A surprising number of the mobility devices we’re asked to fix have had mechanical issues since they were new. They get assembled incorrectly, pieces go missing during assembly, or devices are delivered already having problems.

This was the case for a power wheelchair, purchased online and in use by a resident at one of our Community Care partner senior living properties. The complaint was, “The controller mount is loose.” We found what’s shown in the picture above. Here’s what was under the tape:

The owner explained that it had been like that “since they got it,” held together with toggle bolts like one would use to hang a picture on drywall in their home. Needless to say, those had to go, replaced with correct metric machine screws and nylon locking nuts.

Little issues like this can have serious consequences for a senior using one of these sketchy devices. Sharp corners cut; cuts turn into wounds that need special care. Loose or missing hardware can result in a fall. (See the lost leg story!) But the good news is that we can address them, and we enjoy doing it.