My Step Father's Action TrackChair (Vanity)

10/4/2016 | Malsua

[Malsua]

My Step Father, a marine, did 3 tours in Vietnam, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines "The Walking Dead". He was combat wounded twice, earning two purple hearts, one was earned as he was shot while carrying his buddy to the med facility. He made it with both of them by the way. He was in Khe Sahn during the thick of it and the Tet offensive and saw a lot of action, including a 3 day objective that turned into 3 months. He was Honorably discharged at the Rank of Sergeant in 1969.

He passed away on September 22, 2016 after a lengthy illness. I had known him for 40 years and in many ways he was more of a father to me than my biological father.

Among some of the things he left behind, was my mother, his wife of 30 years and an Action TrackChair. He was an avid hunter and even was an FFL and owned a hunting and fishing shop for many years. He however took 2/3rds of their income with him when he went

This chair cost over $12,000 when he purchased it in 2014. It's still in 100% working order

I would love to see this chair end up in the hands of a Veteran however, I can't in good conscience just donate this chair. My mother will need at least some of the value of the chair to live on in her remaining years.

Anyone know how I can meet these objectives? I need to get something from the Chair but I'd also like to see it go to a Veteran. Most places just want a donation, and as much as I'd like to do that, my mother will need the money to live on.

Thanks for any suggestions

[BykrBayb]

How much?

Can it be modified to operate with just the left hand?

[Big Red Badger]

Giddy-Up Go!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Bumping for a good cause

[Sasparilla]

So sorry for the loss of your Dad.

[NEMDF]

Same questions as BykrBayb. Can it be used with just the left hand? Cost?

Combat-wounded Marine (Fallujah, Iraq Nov 8, 2004) relative double-amputee.

Thank you.

[Malsua]

>>>How much?

Can it be modified to operate with just the left hand?<<<

They come with the controls for either hand, so I’m sure it could be modified. I don’t have any idea what that might mean, but possibly you could just re-route the wires from one side to the other. For what it’s worth, the “elevator” is on the left hand...there’s a toggle there than tilts the chair forward and back using the cylinder located at the front center of the seat.

I really would like to get 8k but I’m guessing we’ll have to settle for less. My mother is going into an independent living facility that costs about $2200/month and 3-4 months of expenses would be wonderful.

[teeman8r]

ebay auction to see what it will bring and set the price to 9000 or whatever you wish to seel it for... couldn’t hurt

t

good luck and God Bless.

love the treads.

[knarf]

C’MON GUYS AND GALS .... BID ON IT .... HELP A VET’S WIDOW OUT !

[Malsua]

ebay auction to see what it will bring and set the price to 9000

My issue with Ebay is two fold.

1st, the fees on something like this will run almost 10% of the selling price.

2nd, it might just go to an opportunistic buyer who then resells it for more money.

John would have preferred it go to someone with military service. Not that I have anything against other folks with mobility issues, I'm just trying to pay it forward to a vet, is all.

[knarf]

ping for your world of contacts

[BykrBayb]

The more I think about it, it looks a little too dangerous for my husband. He’s had a stroke, and doesn’t always think clearly. Like right now. Gotta go do damage control.

[jch10]

Check with local medical supply places. Some rent out power chairs for weekends, etc. They might buy it.

Good luck.

[smokingfrog]

Bfl

[Malsua]

Check with local medical supply places.

I've tried a couple places, everyone wants it free. Again, I wish I could donate it, but my mother is now on a fixed SS income.

[Robert357]

There is free and then there is “free.” My suggestion would be to contact a local major university Mechanical Engineering Department. Many of them have engineering design capstone classes where engineering students build medical devices for people who are handicapped as a way of combining theory with practice. Tell then what you have told us, that you want it to go to a veteran, but you need to get some value for it.

Large Universities are good at doing fund raising for students and student projects. Also they can offer tax benefits for donations and help value things. While you might not get top dollar, you might get enough in charitable donation tax benefits, and some money to make it worthwhile.

Good luck.

[Malsua]

Good luck.

Well, I just got a phone call from the dealer, so I may have my answer! I put out enough feelers and the message got to the right people I guess.

[teeman8r]

noble, but no vet would like to think of your mom not getting as much as she could, or fault you for taking care of your mom first.

God Bless and good luck.

[Vermont Lt]

Go to your local VFW or American Legion post.

Or, go into the VA and speak to someone who works with the patients (not an administrator). I guarantee you, they know someone in need.

I like the looks of that thing. How fast can it go? Too bad I live in the city...all of the cement around here would tear those treads to hell and back.

[BykrBayb]

so I may have my answer!

I hope you do. I wish you the best of luck. God bless you and your Mom.