Last post Sun, May 25 2008 9:39 AM by Olivette Turbeville. 16 replies.
Hey gang: What kind of wheelchair cushion do you like the best - and why?
I recently got a new state of the art electric tilt/recline, articulating power-legs, wheelchair with a high backrest (love it!) with a Supracor Stimulite cushion for the pan. But I swear, unlike my last (and much loved) Stimulite cushion, this new one feels like a board! The company re-fabricated a second replacement cushion using 'the old injection process' because their new model was so dang hard.
Even my PT's and medical tech's who've sat in it, proclaimed it was hard as a rock, with little or no give and "sink-in" ability. (Butt's just sit entirely on top of the honeycombed cushion.) I'm aware it might soften over time with use - and Supracor suggested I put this new cushion in a commercial dryer for an hour or two to soften it. <der?> But, I'm not very willing to continue suffering a numb butt and excruciating back aches associated with breaking this thing in! Nor am I motivated to run this expensive seat thru a laundromat dryer to see if it'll soften up a little. I don't think its unreasonable to expect a cushion to CUSHION my tushie right out of the box - wouldn't ya think? Maybe their next suggestion would be driving a 4WD over it a few dozen times.... <g>
So, seriously folks... I'm wondering if I'd better consider another / better alternative asap! BTW: I'm not fond of Roho's inflatable rubber pickles because of the sweat and pinch factor. Been there, dun that.
HELP!!! Tell me what you use, and why is it your favorite cushion???
Olivette
:You might want to check out the following recent thread. Even if you don't like Roho, there are some remarks about some other brands/types as well.
Last post 05-08-2008 6:55 AM by Teiko. 17 replies.
As stated there, I really like my Roho cushion, but we all need to get comfy. Good luck.
Thanks Bonnie... I'd intentionally hoped to break free from the restrictive ROHO or GEL debate in the SCI discussion. My husbands C3-4quad needs were far different from my tushies consideration, due to the vast differences in stability, immersion, and continence issues.
1.) I haven't heard enough about iRobots maxPRO Seat Cushion -- But, its something to consider. Anyone out there with a real-life review ???
whiskeyman1130
Hi, I'm Christie. The cushion should have been soft strait out of the box. You should not have to do anything to it. I use a Jay cushion. It has gell in the back half of it. It it feels very good and is soft not hard at all. I really love mine
Oh, lovely. I was about to tell everyone I was FINALLY getting my cushion today and now I'm freaking out. I was praying it would fit, now I'm concerned about how hard it is! (Of course, with my insurance, it's not going to be expensive... and probably, with my luck, not even brand new... lol!) I won't know til it's UPSed here today. (The company just called and said UPS should be delivering it anytime now.) No, I don't know what style it is either. Probably a fluffed up road killed bird knowing what they "help" disables with.... lol.
I'm wondering though, perhaps this is a "bad apple" and didn't get one step or something done to it to make it useable right outside the box? Did you call the rep for it?
Is your new cushion one of the Stimulites??? Dang I hope its soft! Let me know, I'm dying to hear what you discover.
Yes we've talked to the rep's. They want me to sit in a laundromat while its in the dryer on Hot for an hour or two. ??? Jerked my chain. But my sons actually did that for me, and its not significantly different. My butt and back just can't take the density of this new honeycomb. I had to drag out my old Roho and live with it the other day for a jaunt to the hospital.
Lemme know what you think of your Stimulite when it comes in, K?
OUCH! I know just what you mean!...
I have been on a 4 year quest to find a cushion for my scooter that doesn't hurt my back or tailbone. Most cushions aren't made for the scooters. I have spent a ton of money and haven't found it yet. I just ordered and recieved a low profile Roho Quadtro Select and I'm praying this time I can scoot around with a painless happy tush. Tomorrow I'll find out. I bought a low Roho before that is supposed to be for a car or scooter and it didn't work.
Here is a cartoon in honor of that search many go through.
I use a J2 cushion on my chair. It is produced by the Jay wheelchair company. It is a gel cushion. I love it. It conforms to me, and it is not rigid. Basically, when you sit in it, the material in the cushion softens with your body heat, allowing it to conform to your curves. I used to have a more rigid cushion, and it always caused lower back pain. With the J2, my back is able to relax. Also, you don't have to get a Jay wheelchair to get the cushion. I have a wheelchair with a TiLite frame, the J2 cushion, and E-Motion wheels. What is particularly great about the J2 is that it can fit most wheelchair frames. You can get the cushion for about $250-$300. Hope this helps. Good luck!
I'm heading in to see my med supplier again tomorrow with all my cushions in tow. I've been seated on my old 4" Roho these past couple days with a pillow on top. => I had to laugh at the cartoon above. THAT'S ME!!!!!
