Dietz Mobility Power chair – Is it worth it?
I’m an ambulatory wheelchair user and for the last two years I have been using the Dietz Sango Advanced power wheelchair. The decision to buy this wheelchair was a big one and one I do not regret in any way.
Before Brum – my power chair:
Before Brum I was using a manual self-propel wheelchair with a power add-on, essentially turning my self-propel into a small power chair. This was perfect for me when I bought it, it lasted me several years around 5 years I believe. During year’s 4 and 5 we started to discuss what the next step would be if we could afford to replace it – planning on keeping it as it provided so much potential. My husband James and I agreed that a power chair with more capabilities would be the best option. Not only to support me with the symptoms I was currently experiencing but the ones yet to come. I don’t have a degenerative disease however, my symptoms seem to have increased, worsened or changed over the years. We knew a powerchair would ensure I could still do all the things I love.
Unfortunately after an incident with a mobility shop going into liquidation and ultimately closing down one of the main parts of my power add-on was thrown away, leaving me without a powerchair. I had a choice to make, do I replace this major part at a large expense or do I upgrade to a full power chair at an even greater expense. Either way I knew I wouldn’t be able to do both.
After careful consideration of my future, our plans and my health we contacted Dietz Mobility.
Dietz Mobility:
I discovered Dietz about two years prior when I spotted one of their wheelchairs on Twitter/X. I commented saying they may have created my dream chair. They provided me with a quote and although it sounded amazing it was far out of reach for me and there wasn’t quite enough need for it.
The year I ended up ordering my new power chair I had actually attended Naidex and tried one in person. I had no idea I would end up ordering one that year but I knew without a doubt that was the chair for me.
After my power add on and the proposal (James and I had already agreed I needed a powerchair before we got married) from my now husband a few months earlier, I knew it was time. I considered one other brand because it seemed so popular however, something about Dietz called to me. So I got in touch. Darren at Dietz has been a pleasure to work with and has helped me through this and other experiences since. For full transparency I could not afford a £12,500 power chair even with a loan (although I wouldn’t have gotten approval for such an amount). I asked Darren if they happened to have any ex demo chairs that could work for me and by chance or luck, he did!
I still required a large loan but it was something I could afford (as much as a disabled person can afford a wheelchair in this economy) Darren came out with the chair and we were all in disbelief when it fitted me perfectly. We had checked some basic measurements but we had no idea how many adjustments this chair would need. It turned out, not many. Brum went back with Darren before heading to have some of the parts hydro-dipped in a beautiful purple/blue pattern.
I really didn’t have long to wait but the wait was excruciating. Then delivery day arrived. A more local mobility shop delivered my chair and I haven’t looked back.
Holly and Brum:
Brum is pretty much the perfect wheelchair for me. He tilts meaning I can adjust my position which is excellent for my back pain, syncope and overall comfort. The legs raise again supporting overall comfort but also my hip and leg pain. He even raises up and down which wasn’t an essential but it was certainly going to make a difference, now I realise this feature is an essential to me. Not only can I reach things in shops but I have less neck pain from looking up at people all the time when talking. It has done so much for my confidence, I feel part of the conversation again, I feel seen.
Brum perfectly contours my body and his seat is one of the comfiest. I’ve even fallen asleep whilst sitting on him a few times. It’s one thing everyone that’s tried sitting in him say.
Since Brum
Since brum I have been able to do so much more because he helps manage my symptoms, my pain and the longevity of the activities I want to do.
He comes with me to the gym, he’s been to Glastonbury, TWICE (and hopefully one more this year). He’s attended pilates classes with me, scout meetings, scout camps, theatre, gigs, dog walks, my wedding!
I knew I wanted Brum for our wedding when we bought him and since our wedding day I can tell you that was 100% the right choice for me. I used brum during our wedding breakfast instead of a generic chair. I was far more comfortable and supported, allowing me to focus more on the day and my new husband versus my pain.
Theatre is a huge part of our lives and after falling in love with the Hamilton soundtrack in 2020 I knew I HAD to see this show. That being said Hamilton is a long show and I knew I wouldn’t be able to manage, that was until Brum. We recently got to watch Hamilton the UK tour at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. It was the most incredible experience and one I got through with less symptoms because of brum. The flooring at WMC isn’t perfectly flat so the ability to tilt allows me to even this out as well providing better comfort. Along with raising my foot position.
Brum has been on many adventures and we have plenty more to come. I am so grateful to Brum, to Dietz Mobility and Darren for supporting my independence and the ability to live my life the way I want to. A special mention to James for being my designated wheelchair maintenance husband by charging Brum, adding tape to my footplates so people don’t walk into me all the time and making the many adjustments to my headrest I frequently demand.
If you’re considering a Dietz mobility power chair, I cannot recommend mine enough. So to answer the title question, is it worth it? Hell yes!
Have a question? Let me know and I’ll do my best to answer it myself or with the help of the Dietz Team!
If you’re heading to Naidex this year, stop by Dietz Mobility to start your journey with a Dietz Powerchair.
Dietz Mobility Website – https://dietz-mobility.co.uk/
