Felicia was forced to pay for the wear and tear of her wheelchair

Felicia Sparrström from Gothenburg was born with a spinal cord injury and is paralyzed from the navel down. She has had to use a wheelchair since she stopped using a stroller at the age of three.

On a daily basis, she works as a dancer at the Spinn dance company in Gothenburg and is also a group training instructor and is in her last week of her physical therapy training.

Every four years, he changes to a new wheelchair provided by the Västra Götaland region. In September, it was time for a new change, but it wasn’t until February that he was surprised.

Felicia was forced to pay SEK 2,707 for “abnormal” wear, something Göteborgs-Posten reported first.

– My first thought was: “I don’t intend to pay for this. It’s just wrong. ” I’ve used it normally and lived my life as always, says Felicia Sparrström.

You cannot appeal the bill

However, Felicia was told that the decision could not be appealed.

Depending on the region, the user is responsible for the correct use of the aid, and if the aid is deemed to be more damaged than normal, the person borrowing the aid may be liable for compensation.

– I live an active life. I train a lot, walk and travel a lot for work and private. I drive a lot and she wears out a lot in the wheelchair, as well as in people’s shoes, says Felicia Sparrström.

However, the Västra Götaland region assesses that Felicia’s old wheelchair is so damaged that it cannot be reused.

– I think the whole situation is difficult. I feel discriminated against and humiliated. Should I be punished for leading an active life? I think it’s wrong and I don’t want this to affect anyone else, says Felicia.

There is an opportunity to reconsider

Carina Holgesson, manager of the primary care assistive technology unit, tells GP that there is an opportunity to reconsider the decision.

– You must use an aid, absolutely, and normal wear and tear is completely natural. When an invoice is issued, it is applied to damages in addition to normal wear and tear and then there is a communication with the patient’s prescriber, Carina Holgesson tells the newspaper.