Life with Quantum

Where to Buy a Wheelchair for Kids

Your child may qualify for a Quantum® Power Chair if he or she has been diagnosed with a medical condition that affects his or her mobility. He or she needs a prescription from their physician or physical therapist before purchasing a motorized wheelchair.

To get that prescription, schedule a face-to-face evaluation with your child’s doctor or physical therapist to determine his or her mobility needs. During the evaluation, the doctor or physical therapist will discuss which kids wheelchair is best for him or her, based on needs and lifestyle.

Once your son or daughter has a prescription, you are ready to purchase a kids motorized wheelchair. The next step is finding a place that sells wheelchairs for kids near you.

Purchasing a Kids Wheelchair

Go to quantumrehab.com
Locate the Find a Dealer button in the upper left corner of the homepage. When you click it, you will be taken to our Dealer Locator where you can find authorized Quantum Dealers near you
Enter your ZIP code, check the box, and click search
You can adjust the mileage box to find a provider that is as close as five miles or as far as 100 miles from the ZIP code you entered
The Quantum mobility product providers nearest your ZIP code will appear in the search results

Your child’s doctor or physical therapist may work with an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) who works for the authorized Quantum dealer. ATPs are certified through RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America). Together, the ATP and therapist determine which electric wheelchair and components benefit your child the most.

In addition to purchasing a wheelchair for your child, kids wheelchair accessories are also available. These kids wheelchair accessories can increase your child’s independence and making operating a power wheelchair safer and more convenient.

Kids Wheelchair Medicaid Funding

If your child has a medical need for a power wheelchair, they may qualify for Medicaid funding. Medicaid may cover the cost of a kids wheelchair, however, a written prescription is required and the prescription must specify the type of kids wheelchair needed. Learn more about kids wheelchair Medicaid funding.

We’re Open and Here For You

Pride Mobility Products and Quantum Rehab would like to remind our loyal customers that we are still open to serve you and your clients during this difficult time.

We are taking the safety of our employees into account and have made it our utmost priority, many members of our staff are working from home. This assists in limiting the exposure of our staff that is currently working on site. We are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our family, friends, and you. During this time, you can expect:

Production – Our associates are operating within social distancing guidelines while producing the products that will fulfill orders for you and your clients.

Inside Sales – Connect with a familiar voice to assist you with your product questions.

Technical Service – Our technical support team is ready to help walk you through troubleshooting. Don’t forget to try remote troubleshooting first, you may be able to save a trip to your client’s home.

Marketing – Do you have questions on our ever-changing customer landscape? Speak with one of our marketing professionals about how you can maximize your showroom floorspace, social media campaigns and additional digital marketing avenues to maximize your advertising efforts.

Rest assured that Pride and Quantum are operational and able to support your business needs. Though many of our team members are working remotely, we are united in our dedication to serve you. We would love to hear from you! Call, email, tweet or follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Where to Buy a Wheelchair for Children

Your child may qualify for a Quantum® Power Chair if he or she has been diagnosed with a medical condition that affects his or her mobility. Before purchasing a child wheelchair, you need to schedule a face-to-face evaluation with your child’s doctor or physical therapist to determine his or her mobility needs. During the office visit, the doctor or physical therapist can help choose which child wheelchair is best for your child’s needs and may write a prescription for a motorized wheelchair.

Once your son or daughter has a prescription, you are ready to purchase a child’s electric wheelchair, but you may not know where to find a place that sells wheelchairs for children near you. Quantum Rehab makes finding local dealers near you simple! Just follow these easy steps:

Visit quantumrehab.com
Click on the Find a Dealer button in the upper left corner of the homepage. You will be taken to our Quantum Dealer Locator
Enter your ZIP code, check the box, and hit search
You’ll see a list of authorized Quantum mobility product providers near your ZIP code
You can adjust the mileage box to find a provider that is as close as five miles or as far as 100 miles from the ZIP code you entered

Reading the Search Results

The search results show provider contact information such as the store name, address and phone number. If they offer iLevel® technology or work with CareCredit, it will show up in the results. If you are unfamiliar with the address of the dealer, you can view directions and a map for added convenience. After finding the dealer’s information, you can choose to contact them yourself, or request to be contacted. Simply click the “Request to be Contacted” button on the right and fill out the form. The dealer will then contact you directly.

Buying a Child Wheelchair Outside of the United States

If you live outside of the United States and want to buy a child wheelchair, we work with providers in many different countries. Although you cannot use the dealer locator to find a dealer near you, we make finding a dealer near you effortless. It’s as easy as contacting us or one of our international subsidiaries, nearest to where you live. Let us know that you are looking to buy a child wheelchair and we can have a dealer local to your area contact you.

