Paige Azden, Disability Advocate

01/30/2026

When I guest lecture at colleges, we often play a guessing game where the students win a prize if they can guestimate how much a top-of-the-line Permobil powered wheelchair costs. Oftentimes, their guesses are considerably conservative and many are appalled at the price tag. We do this exercise to prove the point: Not everyone is on Medicare and can afford the cost of durable medical equipment. DME is a necessity to many people's quality of life and we as patients should not have to jump through hoops in navigating a faulty insurance system just to obtain the things we need to survive. 

Front wheel drive; base with multiple seat functions, 300lb weight capacity: $8,768

If bariatric, this costs $10K+

Batteries: $1,048. Replacement batteries should last about 2 years and they cannot be purchased from Batteries Plus!

Safety LED lights: $1,087

Larger joystick: No charge. If you want the slimmer version like I have: $1,182. If you want the swing-away version (highly recommend) then add $409

Secondary attendant controls (I don't currently use these, but they are on the back of my chair just in case): $1,499

ActiveHeight - 12" seat elevator (my #1 non negotiable feature): $3,786

Posterior 50° tilt and 180° recline: $13,492

ActiveReach with power leg rest: $3,335

Customized backrest depending on height of user: $1,192

Quadtro Select Roho cushion: $592

Height adjustable armrests: $391. If you want the more comfortable, easier to clean gel arm pads, add $202

Headrest: $434

Extras:
Snow tires: $514
Fancy wheel design detailing: $223
Wheelchair arm pouch/bag: $267
USB charger: $231
Tray table attachment: $284

Total: upwards of $40,000

This is not a complete list as there are 15 pages of customizable features for this specific . All prices are current to 9/2025. So when people say a wheelchair costs $5K tops and you can buy it directly from Amazon, I give them a big HELL NO and laugh.

PWD

01/28/2026

I wanted to share this absolute gem: a fully accessible vacation home located about an hour outside of London.

AbleStay literally thought of everything for their physically disabled guests including:
⭐ Ceiling lift in bedroom and bathroom
⭐ Hospital bed (2 twin)
⭐ Height adjustable bathtub
⭐ Rifton hygienic bathroom chair
⭐ Adult changing table (on wheels)
⭐ Height adjustable cook area with cooktop, sink, and food prep areas
⭐ Bath lounger insert
⭐ Electric lift recliner
⭐ Stair-free entrance

This 1,765 sq. ft. house is beautiful and functional. It has three total bedrooms, sleeping six, two bathrooms, an open concept floor plan, and a pretty wheelchair accessible terrace and garden.

Check out ablestay.co.uk as the owners also detailed accessible transportation, food options, tourist attractions, and the closest pharmacies and hospitals nearby.

I can't wait to stay here next time I'm in the UK!

01/26/2026

The mobility towel is a product I've been using for quite some time and solves a very annoying problem... Since I cannot bend down in my wheelchair without the risk of falling out of it and cannot lift my legs any longer, it has been a struggle to dry my feet and legs off before getting dressed.

Thankfully does the trick with the weighted design and easy sewn in handles. It weighs 3 ounces and isn't too heavy for me to independently drape down below my waist. Also perfect for reaching your backside while seated.

Side note: My OT students love how easy this is to use!

01/25/2026

01/23/2026

First, my main reason for visiting Good Shepherd's seating and mobility clinic today was this constant feeling like I am falling out of my wheelchair (almost like too much anterior tilt despite being in a neutral position) and having to always scooch back in the chair. I thought that the seat cushion was the culprit, when in actuality, the chair needed adjustments.

I learned when you dangle your feet down, your thighs push forward, forcing your center of gravity to go down and out. And by slightly tilting your foot rests angled upwards, you can better push off and reposition yourself back into the chair. When transferring, having your wheelchair tilted back slightly where the back seat of the chair is lower than the front makes things easier too.

Pressure mapping is best if you are prone to skin breakdown and sores (red spots, itching, pain). The Roho cushion I have is the best for pressure sores. Always keep the valve in the green position to evenly distribute the air. When moving the valve in the red position (the reason I felt so lopsided), you can fill air in each of the four compartments.

Never use an electric air compressor as it fills air too fast and too hard in the cushion. Use a hand pump instead. It is okay to hear some air releasing when you transfer or reposition yourself.

When you recharge your wheelchair battery completely overnight and the battery is drained by the next afternoon, then it is time for a new battery! The end user cannot check the battery life in the Permobil (older F3 Corpus) without using a volt detector. A good battery should last approx. 2 years.

