The High Cost of Special Needs Equipment Our Kids Need

As a special needs parent, one major bugbear we have is the cost of special needs equipment. They are extremely expensive.

Why? 

Answer: They are made in the US. And in the US, special needs equipment are covered by government insurance. So no direct out of pocket from consumers, hence no direct incentive for manufacturers to lower their cost. 

And our kids need them. Bath chairs, remote control chairs to give a sense of independence and freedom, gait trainers to teach children to walk, and of course pushable wheelchairs. 

Bath chair for safe bathing

Remote control wheelchair

Gait Trainers that help kids learn to walk

The good folks at Paediatric Seating Solutions Sam and Jimmy (above) help kids find suitable equipment.

For many special needs parents like myself, these are the "luxury goods" we own, in place of luxury bags or shoes.

Here are Vera's necessary items - more expensive than any piece of furniture in our home. 

Rifton Activity Chair approx $5000

Rifton Feeding cum Activity Chair that allows tilting forward and backward with side supports for her Scoliosis and for easy moving around the house. Without this chair she would basically lie in bed the whole day or on the floor.

Zippie TS Wheelchair

Zippie TS Wheelchair for going out to school 5 days a week. Also allows tilting and with support for Scoliosis. High enough so we don't have to bend so low (backache) to lift Vera out. This was a gift from Make-A-Wish which we really appreciated.