhausted with race being brought into every aspect of thought. It has become boring and patronizing even if you mean well. Consider focusing just on the attributes of your recommendations and staying away from linking every aspect of life to the colour of ones skin.
It really irks me when I hear of people taking the p*** out of us. Because I would know if they was but others might not know and the thought of someone being that rude and just discusting infuriates me..how do they sleep at night, they must not have any morality in them.
@@Wheelsnoheels yuck he sounds very cringe worthy. I did have a Specsavers guy say to me once if I could afford £50 I could probably afford £100 so I should get a more expensive pair of glasses 😒 I was like don't you dare make assumptions on my income and what I can and can't afford. £50 might be my absolute maximum budget or even pushing my budget for all you know. He felt very silly.
It disgusts me that they treat vulnerable people like this. This could be your nan being ripped off by of of these people who doesn't have the means to look around for a better deal.
I had a disabled grant for my bathroom refit but that took 2 years to go through! Had 2-3 years of washing without a shower as I couldn’t get into mine nor could a PA or career reach to help. I really hope we can get grant funding for a stairlift as soon as we need to move. The bathroom refit changed my daily life.
That story at the beginning! 🤦🏼♀️ Oh my gosh, I had no idea the door-to-door scam salesmen had spread to Chair Lifts now?? 😅 With the fake call to the boss and everything, tsk.
Cool video. Interesting how we never really consider the sales materials lacking in youthful representation. It's actually kind of stupid of them. When it comes to shopping for this stuff, Ugh. I hear ya. There's this whole market out there that caters to a specific demographic, and like any corporation these days, they do NOT want to make anything less than record profits every year. It's sick what they charge for mobility assistance devices. A little over a year ago my gram almost fell down the stairs and hurt her knee pretty badly. She swore she would never walk up those steps again, and being in her 90's, they're not about to move houses, nor did they want to move her bedroom downstairs. So... I went online and spent weeks trying to get rough ballpark pricing and ideas, there isn't any. I couldn't find used equipment anywhere, even though I'm told it's out there. Maybe if I had driven around to different showrooms, but gas is stupid expensive and I have a little social anxiety and was in no mood to try and convince salesmen to let me see what kind of used stuff they have laying in back. Long story short, we ended up building our own solution that's basically a smart dumbwaiter. Some would say it's illegal, but I say if they want to put me in jail and give me free room and board for helping Gram, I guess that's their prerogative. Commercially available elevators are either crazy expensive and require too much space or are of questionable quality and still take up a lot of space.
I noticed you transferring at the top of your stairs, is that not terrifying? Also do you have a chair for upstairs and downstairs? Im 28 and sadly I have a spinal cord issue that took my legs over a few weeks and im so scared, I'm hoping to go to rehab soon but my house isn't super friendly. (Also from the UK)
Sorry if I don't understand your comment, but spoons is basically a way of measuring the energy you have with a chronic illness. Each person has a set amount of "spoons" that they can use per day and each daily task uses a certain amount of spoons depending on how fatigued it makes you. It's basically just a way of physically representing energy. Hope that clears up some confusion :)
It’s sad that those 2 salespeople tried to take advantage. They see a handicapped person who needs the service so they figured they either don’t know better or haven’t done any research so they can charge them the moon. 😡🤬
I had a mostly positive experience with starlift purchasing back in 2014 as got it from Complete Care Shop. I had negative experience getting wheelchair once they gave me one didn't even want. lol
I have a ground floor flat so haven’t needed a stairlift but I too am a wheelchair user and can only walk short distances as I have EDS and fibromyalgia I actually had an incident where my previous carer stole my wheelchair and I had to fund my own but I used discount mobility to get a new wheelchair and they couldn’t of made me feel any more comfortable they went above and beyond to help me make sure I had a chair that suited my needs Probably wondering how my wheelchair was stolen My condition wasn’t as bad as it is now and this happened a few years ago My chair was in a cupboard and she took it whilst I was sleeping and took it home with her on her day off I know this comment isn’t totally relevant but I just wanted to get it out there to be careful with care companies as well
@@IceFish. thanks I’ve got one now coz my chair that was stolen was funded by council so had to pay to replace it it’s kind of a long story but thanks anyway
I'm sorry, but what? She stole your wheelchair? I thought I had bad help! They would steal food and the occasional laptop case, but why would they want a wheelchair? I would have had a fit if I woke up to my wheelchair had disappeared!