Despite all the bells & whistles, all the individual adjustments you can make on these high tech chairs, there's not one manufacturer who makes automatic foot rests. How rude!

Transfer handles work well for a stand & pivot transfer because you can push off of them, but not ideal for a seated transfer unless removable. Ankle straps are best if you have extensor weakness - like mistakenly kicking your feet off the foot rests. They are not meant for correcting supination or pronation. Adductor hip pads prevent your legs from splaying and falling off the chair sideways.

01/20/2026

Why Did I Choose These Grab Bars

For the bathroom:

12-inch anti-slip vertical:
The short grab bar is just for use outside the shower as an extra hand held. I didn't think I needed anything longer. We reinforced this with wood. 

16x16 anti-slip L-shaped:
The angled anti-slip bar is great in the shower as I can hold onto it while swinging myself in the shower chair. As the shower chair is height adjustable, I needed a longer bar and also a wider one as I turn in the shower. You'll notice that the diameter of the bar is slightly smaller and that turns out to be an advantage with smaller, weaker hands.

Rule of thumb: Definitely get an anti-slip bar when in direct contact with water or soapy hands!

24-inch anti-slip:
I chose a basic bar horizontally placed above the toilet for my standing transfers. 

For the bedroom:

30-inch anti-slip flip-up:
I saw many of these in European bathrooms and like that they can be folded (90°) when not in use. This currently is beside my bed and is at the height needed to push off when doing a quick stand and pivot movement. It replaces the need to lean on a nightstand which is often too short, too wobbly, and never sturdy enough given its particle board construction. I opted for the longer 30" version knowing I like to prop up multiple pillows at a time on my adjustable bed. With the foldable design, it also doesn't interfere with making the bed. 

Note: The stainless steel base is 3-inches wide with 4 screws. Double check placement in the wall studs first. This grab bar is suitable for 380lbs. 

There are many multifunctional bars that look a lot prettier than my sea of silver. and designs are a few examples.

01/20/2026

Loving these AFO socks with fun, bold designs and gentle stretchy material. 

Why can't you wear regular socks with braces?:

'Regular socks are not designed to be worn inside rigid braces. They tend to bunch, slide down, or create inner folds that increase friction and pressure against the skin. Over time, this can cause irritation, redness, and discomfort, especially during all-day wear.'

01/17/2026

The AbiLifter is ideal for those that can walk short distances but need a little extra help lifting the wheelchair into the trunk. 

Whereas the AbiLoader has an extendable robotic arm, transferring the wheelchair from passenger side to trunk. 

Both units work with a push of a button. Find out what vehicles this is compatible with at: abiliquip.com.

01/15/2026

 made this weighted lounger lap pad that can be heated or chilled. I've been using it two ways:

1) I find the most relief at the moment using this as a heating pad with no cords on top of my wheelchair cushion. For the last few weeks I've had significant lower pelvic pain and this provides extra padding and heat under the t**h.

2) I use this on top of my lap when snoozing in my chair or as heated comfort when outside during the winter months.

To heat: Place the lap pad in the provided Terra Tote, then in the microwave for 60 seconds. I actually heated it for two minutes and it was good to go. The warmth lasts up to an hour.

To freeze: Place in the freezer for one hour or more inside the Terra Tote.

Note: This isn't too heavy and the pad is reversible, as shown in both pictures. It is also machine washable, but should be put into a laundry bag first. 

I highly recommend this whether a wheelchair user or not. I love that I can roll around with a cordless heating pad! 

01/14/2026

Walking on carpet is nearly impossible for me because my ankle gives way and lately I've been having issues with drop foot, where I "glide" my left foot on the ground, rather than fully picking it up. This impacts my stand & pivot transfers in the bathroom and getting in/out of bed each day. Instead of replacing this fairly new berber, I bought two clear office mats so I can slide my feet where they need to go.

It is an inexpensive solution and does the trick for now! I bought this low pile chair mat with non slip studded backing so it stays put on my carpet. And so far, so good.

Buy at for $30.

01/11/2026

WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT WHEN USING A WHEELCHAIR

Missing family and friends birthday parties

Not being able to go to your favorite restaurant because there's stairs

Uncertainty in finding accessible bathrooms

Sore butts from sitting all day

The end of dating

Losing the ability to drive

The restlessness

No more spontaneity

The end of Freedom 

❤️