Being ataxic, I need additional support to get around; like a walker or power wheelchair.

I was in Toronto for 4 days before CNIB Lake Joesph retreat. So, I decided to rent a power wheelchair! A dependable means of transpo that I could use to get around this huge city.

Alas, something was not right, but first… Who among my readers has rented a car? Stayed at a hotel? Gone fishing on a rented pontoon? I could go on…

Almost everyone? Right!

The point being; your rental is clean, dependable, easy to maneuver, everything in working order. If something was missing, you’d pick up your phone and call/text front desk, or service, and they’d do something about it.

We’ve all been there.

Well, my rented power chair, it seems, was not dependable!

The joystick and thus steering, was very jerky; even the slightest touch would send me in a direction I didn’t want to go. It was very very sensitive!

Every joystick has an on/off switch, as well as a speed switch. This chair had a speed dial! It just spun, no stop point. So, I didn’t know if I was in turtle, gazelle or rocket mode!

But, the main issue, the one that befuddled me, was the battery.

I noticed it drained incredibly fast on my first trip! I was using it for 45 minutes when I happened to glance at the joystick screen; I was at one bar of battery life. There were five full bars when I started out!

How did that happen? I was dumbfounded! My own chair, as well as the one I was gifted in 2016, can go 48 hours without charging!

I sent the rental company an email as I ate my late lunch at McDonald’s, and they replied as I made my way back.

Yes, they would come Friday morning, to put in a new battery.

However, I had plans on Friday morning and could not idle, I had places to be, friends to see, things to do.

So, I wisely took the battery charging block with me on Friday.

A really smart idea!

I arrived at my destination, I saw I still had four bars, so I parked and met my old friends, had a great time!

Then I did some shopping, took the subway south, got out at Bloor station, went south again on Yonge, invading Bulk Barn at College & Yonge. I happened to glance at the display, I was flashing red! I needed to charge!

So, I hauled ass to Toronto Public Library, I arrived pretty quick, and was able to charge it somewhat.

Yet, it was nearing dinner time, and my friends were wondering when I would arrive. I had been at the iconic library for about 15 minutes. I thought that was enough, packed up and went back to Bloor station to get the subway east.

Well, that plan didn’t work, because this rental, I started calling it a Turd Bucket about this time, died inside Bloor station!

I was infuriated!

Luck was smiling on me, as I was very close to a plug on the wall. I sat there, looking forlorn, with a battery block at my feet, one end in the wall, other end in the chair.

I sat there for 15 minutes as I monitored the crowd and TB’s slow battery rise! It was maddening!

Finally one bar showed itself, phew! I hastily unplugged this contraption and headed east, and finally back to where I was staying!

If you rented a car, you would need to fill the tank with gas or electricity, right. But during the time you operated the vehicle, you wouldn’t need to change the oil, put air in the tires, etc…

Why did I have to bring the battery block with me? Why was this battery even being used?

I’ve alerted the company, and will get a refund shortly.

Thank you for listening!

Have a great day!