@@yourhandicapneighbor6218 I was so angry and it meant I couldn’t go out for weeks until I got a new one people like them are a joke to the profession and should be locked up
Yes, Im so silly I forgot to put the footage in of it. Its featured in my house tour liked in the Pinned comment. My last lift was a Bison 500 (i dont think they make them any more, and hense the parts were too expensive)
Your inference that older people are not as savvy as you is a bit rude. Plus you've pointed out it's white people who have these twice before 8:57. That's totally unnecessary. I'm expat Brit and live in Canada. But I've been affected by the consequences of a car accident when I was in my 30's. FYI, you don't have to be in a wheelchair to need a stairlift.
Tu est riche pour tout ça ? Je suis tétraplégique depuis 30 ans et je n'ai pas tout ça ! À part être alité et soigné ! Injection de morphine 30mg pour supporter la douleur imennse !
Hello my wonderful friends. Id love to hear your experience of buying mobility aids, good or bad.
This video is not sponsored, however if you want to check out Kudos Stairlifts (which is Gem approved) please feel free to mention me.
www.kudosstairlifts.co.uk
Here are some more Gemazing videos I have hand picked for you to check out next.
Last video (it went from bad to worse)
th-cam.com/video/sEmh9-MwCEM/w-d-xo.html
10 Tips for choosing a house as a wheelchair user
Wheelchair accessible Garden transformation
th-cam.com/video/8Cuq3MwFJbs/w-d-xo.html
Wheelchair accessible house tour
th-cam.com/video/7dBA3bLr6cQ/w-d-xo.html
Thankfully nobody has ever given me any issues, but my mum often says it's because I come across as if I don't take any 💩 😂 not sure if that's a compliment or not 😂😂😂😂😂
Love your video Keep up the good work
So glad you made this video!! I was just called finally after 14 months waiting from my city’s rehabilitation center staff to discuss the next steps to assist me in not being nearly bedridden in my home due to the stairs and waiting for another month or two for my electric chair to come in so I can move about and also leave my home when needed even with very little help from my husband if he’s in a conference call meeting etc, as we need a ramp and then of course the stairlift apparatus (with my husbands help of course) . It’s been some of the most trying times of my life and I’ve had countless years worth. We will have some snow and possibly a lot by this time so I won’t be galavanting around the neighbourhood in my new chair outside, but come spring and summer, I’ll be able to(depending on covid restrictions) get myself to the library, or to the grocery which is only a couple kms away and restaurants coffee shops, drs office, urgent care, (even if hubby has had to run out for some reason as it does happen even with covid.)etc. It will also give me the ability to take regular transit on a whim if I feel like I’m up for coffee with a friend but didn’t have esp 😉so didn’t book a spot on our disabled transport bus 7 days ahead🙄.(weather permitting of course.) I’ll possibly even be able to be out even if it may rain as there is a place on my chair that holds an umbrella to protect me and the electric parts from any rain if I should be stuck out for a small amount of time lol as long as we never have basically what happened a month ago again for another well hopefully never lol as we had a near miss with tornado. I don’t like sideways rain and trees falling in our front yard!) scary. Worst storm in my 48 yrs. anywho……thanks so much Gemma, you are a peach! I’ve been able to learn so much and do some better advocating for myself with all sorts of medical professionals, just even over the past 18 months, after dealing with literally 20 different doctors, specialists, over the phone, thru FaceTime-like apps, and having to go alone when some offices were open over the past 19 months, while that’s not including all the many other different staff members and nurses such also.(I have abi and my memory is not good for short term so it’s super frustrating going to appts alone due to my abi from my cardiac arrest and stroke. Plus with masks it’s much worse which I wouldn’t have ever imagined before it happened!)
