Disabled hostage. The abuses of wheelchair suppliers

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Published by Dario Dongo on 7 January 2023

1) Batec, Ottobock Italy, ASL Rome 3

The electric motor for manual wheelchairs (so-called trike) produced by Batec Mobility SL in Spain it has already been the subject of at least two civil disputes and a provision of the Guarantor Authority for Competition and the Market (so-called Antitrust) activated by our association Égalité. (1) Due to a 9 month delay for a repair.

The Batec Rapido 2 – which costs over 7 thousand euros, as much as an electric Vespa, despite being in fact a half-electric bike, with only one wheel – is the protagonist of new abuses by Batec Mobility and its 'exclusive importer in Italy' Ottobock Italia. Which in turn, as we read on both sites website, should guarantee its assistance and repairs.

The disabled hostage of Batec Mobility and Ottobock Italia has been the victim of repeated lockdown, still in progress, as a result of five failures of a brand new Batec Rapido 2, still under warranty. From September to December, three weeks in March. Then again, from July to September and one month after the new breakdown, from October 2022, autumn/winter, until today.

2) Vitea Care, USL North-West Tuscany

The electric wheelchair Vitea Care, produced in Poland and assigned by USL Toscana Nord-Ovest di Pisa to one of its 'clients' – at least in words – tends to have problems with the batteries. Problems not referable to disuse since its user is affected by a serious disability, with 30 years of multiple sclerosis behind him, and without an electric wheelchair he is unable to move.

The previous failure, last year, forced the disabled person to be stuck at home for 20 days. And again, last Christmas, the pram stopped. Also forcing this disabled person to be stuck at home for the entire holiday season. Still awaiting feedback from the supplier LGR Medical Services Srl, in the silence of the USL of Pisa.

3) Disabled hostage. The lockdown forced by the abuses of the wheelchair suppliers

Managers and employees of public and private 'health' companies, with a minimum of intellectual effort, could try to put themselves in the shoes of those who are forced to use an electric wheelchair or an equivalent means (trike) to enter and leave the house. The Ministry of Health has included these devices in the list of 'life-saving' equipment, with DM 13.1.11, precisely because their unavailability – even for just a few days – makes the difference between living and not living. (3)

Il lockdown forced by the abuses of the suppliers of wheelchairs, it prevents us from fulfilling the simplest necessities of existence. Not just going to medical and rehabilitation centers, or to the pharmacy. Because the disabled are not 'sick' but human beings who, like everyone else, express their social, family and personal functions through work, meetings, 'walks' (albeit on wheels) and daily shopping, coffee and conviviality . Fundamental human rights, variously expressed and systematically denied.

4) Now Enough!

Égalité it has already been activated, in the cases mentioned above as in others. And he will continue his commitment, until European Court for Human Rights if necessary. Until assistance on the devices and aids essential to life and its dignity, for the disabled, is not guaranteed within a very short time. With the provision of replacement aids within 24, maximum 48 hours of reporting the fault.

Anyone with experience of delays and failures to assist wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs e trike or other aids are invited to write to us, on [email protected], so that we can gather as much information as possible about the abuses against disabled people and intervene, with the help of Égalité, for their protection and compensation. Forcing someone who is already disadvantaged into total disability is a crime that must be punished.

#Thats enough!

Dario Dongo