I'll try a new Jay tomorrow. The gels do conform well... but they seem to trap my butt. If that makes any sense. I tend to wiggle so much (discomfort and nerve damage) that immersion in the gel ends up feeling like a hole of sqishy sand (kinda) and not fluffy in a good way. At least the roho lets me float around as I wiggle and shift, ya know?
I've even tried a pile of pillows to no avail. My tush is a problematic bit... lemmetellya! You'd think all my own "padding' would benefit from its own comfort - but that is certainly not the way of it.
I am seriously looking into sitting on my head.... its hard, and may be way more akin to being squished.
Wow. This was way harder than picking out bridesmaid shoes!
Transfering from one cushion to another - and another - and another - was exhausting and time consuming. I wish I'd been able to use the cushion in 'real life' for a day or two before committing to order. But that's not how the rules go with Demo Cushions. ((Sanitation concerns etc, which is completely understandable.))
Of course I sat, rocked, scooted and wiggled on every cushion - repeatedly - eliminating one at a time, after each rotation. After more than a half dozen demo cushions I determined that:
1.) The Roho was still the softest overall - but I just don't like the feeling of squishy rubber 'pickles" under me. Plus, I already own one and the design hasn't changed.
2.) I couldn't bear the Jay Gel (J2) because it was too stiff - even as body heat let me settle into it, the thing felt like wet sand. [And again, I used to own an earlier model Jay gel, and it had very little use before I gave it away.]
3.) The Synergy Structure Cushion had a rigid pan and positioning components built in that made it push into me rather than visa-versa, although it could be ordered with an additional layer of gel. I figured more gel would end up feeling much like the J2.
4.) Several of the solid foam cushions were little more than that - layers of varying density foam. Which sort of felt like a dining bench cushion in an RV! Not exactly impressive.
5.) Periodically in between cushions, I'd go back to my Stimulite for comparisons sake (and to rest) before moving to another model.
I finally settled on a modified Synergy Spectrum Cushion by Pride Mobility. Synergy Spectrum Cushion
(stay tuned)
I'll write a more complete review after some marathon sitting once it arrives! I know I'm not the only one with a butt that personifies the "Princess and the Pea"!!!
Maybe I should get a "Buns of Steel" video? Does anyone think it'd help???
Olivette Turbeville: Is your new cushion one of the Stimulites??? Dang I hope its soft! Let me know, I'm dying to hear what you discover. Yes we've talked to the rep's. They want me to sit in a laundromat while its in the dryer on Hot for an hour or two. ??? Jerked my chain. But my sons actually did that for me, and its not significantly different. My butt and back just can't take the density of this new honeycomb. I had to drag out my old Roho and live with it the other day for a jaunt to the hospital. Lemme know what you think of your Stimulite when it comes in, K?
Hey Olivette, sorry I didn't get back sooner. The cushion FINALLY arrived (only took six months) and I'm disappointed. VERY disapointed. There is no brand name. I opened the cover (made of some cheap vinyl) and looked inside to see what it was made of. There is a pad of regular foam cushion about two inches thick and attached to the top is a gel-like thing.... it covers the whole top of the foam, but it's in little log-like chambers. It's really squishy (the gel thing) but the foam is hard and the whole thing is like three inches thick... I used it twice and I hate how much higher it makes me sit. And they said I should use it in bed too!
I don't know how much my insurance paid for this thing, but if it's over 20 bucks, they got robbed. I get little sores in the crack of my butt by the surgical site, and sitting on this thing only encourages the butt cheeks to pull further apart. Since I have NO rear end at all practically (it all went to the front) I have no natural cushioning.... this thing is making it worse.
WHY me???
My cushion says Supracor .. Stimulite.. honeycomb cushion.. Classic. I like it. I also have one that has the gel in the back and kinda form fits your legs but I prefer the Stimulite since it is flat and I imagine it makes transferring easier. Some day I'll have upper body strength. I hope!
mcjane: My cushion says Supracor .. Stimulite.. honeycomb cushion.. Classic. I like it. ... I prefer the Stimulite since it is flat and I imagine it makes transferring easier.
My cushion says Supracor .. Stimulite.. honeycomb cushion.. Classic. I like it. ... I prefer the Stimulite since it is flat and I imagine it makes transferring easier.
Re:Supracor Stimulite Classic -- I have to agree that transferring on/off the Supracor Stimulite Classic is simplified by its flat surface and relatively sturdy honeycomb structure.