It’s hard for me to comment and use my phone, but it’s a real lifeline. U maybe would believe me if I told u how long it took to type this while my eyes are so bad I cannot wear my glasses at the moment due to inflammation, and my hands of course, between pain and weakness, and tiresome &numb body parts lol I don’t comment too often but I try especially hard when I feel super moved emotionally by someone or I really wish for them to be helped or feel happy to read what I have to say etc. But again , every day/hour is different. I can go from feeling fine(my version lol) to being unable to do anything in a matter of fifteen down to an extreme of 3-5 minutes on bad days. I know I’m not alone due to people such as you Gemma and it really helps to know that I’m not an anomaly and I’m not a burden(even though of course being ill and disabled with whichever disorders/diseases/accidents/etc, is hard on most of our mental&emotional health , I think.)💗 thanks again Gemma, for keeping your channel so well stocked with great informative videos. 💗 ok spell check time lol.
@@JustWheelMe id take it as a good thing! 😀 it took me awhile but I’m nearly comfortable so to speak, even while on the inside my tummy is churning and my face and chest and neck are beat red and I may even cry at times but, I’ve come so far due to such awful mistreatment and having no apparent recourse, that my anger and depression caused me to basically “argue”(that’s what some of “them” call it.) but uh nope it’s called giving my side of things, standing up for myself when I know I’m being brushed off or handed a basket of total b.s. or worse, yelled at and threatened for standing for myself when being mentally played with and clearly lied to.
I just couldn’t take it anymore. Yes it takes many spoons each time I must work that hard to be heard or not ignored or not harmed or given dangerous or just wrong info etc. But if I don’t do it, it just leads to worse outcomes and they take more advantage and manipulate me and I’m sick of it. So if you can speak up I say do it! As long as you’re not cussing them out in return, not screaming your lung out or trying to hit them as I’ve had happen to me, then you are in the Right! To say what you believe! 💜
I had a hoveround chair that wouldn't drive straight so they sent out a technician to check it out. The guy didn't even touch the chair, he had me drive back and forth my living room. Then he said it wasn't a big deal and practically bullied me in signing his papers saying I was satisfied. It was definitely a good learning experience...
I got a quote from a large company. I ended up with the same make but through social services, I was told they cost half the price I was quoted. I have never had a break down in 5 years. However, I did pass out on mine and the belt held me securely and it stopped, while my husband used the ground floor controller to get me down the stairs. ( I still don't know how I ended up soaked to the skin when I came round) but I was totally safe hanging out of it and I have 2 bends in my staircase. WEAR YOUR BELTS PEOPLE IT CAME OUT OF THE BLUE!!!! I love your arm controller mine is getting awkward for me.
Oh goodess, good point for the belt, thanks for highlighting that. x
Thank you for that good piece of advice. I am thinking about getting a chair lift installed.
I had a stairlift fitted recently but I’m very self conscious, as a younger person with a (mostly) hidden disability, using it. Also it doesn’t help that literally every person who has come to my house mentions it, asks who it’s for and then looks at me weirdly. I’m struggling to get past feeling embarrassed about needing it.
It really does get easier as you get older. I remember as a kid I was very embarrassed for needing extra help but now that I am an adult it's actually led to very funny/interesting experiences! I'm 23 and I recently decided to just embrace it all, it's going alright so far. If anyone says something negative about you needing extra help, they aren't worth your time or effort, there's nothing wrong with you.
I totally relate to this. Ive been on video calls in the passed (people didnt know I was disabled) and they have laughed at the stair lift in the background. Then felt terrible when I todl them. I agree with @your handicap neighbour. it gets better as time goes on. Ive actually learned to accept help more, and I feel better for it, rather than reisiting all the time.
I think a stair lift would be a great addition to a house for anyone that can afford one. We never know when someone in the family may break a leg or foot or pull a muscle in their back and need one. I have vertigo at times and if I lived in a 2 story house, I would definitely want a stair lift.
You do not owe anyone an explanation for what you have in your home. If it makes your life easier it is worth it. Others are the ones with the problem. You are the smart one. I love mine!
