My MS and a wonky spine.

At the end of 2017 I went from using my manual Trekinetic to a Quickie Salsa electric wheelchair only to find that my specialist seating nurse felt that I needed something additional that would cater for my needs by helping my posture. In May 2019 I began the process of visiting an NHS Department in Oxfordshire, this took several visits over 6 months before it was completed. The seating has been really helpful and has lateral supports incorporated within it. Over the years my curvature of the spine has got worse and I need the specialist seating to hold me in place so I have a good posture.

 

Now I am living in Hampshire and being seen by the wheelchair services down here they have decided that my specialist seating needs to be remoulded. This is outsourced to a company called Delichon Ltd, their strap line is Performance Seating Systems. Hubby and I went to the premises of Hampshire Wheelchair Services which is just 25 minutes away from where we live. I was introduced to Martin and PJ who own the company.It turns out that they helped develop the system that I had in Oxfordshire, which gave me the confidence that they knew exactly what they were talking about.

First of all a mould of my bottom and back had to be taken. This was done by me being hoisted out of my wheelchair and onto a beanbag.

 

 

 

Then for the really whizzy bit and this is where there was such a big difference between now and then. In Oxfordshire I was sent home after the mould had been taken but with Delichon Ltd (www.Delichon.uk) they have the ability to manage everything in just two visits. It certainly is a unique selling point.  The foam once the imprint has been taken is ready to carve. Martin and PJs workshop is portable and all contained in their Sprinter Panel van. It won’t come as a surprise to you but of course I asked if I could be present and watch the carving of the foam. The van has a sliding side door so I was able to watch everything that Martin did, he had already given me permission for hubby to photograph all steps of the process. I was completely fascinated that such a high tech piece of equipment could be carried about in the back of a van. I’m really not sure how to describe the next bit, so I hope between the photos and my random ramblings you will get the idea.

A new piece of foam is placed in a sealed see through large box, then outside the box they place the moulded beanbag. A laser instrument is run over the moulding and the message is sent through the long extension arm and into the box where it cuts the new piece of foam. Below are the pictures of this part of the process (I really do hope it makes sense).

The freshly carved pieces of foam were then taken back inside to the consulting room. Once again I was hoisted out of my chair and sat on the freshly carved foam to insure it all fitted perfectly.

Then my final task for this first visit was to choose the colour of the fabric it was all going to be covered in. I’m sure it comes as no great surprise but the covers are purple again. The foam was now going to be taken away to their offices/workshop, tidied up and covers made.

This week I went for appointment number two. Hoisted back up in the air I watched Martin and PJ dismantle my existing seating and attach the new seating which had been made.


Now it was time to try the new seating. It felt really good with the exception of the support under my right upper arm, thankfully that was soon resolved. 

Another advantage of having the mobile workshop, Martin was able to take the back rest out to the van and shave an amount off. After the second time of sitting in the chair I felt really comfortable and upright. I thanked everybody and was then on my way home.

Today I am pleased to report that hubby was able to get me in the chair ensuring my posture was correct.

I’m really impressed with everything wheelchair services and Delichon have done for me.

Thank you!