You can reach us through our Facebook page, chat live with a representative on our website, fill out a contact form or call us at 1-833-745-3835.

To contact one of our international subsidiaries, locate the international dropdown menu at the top of our website, then click on the subsidiary closest to where you are located. The subsidiary lists contact information, such as email addresses and phone numbers on their page. If applicable, you may also contact them through their social media page.

Types of Lifts for Narrow Wheelchairs

If a conversion van isn’t currently in your budget but you still want to travel by van, you may consider purchasing a wheelchair lift. Wheelchair lifts help you safely store your narrow wheelchair in the vehicle and bring it with you while you’re on the go. There are different types of vehicle lifts for your narrow wheelchair. The three main types are inside lifts, outside lifts and hybrid lifts.

Outside Vehicle Lifts for Narrow Wheelchairs

True to its name, an outside vehicle lift is attached to the outside of a vehicle by a hitch. It consists of an actuator and platform that help secure and transport the mobility device. Out of the three types of lifts, outside vehicle lifts are the easiest to use, most accommodating and most compatible with any size vehicle. They are also convenient in that they won’t take up any space within the vehicle. Another benefit to outside vehicle lifts is their ease of transfer. If you are traveling with multiple people who have different vehicles, this lift can be easily transferred from vehicle to vehicle.

This lift is operated by inserting and turning a key and applying pressure to hold the toggle switch in the direction that you’d like the lift to go. Other than being able to stand for two to three minutes while operating the lift, there are no other demanding physical requirements for using this type of lift. Outside lifts often require tie-down straps and wheelchair covers to ensure wheelchair safety and security while on the go.

Inside Vehicle Lifts and Hoists for Narrow Wheelchairs

Inside lifts are mounted in the rear part, also known as the cargo area, of the vehicle. This type of lift is more difficult to operate than others because of the manual work involved in securing the power wheelchair and getting it into the vehicle.

Inside wheelchair lifts contain a hoist mechanism that swings outside of the vehicle to load and lift the narrow wheelchair into the vehicle. This lift system is compact, making it perfect for smaller vehicles where space might be an issue.

Minimum requirements to operate an inside vehicle lift include being able to walk from the front of the vehicle to the rear, and back, standing up to three minutes while the lift is in use and attaching the docking device to your narrow wheelchair. Additional requirements include folding down the back of the seat of your power wheelchair until it is in its most compact position, holding down the button on the control while operating the lift and guiding the electric wheelchair to avoid any interference while operating the lift. If you are traveling with a caretaker, they can assist in using an inside auto lift for your narrow wheelchair.

Hybrid Vehicle Lifts for Narrow Wheelchairs

Hybrid lifts, as you can probably guess, function both inside and outside the vehicle to load your narrow wheelchair onto the platform and then into the vehicle’s cargo area. The lift itself is mounted within the cargo area of the vehicle but moves out and down to load your wheelchair into the vehicle. While not as easy to operate as outside vehicle lifts, they’re still easier to operate than inside vehicle lifts.

This lift includes some of the benefits of an outside lift, such as being able to drive the motorized wheelchair onto the platform. Tie-down straps and other restraints are still required to secure your wheelchair onto the platform. Before purchasing a hybrid vehicle lift, make sure that you can walk from the front of the vehicle to the rear, and back. You need to stand for two to three minutes while the lift operates, fold down the seat back of the narrow wheelchair until it’s compact and apply pressure to hold the toggle switch while the lift is in operation. Operating this lift may require assistance.

How to Buy a Kids Wheelchair

If your child has been diagnosed with a medical condition that affects his or her mobility, he or she may qualify for a Quantum® Power Chair. Follow these steps to find out if your child qualifies for a power mobility device:

Meet with a Healthcare Practitioner

Edge 3 Stretto Kids Wheelchair with iLevel

Complex rehab power wheelchairs can only be purchased via a prescription from a medical practitioner. Call your child’s physician or physical therapist and schedule a face-to-face examination to see if he or she qualifies. The healthcare practitioner must consider the use of alternative mobility aids such as a cane, walker and manual wheelchair before considering the use of a complex rehab wheelchair. They will write a prescription and note in your child’s medical record that his or her mobility needs can only be satisfied with a complex rehab kids wheelchair, if necessary.

When the clinician performing the exam has written the prescription, you are ready to take the next step in buying a kids wheelchair. For information on locating a dealer near you, check out our article on where to buy a wheelchair for kids.