One of our friends who is a quadriplegic built his house with an elevator. It is really cool! Huge advantages for all.
I wish they had a lift that could accommodate your chair? If someone could find a way to designed a lift that could slide out from beneath the bottom step and or could store in the bottom of the top step but when the lift is not in use the stairs would look like any regular steps? That would not take up space like an elevator but would do the same thing that an elevator would do? Nice video.
hi gem,
thank you so much for making these videos. i'm an ambulatory wheelchair user who found your channel when i realized i needed to finally get a proper, fitted chair instead of the bulky standard one i first got.
it's been a few years since i first got my chair, but because of my lack of ramp access, i could never use it outside my home. i always felt a bit of an imposter calling myself a wheelchair user when all i ever used it for was to roll a few feet to the bathroom.
i'm very happy to say that, after doing a bit of research, i've accepted that i need a power chair, and have finally gotten the prescription to start the process of getting a chair that suits my needs.
i'm also delighted to finally get support for installing a ramp into my home. for the first time in years, i'll be able to go outside when i'm not well enough to walk.
your channel has taught me so much about wheelchair lifestyle, and made me feel a lot more confident. i feel so much more prepared for dealing with my upcoming appointments, and i feel so much more assured in insisting that my access needs are not optional.
thank you so much for all you do. and thank you especially for remembering to include chronically ill and ambulatory users when you talk about ableism and wheelchair access needs.
take care.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I have a degenerative disease and need help but was overwhelmed with the prices, I was happy to hear they have reconditioned ones! Yaaay! And you made it look glamorous 😊
Great vid and thanks for pointing out the issues with how they're marketed you're so right, they can be helpful for a wide variety of people and I'm glad you have one now.
Hey, I sell stairlifts in Illinois. We sell Ameriglide Rave 2 units which are an awesome unit for the lowest cost. Thanks for your input though! I started this business to help people, not profit off of people. I'll definitely keep everything you went through in mind.
You make a good point. It is awful that these companies selling very important mobility products really get to take advantage of their clientele. I am looking into chair lifts now for my mom and I know she would be easily taken advantaged of. She always says yes to things and doesn't question anything.
I love your dress. I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end.
Had a similar experience when trying to get an adjustable bed. He even went as far as to accuse my husband of not wanting to help me when we said we would think about it. We found it hard to get rid of him.
Unfortually, I can belive that.....How crule of him. Hope you got something sorted xx
@@Wheelsnoheels I did thank you but not with that company. I ended up getting a good deal at a local shop x
i got one when i was 20 which felt really embracing. i don't use it anymore as I am in a powerchair now so cant have a second powerchair upstairs so am now just downstairs with a toilet and sink in the corner of my bedroom. my stairlift was really expensive due to how tight and steep my stairs are and there is a tight bend. i also needed specific things. thankfully I got a grant for it (I'm in Scotland)
THANK YOU GEM! Due to your own experience and recommendation, when I decided the time had come to buy a stairlift, I just contacted Kudos directly; one month later, I've had a reconditioned one installed and I am very happy with it. Kudos kept me informed throughout, were efficient and friendly too- what great customer service!( I used to work in customer services years ago, so am quite critical if it's poor)
Oh, thank you so much for this video. I didn't know about 2nd. hand chairlifts. It's definitely something to keep in mind 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻.
You can purchase perfectly useable reconditioned stair lifts at a fractional cost of a new one. (always worth checking it out)
Thank you for your advice. My Husband has reached the stage with his cancer where he is having falls, and we are going to get him a stair lift so he isn’t confined to one floor of the house. There is a lot to consider, and you gave me some clear places to start.🖤🇨🇦
Bless your heart! Very helpfull video, full of infos and tips for begginers. I am planning to get one for my Mother in future and Kudos will be the one in my top list!
Wish you well lovely lady! 🌷
I dont have a need for one thankfully. But if I did need one, it would need to be one that I can ride my wheelchair on. Transfering is a no go with me. Glad you got one and finally found a company that was helpfull.
