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Drive Medical FW19BL Fly-Weight Transport Chair

Ranked #13,416 in Healthy Living, #212,913 overall

The Drive Medical FW19BL Fly Weight Tranport Chair - to walk or to ride, that is the question...

...And, if my mom were to answer the question, it would be to ride in her Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair.

As the full time caregiver for my 94 year old mom, Gertie, I couldn't do my job if it weren't for the Drive Medical companion wheelchair. My mom can still walk (she uses a 2 wheel walker) but, for longer excursions like out for ice cream (!), I pop her right into the Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair and, as Jackie Gleason used to say, "Away we go!"

In case you're unfamiliar, a companion wheelchair is meant to be pushed by, well, a companion. That's why all 4 wheels are so very teeny and that's why this wheelchair is considered a fly weight - it weighs only 19 lbs - it's so easy to stow in the back of my car or in the trunk.

If you or someone you know is in need of a companion wheelchair, this is the one for you.

The Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair on Amazon.com

We've had this exact Drive Medical companion wheelchair for over 10 years now. The only maintenance we've ever had done was to adjust the brakes so poor Mom didn't take off on her own on a slope - true story. That's how I knew to have the brakes adjusted...she's fine, by the way. Which reminds me...one of my favorite features is the nice safety belt...

Click the picture to see the best pricing on Amazon.com. We actually checked with insurance about covering the cost of this companion wheelchair but Mom's deductible was more than the chair cost! It's well worth the money.


Drive Medical FW19BL Fly-Weight Transport Chair, 19 Inch, Blue

The Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair

Product Features

As noted, above, you already know that the safety belt is my favorite feature but this companion chair has many more wonderful things about it. Read on to discover what I'm typing about.
  • 119" wide seat - now, that's a pretty wide-body wheelchair! The Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair can carry up to 300 lbs.
  • 2Total weight of the chair is just 19 lbs - if you're at all familiar with wheelchairs, that's light. My back certainly can tell the difference between this chair and a standard wheelchair as I tote it to and from the car.
  • 3Swing away foot rests means that you or you loved one has an easier time getting into and out of this wheelchair.
  • 4The pouch on the back of the seat is the perfect place to stow some beer cans when getting on a cruise ship - yes, another true story. We figured that 1) Mom wouldn't get caught (she didn't) and 2) if they caught her, she'd get leniency. I suppose one could also use the pouch to store purchases or a small oxygen bottle but what fun would that be?
  • 5I can fold the Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair flat with just one hand by picking up a handle on the seat. Very easy to stow this way.

Wheelchair Dance Competition in Europe

Ok, this video just flat out floored me - I had no idea that any kind of dancing can be done in a wheelchair! I watched every second of this video and bet you will too. Get on it - click that button. It's just fascinating.
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The Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair

Product Reviews

Drive medical fly weight transport chair58 customers have reviewed the Drive Medical companion wheelchair on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 stars. The lowest rating was 4 stars (9 people) and the rest were all 5 stars. That's a pretty good rating, all around. The below is a brief synopsis of what people had to say:

~Due to its small weight, this wheelchair was sited as being much easier to push than a standard wheelchair. I can vouch for that. My mom only weighs around 130 but, on a hill, I'm grateful for the 8" wheels (a smoother ride) and the light weight.

~Almost everyone comments on the ease of folding and storing this transport chair. It folds almost flat and can be stowed about anywhere. When we go to restaurants, I fold it up and put it next to our table or behind Mom's chair. It's also so comfortable that Mom sometimes just prefers to sit in the wheelchair over transferring to a regular chair.

~One reviewer noted that the Amazon.com price on this companion wheelchair beat Sam's club's price by $30. Now, that's a great thing!

~A few people noted that this wheelchair is best as a short term solution and not the best for a full day of shopping. I disagree as I've taken my Mom on very long excursions in the Drive Medical transport chair and she and I have found it to be perfectly comfortable.

Note: that's my brother pushing my Mom around Brookside Gardens here in Silver Spring, Maryland. We couldn't have done that outing if it weren't for the Drive Medical wheelchair.

My additional ramblings about caring for the elderly

I've been Mom's caregiver for 5 years and, in a lot of ways, we've both learned the hard way. I developed the below articles in the hopes that they may save some other people who are in my path so of the heartache that I experienced.
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Got wheelchair? Need one?

Have you ever used or pushed a wheelchair? What's your take on the Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair How about this lens? Love it or hate it - please leave me a comment.

  • hellodoly May 19, 2012 @ 5:56 pm | delete
    great content / great typing skills. 5 stars for you and...keep it like this.
    Transport Marfa BucurestiTransport Moloz Bucuresti
  • Tipi Oct 8, 2011 @ 11:32 am | delete
    When you need a wheel chair to get around in, there is nothing else like it. I see people take light weight wheel chair and electric ones out of the backs of vans, and they look so easy to deal with.
  • gottaloveit Oct 9, 2011 @ 10:04 am | delete
    Tipi: we LOVE our little companion wheelchair. So easy to bring with us anywhere and stows in the back of my convertible too.
  • scarlettohairy Sep 11, 2011 @ 7:52 pm | delete
    This sounds like a great way to go. Literally! I love that it's so lightweight. That's an important feature.
  • happynutritionist Sep 5, 2011 @ 11:16 am | delete
    I have a disabled brother and my father lived for about 5 years after having a stroke...so we are very familiar with and thankful for wheel chairs.
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I care, therefore, I am

I am blessed to have the chance to show my Mom (and my Dad up in Heaven) how much I appreciated the love and devotion they gave to our family. I see this time in my life as a time to give back. And, what I'm giving now by caring for my darling Mom is a fraction of what they gave to us.

This Drive Medical Fly Weight Transport Chair lens is my 58th lens. To see my other articles, click My Squidoo Profile.
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by

gottaloveit

I used to spend most of my days caring for my adorable 95 year old Mom, Gertie; she died peacefully in my arms Feb 15, 2012.

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