Find a Kids Wheelchair Dealer

After choosing a dealer that you want to work with, have the medical practitioner fax or mail the written prescription and medical records to the dealer. The mobility product dealer must receive the written prescription and medical records within six months from the date of the face-to-face exam. Once the provider receives the documents, they will work with you, your child and the healthcare practitioner to determine the appropriate kids wheelchair to meet your son or daughter’s needs.

Schedule a Home Assessment

It’s important to determine if your home will accommodate the use of your son or daughter’s kids wheelchair. Your child’s power mobility device can provide greater independence and freedom of mobility within the home to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming and eating. Your kids wheelchair provider will conduct a home assessment either before or at the time of delivery of the power wheelchair, to ensure that there is enough access and maneuverability space for your son or daughter.

Learn the Basics of Operating Your Child’s Wheelchair

When you receive the kids wheelchair, your provider will show you and your child how to operate it. Keep in mind that the delivery of the pediatric motorized wheelchair must be no more than 120 days following your child’s face-to-face examination.

Funding for Kids Wheelchairs

If you are looking for insurance, Medicare or Medicaid coverage for pediatric wheelchairs, we have some resources for you! Check out our article on kids wheelchairs and Medicaid funding.

COVID-19 Update: Open for Business

Dear Pride and Quantum customers,

We have been contacting you throughout the week regarding how we continue to safeguard against COVID-19. The health and safety of our customers and employees remains our top priority.

Pride is re-examining our procedures on a day-to-day basis during this time. Yesterday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf gave medical equipment and supplies manufacturers the green light to remain open and we have decided to do so. We are continuing to take, fulfill and ship orders. We feel it is important that we remain open to continue providing critical products and parts for the people who need them to stay in their homes.

Effective today, we have implemented a business continuity plan surrounding COVID-19 to help keep our people safe. Part of the plan sets up limited exposure work zone areas within all our facilities, including Duryea, Exeter, Las Vegas, Mississippi, Florida, and our international subsidiaries. Each building has been sectioned off into zones to help increase social distancing efforts. Each employee will stay in his or her assigned zone.

As previously communicated, many employees are working from home. Thirty-two percent of Pride/Quantum U.S. employees are working from home, and 46 percent of our Pennsylvania employees are working from home.

In addition, employees who are not feeling well are staying home, we are enforcing social distancing, practicing proper handwashing and have increased the intensity of cleaning. Travel, visitors and in-person meetings are banned. Disinfectant is sprayed each night in Production, Parts Shipping, Quantum Fabrication and Cushion Assembly.

We will continue to update you throughout the fight against COVID-19. Stay safe.

Regards,

Scott Meuser, CEO

Dancing His Heart Out at iLevel®

“My chair is how I interact with the world around me. I can’t function without it.“
— Tim Shin, River Vale, New Jersey

If you ask Tim Shin about his greatest accomplishment, he’ll tell you about the time he ate an entire box of Thin Mints on his own.

“Accomplishment or low point? I’m not sure,” Tim joked.

What the 29-year-old resident of New Jersey knows for sure is that life gives him inspiration.

Born with congenital cerebral palsy, Tim relies on a power chair for mobility. His Edge® 3 with iLevel® gives Tim a huge boost in quality of life. He has more confidence in social situations and can reach the top shelf of the refrigerator.

“My chair is how I ambulate and interact with the world around me. I can’t function without it,” Tim said.

Tim recently attended his sister’s wedding and walked his mother down the aisle while elevated during the ceremony. iLevel also came in handy during the reception, as Tim was able to easily navigate a room full of guests. And when it was time to get out on the dance floor, all the other guests were able to see Tim’s sweet dance moves.

“Dancing poorly is a passion of mine,” Tim said. “Normally, I find myself drowning in a sea of feet while trying to show off my moves. Everyone was able to witness the greatness of my modified line dancing because of iLevel.”

iLevel also allows Tim to be more active and successful in helping others. As the communications manager for a disability-focused nonprofit called AbleThrive, Tim works with his colleagues to provide web resources to power wheelchair users to help these individuals live their best lives.

In addition to his work at AbleThrive, Tim is a Q Roll Model for Quantum and has many passions and interests. He enjoys trying new foods, and loves television, fashion, shoes, music and movies. Tim is very interested to see Asian and disability representation continue to grow in mainstream media.

Pediatric Wheelchair Cushions for Your Child

Are you curious about the benefits of pediatric wheelchair cushions? If your son or daughter uses a pediatric wheelchair, they may benefit from a pediatric wheelchair cushion. Do you want to get more information and aren’t sure where to begin? There are many different types of pediatric wheelchair cushions on the market. From positioning cushions for wheelchairs to general use wheelchair cushions, there’s a cushion to meet the needs of your child!