Yes I agree 100% do your research , I made 4 x phone calls for a new handicare 1100 prices varied from £1300 to £1950 all for the same product , got a guy coming around tomorrow and measure up with a £650 saving just as starters and my next thought will he haggle on his low price ? you dont ask you dont get !
Brilliant thank you ! Currently looking for a new house (in the UK) and moving from a bungalow to prob a house with stairs as daughter needs more room now 😉 so I’ve been looking into stairlifts a bit. Will def lookup Kudos thanks 👍
Thank you, Wheelsnoheels, for a great video!
She is a very clever girl…it always amazes me that people can assume animals are stupid and dumb. These bats are so curious, right from the start, and they will figure out how a new thing in their environment works in no time. We should be grateful they don’t have opposable thumbs like ours, or they might well be ruling the world…they couldn’t do any worse than most humans manage. I love watching their minds working on a problem…and they are quick little geniuses. You folks did a fine job on so many babies needing rescue this season.🖤🇨🇦
Great video Gem! I hate pushy sales people, they suck! I had a similar experience when being "fitted" for my wheelchair. A few quick measurements and bam, sign here please. Glad I was reluctant, because that chair would not have been right for me. It's a shame how some people choose to take advantage of situations like these. I love that you didn't fall for it and got a good deal and customer service too.
Also - I think your background music is a bit too loud on this video. Hope that is helpful ❤️✌️
Great tips. We are expecting someone momentarily regarding a stair lift for me. I don't need it yet, but will in the near future.
I'm glad it all worked out for you and you were able to purchase from a friendly company! I hope if any of us in this household ever need one, we'll be able to find their equivalent on this side of the pond.
Oddly enough, we actually wanted to build our house before we bought what we're in now and we got as far as getting plans professionally drawn up based on our initial graph paper wishes, and the architect we were working with insisted on either having a straight full flight staircase so that stair lifts would work cheaply or strategically planning closets so that there would be the option to renovate for a vertical lift. I've thought about renovating houses for a vertical lift ever since. I mentally assess every house I'm in. It would be possible in this house to install a vertical lift but either we'd lose a lot of space in the laundry/utility room downstairs and my art studio upstairs or it would have to replace half of the stairs. This is a split level house, so our second floor is above the basement but there's a half-way main floor that juts out to the other side, so there's a half flight of stairs going down to the basement or up to the bedrooms/studio and they're side by side. Directly above the half that goes down into the basement is just a linen cupboard the current attic access within that. If we moved the attic access and a vertical lift could open in 2 directions, it could replace the lower half stairs and the linen cupboard. The concern of course would be power outages. No one would be trapped in the basement, the property slopes so the basement and main floor exterior doors are both technically ground level, but it would be quite inconvenient.
In my in-laws' new house a vertical lift would honestly be preferable to the staircase they've got now. It was built as a cabin, not a full-time residence, so certain building codes were looser. The staircase is probably not even a meter wide and it isn't long enough for the height it needs to deal with so the stairs have short treads with high rises. To make it worse they're done in the slipperiest laminate flooring I've ever come across and it seems like they realized that because there's raised nosing on every stair, but it takes up half the tread and it's wider than the arch of my foot but doesn't leave a foot length of flat behind it so I'm tempted to walk like a ballerina with my feet turned all the way out. They store their extra chairs downstairs and expect all us "youngins" (I'm 33) to fetch them when we come over for a meal. If I ever end up in a wheelchair due to traumatic injury, carrying chairs on that staircase will be what happened.
Brilliant recommendations.
What a great, informative video! I’ll definitely come back to this if I ever need to buy a stair lift 👍
I'd love to get one of those, but we're in a rental. That chairlift looks awesome Gem!
Yey I’m happy for you that stair lift looks amazing 😻 and those stairs really look like a pain !
My mom loved her chair lift, it was soooo helpful in getting her up n down the stairs. Also helped the EMTs with my husband getting him downstairs when they needed to get him down post seizure. Only down side is needing to use a drill when the thing got stuck or power went out in the middle of it being used (that was a nightmare first first times). Wish I could have used it but sadly to long legs n the model gotten didnt support my weight.
