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Hi! I’m new here and having problems posting (sorry for the double post), so I hope this work and someone can help!
I have been looking into wheelchair rentals in Japan but all I can find are manual chairs and small powerchairs without neck support. I have an amazing Permobil M5 and it’s the only thing that allows me to leave the house. However I cannot afford to loose it to an airline mishap (which seems to happen way too often apparently). I learned that a lot of people just rent a wheelchair at their destination but this will be my first time trying, since usually I can take mine with me safely by train when traveling.
Do you know where or IF it is possible to rent a powerchair like this around Haneda airport? I need neck support, tilting and reclining, as well as a good shock absorption to be able to move around. I’m not paralysed but cannot move around without this due to medical conditions. I already found a way to recline during the flights, but I still need the chair waiting for me at the airport or at least at our first hotel in Yokohama to be able to even consider doing this.
I also appreciate any advice if you have safely traveled with your own powerchair.
Thank you so much in advance 💙. This community is amazing and hope I can become a part of this if it works and I can finally make the trip I have been dreaming about for more than 20 years.
This is a picture of the Permobil M5 for reference, as well as a link (I tried hyperlinks but it didn’t work):
https://www.permobil.com/products/power-wheelchairs/permobil-m5-corpus
permobil.com
The M5 Corpus is made for more adventure, which gives it a capability all of its own for users who require more speed, stronger motors, higher elevation, better reach and exceptional comfort, stability and traction in varying driving situations. With … Continue reading
Josh Grisdale11 Comments-
Sorry about that, for some reason it was flagged as spam. I unspammed it.
Unfortunately I think it would be very difficult to get something like that.
There is a Permobil office in Tokyo though. They might be the best bet…
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@Josh Grisdale Thank you so much, now it’s double posted, should I deleted the first post or the second? 😅
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I fly fairly frequently with my invacare wheelchair with no problems here in Japan. What airline will you be flying?
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@Josh Grisdale If all goes well, Finnair (from the Netherlands to Haneda).
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Communicate well with the airline early and then follow up closer to the date.
Just before boarding, clearly describe how to handle it in manual mode (where to push, where not to touch etc).
Before handing it over, take pictures from multiple angles just in case you have any issues, you have proof of what it was like before you left (eliminating any questions of who is at fault)
Ask your provider in Finland to put you in touch with the Permobil office here in Tokyo so if anything comes up, you have a number to call.
And remember, we are here for you! If you need anything, just ask!!!
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@Josh Grisdale Thank you so much! I’ll indeed ask for the contact for their office in Tokyo. I’ll also ask about the transport instructions, maybe they can explain better so I can give that information. I have been considering adding the extra back truck for storage (charger, tools, etc.), specially if we are going to travel with it, and hopefully I can do both together.
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I second the post about it be difficult to rent a chair… these chairs are made more custom to our size and accessibility needs. That’s probably why it’s easier to find manual chairs and scooters to rent. I have traveled many of times and thankfully only had one issue. It was a smaller plane coming from Mexico. Thankfully I was flying home. It was too tall so they turned it on its side.
Just make sure to check the cargo space on the plane and take off all of your removable parts( headrest, cushion, possibly armrest)
The last planes I was on it sounded like they were storing the chair separate from other cargo so that’s great! Anyhow, good luck!
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@Anita Thank you! How do you check the cargo space apart from confirming the right dimensions with the airline?
I know how to remove the headrest, but don’t know how to do the same with the cushions and armrests. I’m particularly worried about protecting the controller. When you take everything you can apart, how do you take it with you on the cabin? In the past we traveled with the manual and my poor husband had to carry around my old cushion and the feet supports apart from helping me in and it was a mess. This will be much bulkier and heavier. We thought about an IKEA bag to put at least the headrest in at the gate, but don’t know if it will fit without problems in the overhead compartments.
Last question, when you had that problem on your way home, did the airline cover/repair the damage? I heard they often shrug it off and had that done with suitcases many years ago, don’t know how it will work with something as expensive as a powerchair.
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So, I do just give my wheelchair dimensions to the airline and they are able to confirm the size. I’m not sure what happened with the airplane coming from Mexico. In general, the international flights will have larger space because they are usually larger planes. You can find out the type of plane you will be on and the cargo space underneath however, I have struggled to find The exact height that I needed to determine if my wheelchair would fit. But, you have to give them the dimensions of your chair when you tell them you’ll be fine with a wheelchair. (purchasing the ticket.) so I should be able to tell you for sure if we fit regarding all the things that come off of the chair yes, it is a lot for everyone to carry a bag to put them in. Is a great idea! Delta has a closet that they put my extra parts in, but we did fly on an airline this last time that made as put the pieces in the overhead compartment, and that was fine. It’s not considered one of our personal bags that work to take because it’s medical regarding the joystick, I have put something around it before to keep it safe, but for the most part I don’t and when I mentioned taking armrest off, that is only if they would be likely to come off. If they are secured on them and you don’t think they would break feel free to leave them up. But, I always take my seat cushion because that is what I sit on to fly anyways with being paralyzed. It helps with the pressure and not getting sore while on the plane. If you’re lucky, you can check your wheelchair at the gate and not have to sit in one of their chairs for a long time at the airport, but some airports and some airlines require you to check them at the check-in counter. 😒
So, to reiterate, I would take off all that you’re afraid would come off in transit, possibly, your seat cushion to sit on, put it all in a bag for your husband to carry. Try to condense your other carry-on stuff so he isn’t carrying as much.. 🙂 it is stressful and it does put a lot on our traveling partners, but it is an amazing experience that I’ve been able to do it!!
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