Friday, March 28, 2008 -- 10:02 AM   It took a while, but yesterday the problems with my wheelchair were finally solved and fixed.  Things started out ominously.  It was kind of like taking a car in for repair.  Once you get to the garage, the car usually works perfectly.  The same things happened with my wheelchair.  The repairman worked on it for a while, then said that it was too bad I "came all this way for nothing."   I told him I had only been there fifteen minutes, and I was not yet ready to leave.  He was reluctant to spend more time working on my chair, until I asked to see the manager who I have known for almost two years.  That changed his attitude quickly.   When I first went into the store, I tried telling the repairman that I thought there was a short in the wiring on my chair.  My opinion apparently did not agree with him, so I was ignored.  Before long, there were two men working on my chair.  After a lengthy period of testing, they decided that there was indeed, a short in the wiring. Duh!   Although I was disturbed by their not believing me to begin with, my anger subsided later on when it came time to settle the bill.  I asked if there were any papers I needed to sign for Medicare and Medicaid.  The repairman looked somewhat stunned as he realized that he had neglected to get what is called a "prior authorization" from Medicare before doing the work on my wheelchair.  Without that, Medicare will not pay anything.  He told me that he could not charge me anything, and the work that had been done was free.  I was not unhappy with that outcome.   I have almost resolved the problem of who will go with me to see my orthopedic surgeon on April 7.  Since my sister cannot do it, I have asked one of my CNAs if she will.  I said that I would pay her, and arrange for her to ride with me both there and back.  She said that she could do that, and I will talk to her in more detail later this afternoon.   Quotes for Success:   “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”   Benjamin Disraeli