Posted on 12/02/2011 6:29:35 PM PST by grundle
A man from Nyköping in eastern Sweden has been denied a power wheelchair despite having had both of his legs amputated as the local health authority remained "uncertain if the impairment was permanent".
The man had his legs amputated after a long struggle with diabetes, but despite being unable get about, his application for a power wheelchair has been denied.
“I was bitterly disappointed in the local authorities. I don’t feel I got the support I deserve,” Evert Stefansson told The Local.
Evert Stefansson had struggled with his health for a long time. As a long-suffering diabetic his kidneys have taken a beating, as has his eyesight.
About a year ago, his condition took a turn for the worse when his toe suddenly went black.
He was rushed to hospital where they had no other choice than to amputate his leg. Within a year, they had to take his other leg too.
Since then Evert has experienced some difficulty in getting about.
He might be able to walk short distances again with prosthetic legs, but that will take up to a year, according to his wife Siv.
Siv, also on early retirement due to a bad back, told The Local how she is forced to help her husband with everything and how he remains completely dependent on her.
In order to regain some of his independence, Stefansson applied for a so-called Permobile, a power wheelchair, that he could manoeuvre himself.
“But I had my suspicions right from the start that it wouldn’t be easy, when the woman from the county visited. She sort of hinted that he could have an ordinary electric wheelchair,” Siv Stefansson said.
The electric wheelchair was less desirable as it would still need a carer operating it, and would therefore not allow Stefansson to get about by himself, without the constant help of his wife.
However, the motivation for the county council’s decision was allegedly that it was “uncertain if the impairment was permanent”, reported local media.
After the couple found out that Evert’s application would be rejected, Siv decided to take the matter into her own hands.
“I got angry. It just isn’t right that he has worked all his life but now can’t do anything that he loves anymore. Not even go fishing,” she told The Local.
“I decided to contact the papers and the broadcast media. And it was definitely what was needed.”
Through media’s reports, a woman in the nearby area caught wind of the couple’s plight and contacted her brother, who works with permobiles and has previously helped others in the same predicament.
“She told him ‘you better do something about this’ - and he did,” Siv Stefansson said.
Thanks to the woman's initiative, Evert’s new permobile will arrive next week, on loan from the company that manufactures them.
“I am overjoyed! It is by far the best Christmas present we could receive,” Siv Stefansson told The Local.
i guess my point is, the people on this thread are looking at buying their own electric chairs not asking the government to pay for them... i am all for people that truly need them getting them even from the government, but i still say there are some that want them, yet don't necessarily need them
my uncle was in one for three years till he died at 92 but it wasn't motorized
even Jim Robinson needs one
They’ll probably send my wife to the death panel, not that I’ll quietly let them off my wife.
If the mood of the country goes the way I think it will then these people on the death panels as well as congress critters and Judges may need to have 24 hr bodyguards to protect them from the results of their actions.
The unstated problem that leads to these decisions in Europe is similar to the unstated problem that leads to similar decisions in the US.
In Europe, all the available public medical funds are going to pay for prenatal and birthing services for the invasion army of Muslims.
In America, all the available public medical funds are going to pay for prenatal and birthing services for the invasion army of Mexicans.
In both cases, people who have worked all their lives to build the system and maintain the system are being locked out of the system to make room for invading armies of pregnant immigrants.
If you think I’m exaggerating, go to any medical care facility in any large or medium sized city in Europe or America and tell me what you see.
If you don’t see waiting rooms filled with pregnant “southerners” and their growing broods, then you need to check out the ophthalmology care while you’re there.
Oh, I see what you mean. I’ve been looking at various wheelchairs that my husband doesn’t need, but would like to have. I don’t mind paying for that. He needs a wheelchair. A power chair would be nice, but the manual one he has is sufficient. When he first got it, TriCare wouldn’t authorize purchasing one. They’ve been paying monthly rental on it. I just got a notice this week that they’re not going to pay for it anymore. He can sometimes walk a few feet with a quad cane, but he needs a wheelchair, even at home. Tricare hasn’t explained why they’re stopping payment for his wheelchair. I’ll have to contact them and see what I can find out. He’s not a charity case. He has more than paid for his healthcare coverage. I shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail to get him what’s rightfully his, and to have to explain to stupid bureaucrats the difference between need and want.
absolutely right... i will pray for him and you
Thank you. We know the power of prayers, and they are always appreciated.
I doubt anyone would do it. I know I wouldn’t.
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