My biggest pleasure owning the Stimulites is that it constantly BREATHES! Ya just don't sweat on a Stimulite because it breathes sooo nicely! It is a joy in the tropics lemmetellya! Been there dun that. I've dragged my old Stimulite all over the planet and back. It's truly amazing - in and out of the washer and dryer like magic. Never collects moisture or bacteria - unlike the heavy rubber Roho, or the gels, or foams. The Stimulite is absolutely perfect for preventing the onset of rashes, sores, cracks and decub's - because the honeycomb structure blows fresh air all over your skin with the slightest movement. I can't think of anything better for the health of a tush. Honestly.
It's also exceptionally lightweight and easy to drag off into an RV or boat, throw on the ground by a campfire, or onto a stadium bench or arena seat when I wanted to sit with friends and family and not be in my wheelchair. For years I didn't bottom out on it, but could immerse into the top layer of honeycomb very nicely.
My old Stimulite was exceptionally versatile (it's nearly 10 years old. No kidding!). And I've loved it like no other cushion to date. But its become awfully floppy in its old age, and is barely useful except in my sling-seat manual wheelchair. On my new powerchair the old one flattens and I can certainly feel the metal seat pan and the pans leading edge behind my knees. Yes, I know how wore out that poor 'ol thing is!!! <lol> Which is why I was sooooo excited about getting a new one after all these years!
But the new Supracor Stimulite Classic (they even made one for me using the original moulding process) arrived feeling way TOO sturdy. Although, it looks the same as the old one - same colors, and layers, etc. And, with marginal effort I can squish it a little with my hands and pinch it with my fingers - but there's a lot of resistance. But, my fanny absolutely will NOT sink into it - I perch right on top, and it won't give in the least.
I've had nearly everyone I know sit on it to give me a variety of other reviews. TO the very last person the votes are unanimous => After a few minutes everyone complained that it was Hard and Uncomfortable (even for 'normal' butts). I'm still dumbfounded.... and of course fairly upset. I'd counted on the new cushion to be the one thing that I was familiar with, and felt sure I'd be thrilled with the new replacement. Nope, nada. *scratches head, bewildered*
Of course, my new DME supplier keeps repeating that my old cushion was 10 years old and worn out - therefore I can't compare the old with the new. Der??? Like I had no idea there'd be a Very Significant Difference. Of course I knew... and I've owned several other high end cushions for a variable comparison. But it doesn't change the fact that the new one has literally no immersion property.
Thus, I was told to "beat up" the new Stimulite... take it back to the laundromat several more times, and run it through a few more Hot Water cycles and a HOT Dryer for several more hours. Hours? And then after a month or so try to return a beat up month-old cushion??? Yeah, like THAT would go well... And IMHO I believe any cushion should protect and cradle a hiney right out of the box. I shouldn't have to tape it to a Humveee and drive it around the block, or heat it with a blow torch to break it in, right? grrrrrrr......
Although, I must say... Supracore has always been a magnificent company to work with. Other cushion companies hardly compare for customer service.
Ah well... Early morning rant over! Jeez... Apparently I need some coffee to settle my last good nerve, eh? ((Steriods are knockin' me in the dirt and making me mighty cranky! <g>))
However, I really do like these discussions among vairous users about seating options. I know it's bound to help someone, sometime! I've got my fingers crossed that the new cushion is going to be more tolerable for my finicky tush.
Thanks to everyone who's replied!
xx0x0xx
ShimasChild: Hey Olivette, sorry I didn't get back sooner. The cushion FINALLY arrived (only took six months) and I'm disappointed. VERY disapointed. There is no brand name. I opened the cover (made of some cheap vinyl) and looked inside to see what it was made of. There is a pad of regular foam cushion about two inches thick and attached to the top is a gel-like thing.... it covers the whole top of the foam, but it's in little log-like chambers. It's really squishy (the gel thing) but the foam is hard and the whole thing is like three inches thick... I used it twice and I hate how much higher it makes me sit. And they said I should use it in bed too!
OHMYGOSH! But you thought you ordered a Stimulite from Supracore??? That sure doesn't sound like anything they make! And Supracore puts their Logo brand on the sides. Plus their covers are sheepskin, or stretchy black spandex kinda stuff. NO vinyl, yikes. That's wicked and unbreathable. And of course the inside of a Simulite cushion would be entirely honeycombed not gel or foam anything,
I'd take it back to the DME supplier who ordered that POS and demand a refit and/or a full account of what you've recieved and why? Contact your insurance or medicaid/medicare agency and tell them this is dangerous to your health. Have your skin doctor concur (especially your surgeon).
Who wrote the script for this thing? Is this cushion exactly what the doc or OT specified??? This sounds alarming, certainly. I'd be pitchin' a fit that's fer sher.
Lemme know what happens next, K?
