Wheelchair repairs taking too long, Saint John woman says

A Saint John woman says she has waited too long to get her wheelchair fixed.

Shirley Moulton, 62, says she has no idea why it's taken so long to get the repairs.

Moulton says when her electric wheelchair broke about two months ago, Red Cross technicians came to her home to assess what repairs needed to be made.

Since mid-January, the Red Cross has been supplying equipment for Social Development clients.

Moulton says a request was put into the Department ofSocial Development to approve the repairs, but she says her wheelchair has yet to fixed.

"If they were in Saint John, I'd be over there bugging them something wicked," shesaid.

Moulton says she was given a replacement chair, but says it's not meeting her needs. She says shecan't travel far and can no longer go to visit her twin sister.

"It's been bad for me. I've been getting upset," Moulton said.

"And I take seizures if I get stressed, so it's really bad."

At times, when a wheelchair has mechanical issues, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of the problems.- Department of Social Development

The Department of Social Development said in a statement itcan't comment on specific cases.

"At times, when a wheelchair has mechanical issues, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of the problems," the statement read.

"Depending on the problem, replacement parts may have to be ordered from the manufacturer which may also take time to arrive."

In suchcases, replacement wheelchairs are provided, the statement said.

Last December, the New Brunswick Association of Occupational Therapists expressed concerns about the Red Cross contract, saying it was ill-equipped to do the work.

NBAOTexecutive director Ellen Snider said in an email that they've been collecting feedback from members and will be meeting with the Red Cross next week to review any issues.