On 25 August 2025, the TiLite fitting specialist came to my apartment along with the vendor I’ve chosen to work with for my new wheelchair. This visit was a long time coming, and, honestly, a little nerve-wracking. But it turned out to be one of the most hopeful and empowering experiences I’ve had in years.
The good news was confirmed right away: the chair and the power-assist device are fully covered through the programmes I qualify for. That’s an enormous relief, as these aren’t small expenses. And before anyone asks, no, I don’t need a full power chair. A manual chair with power assist is what fits my life. I don’t need power all the time, but on long days out, or when I’m facing rough terrain, it will help protect my arms and shoulders from overuse while still letting me move independently.
First Impressions of the TiLite
The demo chair brought in was a TiLite TRA, along with a folding chair fitted with the Companion Plus power-assist attachment. My very first thought was, “Wow, this sits higher than I expected.” That’s when I realised my current chair is far too low to the ground, built with the caregiver in mind rather than me as the actual user.
Sliding into the TiLite was a revelation. Instead of “falling” into it, like I’ve had to do with my existing chair, I could simply sit down. It was such a simple thing, yet it immediately highlighted how poorly my current chair fits me. The fixed footplate felt a little awkward at first, but it quickly stopped being an issue as I tested the chair throughout the day.
We didn’t stay confined to the apartment, either. To my surprise, we headed into the hallway. Within minutes I was flying down the corridor, picking up speed, pivoting, and then slowing down, and the chair responded so smoothly. It felt natural. I hadn’t realised just how much effort I was putting into moving around in my current chair until I got a taste of how mobility should feel.
When I wheeled back to them, I noticed the fitter and vendor filming me. At first it felt odd, but they explained it was partly for evaluation and partly to share with other team members who contribute to the fitting process.
Measuring Up
Then came the serious part: measurements. The fitting specialist initially relied on large calipers (which looked almost comical to me, I’ve only ever seen them in fitness settings for body fat tests). He suggested a 20-inch wide chair. I wasn’t convinced. I asked him to do a proper hands-on assessment. He agreed, and with my consent, measured me directly.
That’s when he realised I had a point. At the start of the year, I weighed 275 pounds. As of my last diabetic clinic appointment, I’m down to 257, about 7% of my body weight gone in six months. My personal goal is modest: lose around 20 pounds a year or, at the very least, not gain weight. Over the past decade I’ve consistently managed slow loss or stability, never regaining.
With that in mind, I explained how a slightly narrower chair, 19 inches, would not only support me better now but also give me more core stability and security. In the 20-inch demo, I felt like I was “swimming” in it. I even demonstrated with my fists on either side to show the extra space. After seeing what I meant, he agreed: 19 inches was the right choice.
Ultimately, we settled on 19 wide by 18 deep. It will support me properly now, but also allow for further weight loss. My current chair is a 23, and I’ve been lost in it since day one, which has been awful for my spine and skin.
Putting the Demo Chair to the Test
Throughout the assessment, I tried techniques I’ve seen other wheelchair users demonstrate online. To my shock, I could actually do some of them, not perfectly, of course, but well enough that both the fitter and vendor understood what I was attempting. They remarked on my chair skills, and the vendor even noticed how much better my posture was in the demo compared to my current chair.
One of the most astonishing differences? I wasn’t constantly sliding forward. In my current chair, I have to reposition myself every few seconds. In the TiLite, with its 1-degree dump, I simply stayed put. It felt stable and secure, and for once, my watch buzzing every 10 minutes to remind me to shift didn’t feel like a constant nuisance.
We went through every detail together:
- Foot positioning – The footplate will be raised slightly so I can sit with my feet flat (something I honestly can’t remember the feeling of).
- Front taper – A V taper, narrowing from 19 to 11, so my legs won’t splay out.
- Wheels – Likely 24s, with a 2-degree camber for better push mechanics.
- Casters – 6-inch for outdoor stability, even if it slightly reduces my turning circle.
- Side guards – Flush with the wheels, for protection without hindering transfers.
- No armrests – I’ve never used them, they just get in the way.
- Folding push handles – so strangers are less likely to grab me without permission, but I can still hook my backpack.
- Backrest – Lower, with lumbar support, to stabilise the spasms in my lower back.
When I was in the demo, I actually felt childlike, giddy even. For the first time in years, moving wasn’t a chore. My shoulders weren’t screaming at me after a few minutes. It felt like freedom.
Trying the Power Assist
After the fitting specialist left, the vendor brought out the Companion Plus power assist. If the TiLite demo was freeing, this was a revelation. The device handled like a dream, gliding smoothly over cracked pavement and awkward curb cuts that usually leave me stuck or needing help. The tight turning circle was especially surprising.
For me, it’s not about always needing power, but having it as an option changes everything. Long days, rough sidewalks, construction zones… suddenly they’re manageable without wearing out my shoulders or relying on N to push.
Looking Ahead
The vendor is sending me more information soon, and with everything moving forward, I may have my new chair by the end of the month. That’s astonishing considering my last chair took nearly four months to arrive. If it does, then outings for N’s birthday and my own won’t feel like the exhausting ordeal they usually are.
As I move forward, I’ll be sharing more about what this journey really looks like, the challenges, the small wins, and the ways I keep adapting. This isn’t the end of the story, just the start of opening it up.
Stay tuned, more posts are on the way soon.