Perfect timing! We had a salesperson come around and quote more than £5k for a stairlift....
sorry you had to go through that. i went through the same thing trying to get a wheel chair,thx
Hello Gem. So happy to see you back. I haven't brought a stair lift (yet) but this video was really helpful and funny. When you talk about the larger companies it made me feal really uncomfortable so if I ever need a stair lift I am going straight to kudos. Thanks xx
Im so glad it helped. I honestly thought id be safe with the larger compaines. But has you saw, it was a bit of an ordeal. Defo shop around. :)
@@Wheelsnoheels yes I completely agree
I had asked for a lightweight self propelled wheelchair from my local wheelchair service. They felt I needed something more so I was given a quickie salsa mini electric wheelchair . It took 5 years from when they said I was in need of a wheelchair to actually getting one. In the meantime my daughter bought me a lightweight self propelled wheelchair. I love it. It gives me the freedom I dreamed of. I admit the electric wheelchair is good for local shopping. I use the self propelled wheelchair when I go anywhere in my car as i can get in the car. My wife and Daughter put the wheelchair in the boot. Thank god for quick release wheels. After the electric wheelchair was delivered it took just over 3 months for the local council to build a ramp so I Could actually get out with the electric wheelchair.
Fantastic video! Came across your videos today and have subscribed! X
I live you .You are a great woman
I'm in a wheelchair I still have a brain thanks for the information Gem have a day love from TEXAS
Gem I love your vlogs I had a stairlift a wet room my back door lowered so I can go over in my wheelchair a ramp was laid down so I could exit through the back door this was all done by social worker she was brilliant she was so good I use it every day as the bathroom is upstairs
You are gorgeous lady with courage and Life. 👍 Love from India ❤️
Thanks for the insight. Good job sending those first two sales reps on their way. They sound straight out of Tin Men or Glengarry Glen Ross :). Great that you are happy with the end result.
Have definitely experienced those pushy and deceitful sales tactics when buying scooters and power chairs. When I bought my outdoor power chair 8 Years ago I went with careco as they seemed most knowledgeable and didn’t feel at all pushy. Their aftercare and after sales has been a bit mixed though. I would use them again though. Just about to shop for a folding power chair bit daunted!
I think it’s disgusting that mobility aids are being sold for whopping profits. I think there should be law’s on selling mobility aids. They aren’t luxury products, people don’t buy them because they want them. No people NEED them. It is appalling to hear that o many vulnerable people are scammed. It makes me sooooo angry. The government should put laws in place to prevent this dreadful greed.
what an amazing person you are
the best company for stairlifts i think are stannah cause they are a family run bussiness and are friendly when you do get one
I just love your accent !
These four tips could be applicable for purchasing any mobility or disability aid!
Reconditioned is a great option for those who happen to have straight staircases, 90 degree turn partway up or something more complex, not so much, it's suddenly sweepstakes odds nothing available will fit.
Don't even get me started on the quality of fitting for my dad's & my sister's, I basically had to fit additional brackets & bracing in both cases.
Don't trust the company the council use, my sister's one collapsed twice before I stepped in & actually attached it securely, I had to add additional bracing for dad's within 3 months of it going in as well.
We got three quotes and ended up buying a reconditioned starlight with all the bells and whistles at 1/3 the cost, as advised by the engineer not the salesman. In six months we will takeout a maintenance contract.
I had a reconditioned one from South Wales Stairlifts it’s a stannah and it’s a god sent, excellent price, with a years warranty, I’ve since called them out for a yearly service which was extremely reasonable and they were very professional, I had the option to buy new from them, but they informed me of the price difference then I was sold lol ☺️ nothing worse than pushy sales men who do that “I’ll call my manager” crap I once experienced that with safestyle windows… never again.
OMG me too. I had a terrible experiences when trying to buy windows lol. Thats how I was savvy to it for the lifts. Glad you had a good experience. x
Thank you
This video was a real….."Gem"😉😘
Love it
Excellent vídeo sugestion!
