So, you have a car and it has a large trunk, the interior is also spacious and you are a very careful driver with lots of patience. Despite these points let us look at why we don’t recommend you use the family car as a primary means of non-emergency transport.
The wheelchair. The trunk of your car might be large but the wheelchair is also heavy and oddly shaped, with bits of metal sticking out of it, ready to scratch the paintwork on the way in and rip the carpet during the journey. Leaning over into a trunk, trying to keep the wheelchair from destroying your car, does not put you in the best position for lifting – which is back straight and knees bent. So you risk hurting your back as well as the car.
The car is a ‘low to the ground’ mode of transport… and a four wheel drive is a ‘high off the ground’ mode of transport. Your loved one is in the wheelchair for a reason… a lack of mobility, or, they should be resting due to illness. Climbing in and out of vehicles – whether they be high or low – isn’t a good idea and this could worsen their existing condition.
Once you have managed to get your family member or friend into the car and you are ready to turn the key ask yourself when you last had the car fully serviced and do you honestly think it would match up to the high mobility transport standards that non-emergency transport vehicles have to go through. You can be asking yourself this whilst your loved one tries to get comfortable in seats that were not designed to have people with possible hip, back or joint problems sitting in them.
Ok, now satisfied that you are a suitable solution to a professional agency that supplies specialist vehicles for non-emergency transport you start to drive off. Your fragile passenger is requiring your help getting around for a reason…. they are not too well. What would you do if they took a turn for the worse? When was the last time you took a first aid course or renewed your CPR certificate? Do you know what medication they are on or even the reason they are ill so you can inform the proper emergency services when they turn up to help?
Interesting points, don’t you think?
So, if you live in Sarasota, Venice, Longboat Key, Bradenton or surrounding areas contact us to see if we can help you.
Tags: bradenton, longboat key, non emergency transport, sarasota, venice, wheelchair transportation