When it comes to pediatrics, Quantum has products to meet the needs of children with disabilities. The Edge 3 Stretto pediatric wheelchair is a milestone for pediatric power! The narrow base is perfect for children and teenagers, providing exceptional maneuvering in tight corners and small spaces in the home, at school and on the playground. The Stretto has many exciting features, such as:

Overall width of 20.47 inches with 12.5-inch drive wheels
Equipped with independent SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension)
Fender lights and USB charger port
iLevel® option available with 12 inches of seat elevation at up to 3.5 mph
New sleek back design available in 17 colors with toolless access to electronics

The Stretto is available in 17 contemporary color choices to suit a child’s unique personality. Click the link to learn more about the Edge 3 Stretto pediatric wheelchair.

Simplicity G Cushion for Pediatric Wheelchairs

If you want your son or daughter to be more comfortable in his or her wheelchair, consider general use wheelchair cushions, such as the Simplicity G wheelchair cushion. Simplicity G offers coccyx and sacral relief and comes with a moisture-wicking Stealth-Tek incontinence cover that is easy to clean.

Glacial SP Pediatric Wheelchair Cushion

The Glacial SP wheelchair cushion has a contoured, high-density, molded foam base. It features a soft gel top layer for skin protection. If you are looking for a pediatric gel seat cushion, the Glacial SP is a good choice! The Glacial SP comes standard with a CoolCore® technology cover that is chemical free. Your child can stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, while staying dry and comfortable.

Click the link to learn more about Quantum’s lineup of pediatric wheelchair cushions.

COVID-19 Update: Packaging and New Safety Measures

Dear Pride and Quantum customers,

Earlier this week, we reached out regarding how we are protecting against COVID-19. Our main priority continues to be ensuring the health and safety of those we serve.

We want to address a question that many people are asking: Is it safe to touch shipments you receive?

Pride/Quantum is following the guidelines of health organizations including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Experts from the CDC and WHO say the risk of contracting the virus from touching surfaces is low.

Nevertheless, we are following strict procedures to ensure your safety. Sick employees are staying home, many employees are working remotely, we are practicing social distancing, proper handwashing and increased the intensity of cleaning. We also banned travel, visitors and in-person meetings.

In addition to the measures we previously mentioned, we are now spraying disinfectant each night in Production, Parts Shipping, Quantum Fabrication and Cushion Assembly (inclusive of all matrix stations, tools, build-carts and community work areas).

Please be assured the shipping and freight services we use are taking similar steps for your protection.

We are in the fight against COVID-19 together. Stay tuned for additional updates. We promise to keep you informed as new information becomes available.

Regards,

Scott Meuser, CEO

The Benefits of Narrow Wheelchairs

Have you heard about the Edge 3 Stretto® power chair? You might wonder what all the hype is about! Well, the Edge 3 Stretto is designed to offer exceptional maneuvering with its narrower base. Plus, it’s made to meet the needs of children, teens and small adults. Still not convinced? Read on to discover all the great benefits of the Edge 3 Stretto, the narrowest, most maneuverable power base in America!

Narrow Electric Wheelchair

The Stretto narrow electric wheelchair measures 20.47 inches wide when 12.5-inch drive wheels are selected. It has an overall width of 21.75 inches when 14-inch drive wheels are chosen. This wheelchair for narrow spaces and tight living corners drives at speeds up to 6.25 mph in the lowered position. If you choose to add optional iLevel® technology, you can drive the Edge 3 Stretto while elevated 12 inches at 3.5 mph or walking speed.

The Stretto narrow wheelchair comes standard with cool features such as front and rear LED fender lights. These switch-operated fender lights allow users to see and be safely seen in all environments. The Stretto also comes standard with a USB charger port, perfect for charging cell phones while on the go.

With a narrower base, the Stretto offers a host of great benefits, including:

Navigate small rooms in your home
Easily drive your chair around small apartments or trailers
Drive through narrow doorways without scratching your walls or the drive wheels the chair
Move between outdoor obstacles such as gates, signs and concrete barriers
Maneuver up and through accessible ramps

In addition, the narrower base reduces the overall footprint of the chair, making the Edge 3 Stretto lighter, which is ideal when searching for a compatible vehicle lift so you can transport your chair.

Suspension on this Narrow Wheelchair

The Stretto is equipped with independent SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension). You’ll enjoy a smooth and comfortable ride with this revolutionary power chair. Independent SRS creates a 30 percent to 45 percent improvement in ride quality. The spring rates on the Stretto have been optimized for maximum obstacle climbing and greater comfort overall. The Stretto is the first mid-wheel drive base from Quantum that is engineered from the ground up with true independent suspension without using an articulating beam. Learn more about independent SRS on the Stretto narrow electric wheelchair.