I'm getting my stairlift today 🥹 I'm genuinely so excited 😅 I'm 36, I'm not a full time chair user but I had a mimic stoke in January and I've been waiting since then (I was going to need one eventually as i have hEDS, fibromyalgia and pots). I went through my council's adaptations team, they sorted out a grant for this and also my wheelchair ramp. It's one more step towards independence for me
Great video! Very informative. But if you can, please limit the background music to the parts where you are not talking. It is very distracting (for me)
nice info. About how much for a new vs. used lift? Yours Looks very nice.
Nice video Gem! We are also in search for a refurbished stairlift. How is yours working? Does it outlast the warranty period?
My dad fitted that😂
I had knee surgery at 36. Had to be no weight bearing for a month. Left knee still needed surgery and I didn't trust it to support me on stairs. We have a tri-level. I needed to be able to go from the main floor to downstairs and back up. No lift, especially because it was temporary. So I did the sensible thing. Sit and scoot. By the end of the month, my tailbone hurt quite a bit.
I just saw this in my subscription box for for a second thought that this was from an able bodied TH-cam and BOY was I upset
Hi my friend I started watching your videos a few years ago you seem to be very i like that
I appreciated your experience an overview of the stair lift. As black woman, who was a quadraplegic in the past due to Gullain Barre syndrome, I fail to see what race has to do with interest in a stair lift. Many of us are exhausted with race being brought into every aspect of thought. It has become boring and patronizing even if you mean well. Consider focusing just on the attributes of your recommendations and staying away from linking every aspect of life to the colour of ones skin.
It really irks me when I hear of people taking the p*** out of us. Because I would know if they was but others might not know and the thought of someone being that rude and just discusting infuriates me..how do they sleep at night, they must not have any morality in them.
I just talk about bowels or bodily functions, they soon make off!!!
I know, it makes my blood boil too. Which is why I wanted to make this video. He was such a horrid sweaty man
@@Wheelsnoheels yuck he sounds very cringe worthy. I did have a Specsavers guy say to me once if I could afford £50 I could probably afford £100 so I should get a more expensive pair of glasses 😒 I was like don't you dare make assumptions on my income and what I can and can't afford. £50 might be my absolute maximum budget or even pushing my budget for all you know. He felt very silly.
It disgusts me that they treat vulnerable people like this. This could be your nan being ripped off by of of these people who doesn't have the means to look around for a better deal.
I had a disabled grant for my bathroom refit but that took 2 years to go through! Had 2-3 years of washing without a shower as I couldn’t get into mine nor could a PA or career reach to help. I really hope we can get grant funding for a stairlift as soon as we need to move. The bathroom refit changed my daily life.
That story at the beginning! 🤦🏼♀️ Oh my gosh, I had no idea the door-to-door scam salesmen had spread to Chair Lifts now?? 😅 With the fake call to the boss and everything, tsk.
Cool video. Interesting how we never really consider the sales materials lacking in youthful representation. It's actually kind of stupid of them. When it comes to shopping for this stuff, Ugh. I hear ya. There's this whole market out there that caters to a specific demographic, and like any corporation these days, they do NOT want to make anything less than record profits every year. It's sick what they charge for mobility assistance devices. A little over a year ago my gram almost fell down the stairs and hurt her knee pretty badly. She swore she would never walk up those steps again, and being in her 90's, they're not about to move houses, nor did they want to move her bedroom downstairs.
So... I went online and spent weeks trying to get rough ballpark pricing and ideas, there isn't any. I couldn't find used equipment anywhere, even though I'm told it's out there. Maybe if I had driven around to different showrooms, but gas is stupid expensive and I have a little social anxiety and was in no mood to try and convince salesmen to let me see what kind of used stuff they have laying in back. Long story short, we ended up building our own solution that's basically a smart dumbwaiter. Some would say it's illegal, but I say if they want to put me in jail and give me free room and board for helping Gram, I guess that's their prerogative. Commercially available elevators are either crazy expensive and require too much space or are of questionable quality and still take up a lot of space.
I noticed you transferring at the top of your stairs, is that not terrifying? Also do you have a chair for upstairs and downstairs?
