Handicap Accessories

It is a shame that those devices and products can be so expensive, . Does the Canadian health care system cover any of it? I am not sure about private insurance, but Medicare and Medicaid will cover many of those things with a doctor's order. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of that, so they pay for them out of pocket or go with out. I hope you are enjoying your new power wheelchair and that you are getting some cooler fall weather. Best wishes! Lori (Team Member)

As seniors and long term handicap realities, Canada makes life much easier. Some things are not covered anymore, but fortunately, we are doing okay financially dispite still needing products no longer financially available and they cost. My walk-aide for example is not covered for anyone any longer. When it was developed, it was developed in Edmonton, Alberta, at the University of Alberta, and once they were satisfied with the product, they sold the rights to it to the USA, and they costs went through the roof. Fortunately as I have said before, I was in on it's development and it was given to me for trial purposes. That was 14 years or more ago and it is still doing it's job helping drop fit kept at bay. To order one now, the cost is upwards of $10,000. Worth it for sure if you can afford it, but many folks on disability cannot. As new developments are being tried, like something kind of a zapper on the tongue, but haven't heard much in recent times about it. Anyone on this site that own the Walk-Aide are extremely happy with it, but many complain that the zapper hurts and won't use it. With all the trials, pains and issues with MS, to me the zapper is ignorable and always has been. With the population explosions, health care in both countires is under an incredible strain and the common folks like ourselves don't realize that all the quote free healthcare for all, only applies to those who, quote, are on welfare, not us. As welfare continues to grow and the less people that have it are paying huge taxes to cover it. And again, anyone on welfare, get it all. We are living in an age where 6th generations of the same family are still on welfare. When it first began, it was for a short term while folks were tasked with finding employment. But, once it took hold, it never quit. Both countires are suffering the consequence of that mentality. I don't worry a whole lot about any of it, but as being in the senior crowd, that discussion is always at hand. I listen to the US President and our Prime Minister are still dolling out more welfare and the rest of us are paying the higher taxes to cover it. It would be awesome if either the pres or prime minsiter acknowledged that while doling out more great advantages to those who don't pay taxes. hmmmmm. Sorry about the rant, but it gets irritating. Meanwhile, Canada is still grieving over the loss of the Queen. The power chair hasn't arrived yet and may still take a few more months so I hear. Just trying to be as careful as I can and I have a Medical Alert hanging around my neck . Take care Lori. We still belly laugh every day, it helps us and anyone around us.

I was trying to say that health care here in Canada is second to none.

As I listen to the news on both sides of the border, healthcare is a crap shoot. I am lucky here in Alberta to have a doctor that understands MS and most important, understands me. I am stubborn, old enough to know what works for me and where to get what I need. We live in an over 55 condo community, no kids, no pets. The suite is lovely, but whoever designed it obviously didn't have their thinking cap on. I have available to me most everything I need, but when I called and asked for bars in the shower they came out with a butt load of bars to give me what I wanted, but oops, the tub, shower stall is whatever that plastic stuff is and there is no possibility of adding bars to it. The tub has one handle but it is down to my knees and unreachable for me, nor my husband who does not have MS, but age factors for us older folks makes simple things more desirable. Another possibility said the guy with the bars that I couldn't use, suggested a poll outside the tub area. As I gave up poll dancing as a teenager, I couldn't see how it would work for me. So, I use one of those bars you can get wherever that has suction cups. I put it up at shower level and make sure it is solid enough to take my shower, then as I am ocd and want to dry the shower stall down, I move it every few feet to accomplish that goal, then I move it to the top of the tub to help me get off my plastic shower chair and back down to the floor. The powers that be say it isn't safe, but duh! of course not, but I do my best to be careful. Maybe if I win the lottery, I will put a proper shower in with the included bars for safety. So my unsolicited advice here is, be careful what you ask for, it may not really be what you need or want. Our condo units are filled with folks way the hell over 75 and too many accidents happen.