Special Needs Equipment

Okay so I understand the whole concept of supply and demand and why everything costs so much, but seriously this is out of control.

So we are in the process of getting a Kid Kart for Trystyn and just let me say THANK GOD FOR FIRST STEPS.  They are paying for it.  All $5,000.00 of it. How in the world should a stroller - okay a seat positioning stroller - possibly cost that much. I mean seriously we are the average working family. If this had to come out of our pocket, I really don't know what we would do.  Because like probably everybody else we live paycheck to paycheck.  We do have great health insurance coverage, but I quickly found out that the $5,000.00 per calender year max that we have on durable medical equipment is extremely low.  Apparently, the Kid Kart will hopefully last her until she turns 5, which is just 3 1/2 short years away.  Yes, I said short.  It seems lately that my life is passing by in the blink of an eye.  I mean what are we going to do after that?  The First Steps Program only lasts until she turns 3.  Then apparently you are directed to go through the school system.  Which I can only hope is just as good.  Because if you remember, by this time next year we will be a one income family.

I really would just like to know how these companies justify the cost of the equipment that disabled people need?  I mean how do they expect them to pay for it?  With the meager social security benefits that they get?  That is if they are entitled to Social Security.  Which in our case Trystyn is not, because you (as parent's) have to basically make less then $1,000.00 per month to qualify.

I guess I just don't understand.  Maybe I am missing something.  Obviously, I am new to this world, but I would just like somebody to explain how a special needs stroller can cost that much to make.  I mean I could probably find a half way decent car for that amount.  Really the problem is that there is nothing that I can do about it.  But, I do know that if we had to pay for this ourselves, well at this point Trystyn  would still be using her $40.00 pink umbrella stroller that my mom bought for her.  That really is not good for her to be sitting in. 

I have to say though that I am definitely not looking forward to when Trystyn turns 3 and ages out of the First Steps Program, because then I guess I will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

Carrie

Comments

[equipment rental business]

Well, there is a really a big leap difference of supply and demand today than last year. And I guess all of the things for disabled people are pretty expensive.

-Luigi