The biggest disappointment I brought back from Tallahassee was a brand new power PRIDE "VIBE"  wheelchair. I used it for the last two weeks at the Legislature.

In the 3rd week we noticed that the fabric backing of the wheelchair was ripping out on both sides at the top of the wheelchair. We also noticed that the wheelchair was "squeaking" with every move in every direction, and getting worse. Since the wheelchair was purchased in Tallahassee and I live in Miami, the manufacturer was called at 800-800-8586. "Jenny" said I had to take the wheelchair back to the dealer, 12 hours away.

Jenny was insistent that nothing could be done, and the dealer was the only contact. I looked up Pride Dealers at www.quantumrehab.com, and found one near my home. His name was Joe. I took the wheelchair to the Miami dealer Joe Fernandez, who called the Pride Company and talked to someone in the Rehab Section at length. The best that Joe could get from the manufacturer was to call Dan at 954-260-2914. Joe called Dan, who was the South Florida Pride Representative. Joe explained the problem by phone to Dan.

Dan told Joe that the customer must have taken the wheelchair in water or sand and ruined the suspension system. Dan told Joe that he has seen this problem before and there was no need to look at this wheelchair that I had for a full month. Joe was dumbfounded, and said "he didn't even want to look at the wheelchair". Apparently, Pride Mobility Productions Corp., just likes to get the money and are unwilling to acknowledge wheelchair problems. Hopefully, Dan is not representative of all of Pride's area managers. But resolving the problem seems rather hopeless and dismal at this point.

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure that PRIDE knows about the suspension problem. Especially if it surfaced within a month of use, two weeks in the halls of the legislature, where there was no sand, but some rain, and two weeks in Miami.

Option Care did not tell me about the suspension problem. Pride's man in South Florida knew all about it, and was quick to accuse me of taking the chair in sand or water and ruining the suspension system. All in the space of about one month. Well, I have been caught in the rain and have been in sand. And I live in Florida where we have sand and water and rain. And this is my 4th power wheelchair and the other three did not have problems with the Florida environment. In my humble opinion PRIDE has a "LEMON" of a suspension system.

I contacted the Insurance Workers Compensation Company who paid for the wheelchair. I outlined the problem. They  urged me to call the dealer, Option Care in Tallahassee, Florida at 800-464-8455, extension 3701. I called them several times and only got voice messages. Someone then called, from Option Care, and left a message to take the wheelchair to Buddy's Sunset. This is the same Buddy's that we sent the police to visit for having Vans for Sale in the Disabled parking. And who was reported to the Building Department for having illegal disabled parking spaces. Who now has a new disabled parking space with the access aisle on the driver's side. Since the parking space is next to the building it is about impossible to back into. And can you believe, every single work day Buddy's parks at least one or two vans in this access aisle with no fear from the Miami Dade Police Department, who did not issue tickets the first time they visited Buddy's on the first police complaint. Buddy's is famous with the Florida Paraplegic Association and many other people with disabilities for ripping off people with disabilities and shoddy business practices.

I do not think Option Care knew that the "Vibe" is a lemon. But they have not been very helpful in resolving the problem. Option Care was aware of a part missing for the "basket" accessory. They said it would come in the mail from the manufacturer. It never came, but Option Care never followed up to make sure I got it.

The manufacturer does not want to deal with the problem. So what do you do when you get a lemon of a wheelchair, and are the third party of the transaction?

Since it was not my money and it was the insurance company who paid for it, I cannot sue. I can only try to get the Insurance Company to sue. They wanted to be careful with the wheelchair purchase. Option Care did a complete measuring of me so that I would fit into the wheelchair. Precautions were taken. We just could not foresee the suspension lemon problem.

So I have turned to the Consumer Protection Agency in Washington D.C. I not only want the money returned, I want the "Vibe" Wheelchair recalled. Anyone with a Pride or Vibe suspension problem can send a complaint at www.ftc.gov/ptc/consumer.htm. And to this web site. Unlike the government we will post any rip off complaints for people with disabilities.

The VIBE has some other problems too that make it a bad investment. The rear of the chair projects several inches out, more than other wheelchairs. It can be lived with, but is irritating in small places. The back seating material does not come down to the seat, so I have to constantly watch to see if my pants are pulled way up or the rear is exposed. The VIBE also is not very powerful in high grass. These items can be lived with but should be considered as negative features.

The Vibe has foot petals that are heavy, and has a very unsturdy hinge. This one broke the week of July 15th, about 7 months after taking possession of the new Pride Vibe wheelchair. For over a week I have been using one leg rest, with my right foot crossed over the left one.  Hopefully that left hinge will not also break, while waiting for a replacement hinge.

Days later a black nut fell off the left side foot rest heel strap. They don't even use the nylon lock nuts on this wheelchair. The foot rests have black paint on the extensions. These came with nice covers with Velcro. They  came off. They are added to the leg rests as the paint  comes off with each item the leg rests come in contact with. Most wheelchairs use a powder  paint process that is strong.

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