Im 28 and sadly I have a spinal cord issue that took my legs over a few weeks and im so scared, I'm hoping to go to rehab soon but my house isn't super friendly. (Also from the UK)
❤️
I’m just curious, do you need two wheelchair?one is on the ground floor and other one on upstairs?
2:49 it will use less spoons???
Sorry if I don't understand your comment, but spoons is basically a way of measuring the energy you have with a chronic illness. Each person has a set amount of "spoons" that they can use per day and each daily task uses a certain amount of spoons depending on how fatigued it makes you. It's basically just a way of physically representing energy. Hope that clears up some confusion :)
It’s sad that those 2 salespeople tried to take advantage. They see a handicapped person who needs the service so they figured they either don’t know better or haven’t done any research so they can charge them the moon. 😡🤬
It souldnt be aloud, and there sould be strickter guild lines
💪🏿🔥
3 words You are beautiful!
super
And how much are rein conditioned stair lift
Top tip is to get a bungalow
I had a mostly positive experience with starlift purchasing back in 2014 as got it from Complete Care Shop.
I had negative experience getting wheelchair once they gave me one didn't even want. lol
Buying used is also better for the environment since you aren't paying to make another thing that will eventually go to landfill.
Hmm interesting. I didn’t know that was a thing, a rein conditioning star lift
What make and model did you buy?
Is the seat adjustable up and down?
I have a ground floor flat so haven’t needed a stairlift but I too am a wheelchair user and can only walk short distances as I have EDS and fibromyalgia
I actually had an incident where my previous carer stole my wheelchair and I had to fund my own but I used discount mobility to get a new wheelchair and they couldn’t of made me feel any more comfortable they went above and beyond to help me make sure I had a chair that suited my needs
Probably wondering how my wheelchair was stolen
My condition wasn’t as bad as it is now and this happened a few years ago
My chair was in a cupboard and she took it whilst I was sleeping and took it home with her on her day off
I know this comment isn’t totally relevant but I just wanted to get it out there to be careful with care companies as well
YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL CAN HELP YOU WITH FUNDING FOR A CHAIR
@@IceFish. thanks I’ve got one now coz my chair that was stolen was funded by council so had to pay to replace it it’s kind of a long story but thanks anyway
I'm sorry, but what? She stole your wheelchair? I thought I had bad help! They would steal food and the occasional laptop case, but why would they want a wheelchair? I would have had a fit if I woke up to my wheelchair had disappeared!
@@yourhandicapneighbor6218 I was so angry and it meant I couldn’t go out for weeks until I got a new one people like them are a joke to the profession and should be locked up
Thats terrible. there really are some horrendous people out there.
2.49...
Use less spoons ?? 🤔
Did I hear you say that you previously had a stair lift? What was your last one.?
Yes, Im so silly I forgot to put the footage in of it. Its featured in my house tour liked in the Pinned comment. My last lift was a Bison 500 (i dont think they make them any more, and hense the parts were too expensive)
can these go around doorframes ?
👍💐😍
My stair left is very loud.
No shit... no younger person wants any medical equipment advertised by seniors.
Which is the model of this one please? Or the company?
www.kudosstairlifts.co.uk/stairlifts/ hope it helps
How can I find one in my area
how much did you get paid from Kudos for your add
Absolutely nothing 😕
This is not an ad, otherwise I would have disclosed it
Use less spoons?
Disabled person speak for ‘use less energy’ when you have a condition where energy is a major limiting factor
Your inference that older people are not as savvy as you is a bit rude. Plus you've pointed out it's white people who have these twice before 8:57. That's totally unnecessary. I'm expat Brit and live in Canada. But I've been affected by the consequences of a car accident when I was in my 30's. FYI, you don't have to be in a wheelchair to need a stairlift.
Tu est riche pour tout ça ? Je suis tétraplégique depuis 30 ans et je n'ai pas tout ça ! À part être alité et soigné ! Injection de morphine 30mg pour supporter la douleur imennse !
Do you really talk like this ?
🤣🤣