I do not have any advice myself regarding car medels. But, when we were
looking for a vehicle (we ended up getting a used accessible van) I looked
on the manufacturor websites. I don't know if you have time, but if
so...give it a try. Under "specifications" on those models, you can find
the dimensions. You can also try "build your own car" which doesn't take
long and will give you a price range.
When I was looking, my rehab therapists were advising 2 door models since
they have wider doors. Chevrolet has the Monte Carlo which starts, nicely
equipped, at 18,000. The other 2 door models I found were the Pontiac
Grandam and GrandPrix. You might want to stay away from the smaller cars
since you will need somewhere for the wheelchair. We had to rent cars for a
while and we found that the Taurus worked well and was a good size. Hope
that helps some
re Bill's gi symptoms. Ask his dr about to see if they can check for
gastroparesis . Btw, most docs seem to rely on the upper gi test, but the
upper gi isn't very helpful...a gastric emptying study is the best way.
There are meds that can help and I would suggest he ask them if Propulsid
(Cisapride) is worth a try. Regaln is also used, but be careful with the
latter since it made my urinary retention problem much worse.
Take care!
Mykella
Good luck!
Barbara Dusel wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I haven't read my incoming mail - Bill has been really sick (probably
> something like blockage or ulcer, not catching)....some type of pain in
> the stomach area - and I've been busy running back and forth, but to my
> question because I want to get it out there.
>
> We are looking for a 99 vehicle. I'm poor but my Mother is going to
> buy one for me (maybe) and her bank guy wants me to get a small or
> medium-sized new car. The bank is leery of used cars, even program
> cars.
>
> Do any of you have any idea what type of car, okay like Nissan Altima
> or Chevy Malibu - something comparable in price like $17,000-20,000 -
> where the door would open up wide enough for a wheelchair to pull up
> there in order for Bill to scoot over to his left. His wheelchair is oh
> about 26" and he can pull up to these newer doors on the small cars but
> I figure it would be hard for him to "hop" at an angle.
>
> Okay, my 85 Oldsmobile has a door span, the way I measure it of 33"
> and the Regal has a span of 27".....he never tried to get in the Regal
> but when he pulls up to it he is back a little ways. He'd have to lunge
> forward instead of scooting to the left as in the Olds.
>
> The Trust won't let me keep the Olds just to drive to the VA with him
> - the say I have to get rid of the older car. I suppose that makes
> sense to not insure 3 cars.
> And Bill can't afford to take it and insure it.
>
> So,....I'm figuring some of you might have experience transferring
> into certain cars--probably 97 or 98 but maybe they would compare to the
> newer ones. He can scoot over just so well in the 85 Olds. I think a
> Buick LaSabre is probably more than $20,000. Any ideas? If you all
> don't know right now, maybe you could keep an eye out later on as you
> talk to people and let me know.
>
> Thanks a lot! I promise to read the old emails in the next 3 days.
> That is, if the ambulance doesn't go to Bill's again---he's been sick 10
> days and fell once. The ambulance guys didn't understand TM too
> well----they were real nice, but figured he was just an old guy who
> fell, and they hurried on their way. From what I've read, he has
> symptoms comparable to MYKELLA's sometimes.
>
> Thanks and sorry I went on.
>
> Barb D. in Louisville hanging in here.