Uninsured and injured in NYC
January 3, 2011 6:48 AM Subscribe
Uninsured and injured in NYC-filter: Where can I get crutches?
Second day into losing health insurance and I've already wiped out hard on my building steps and sprained/scraped up my knee. I've been RICEing non-stop since then (11pm last night) and the swelling is half-way gone but now it's time to get out of the house and hobble around, and it's just not happening on my own.
This is surely because I've procrastinated on exploring free clinics and public insurance options, but pain and stress and urgency of errands are all clouding my thought process right now and I really just need some damn crutches.
I called the NYU Free Clinic and they said I would have to schedule an appt with a social worker and then, after approval, schedule another one to be checked out -- and that this would all take at least two days. This is a good start for the future but I'm broke and immobilized now.
So what would you do, mefi? Is there a place that would just loan them to me? Or a thrift store or medical supply store that sells them for super cheap? Have a pair and want to help rescue me from my prison of pillows and take-out menus??
Second day into losing health insurance and I've already wiped out hard on my building steps and sprained/scraped up my knee. I've been RICEing non-stop since then (11pm last night) and the swelling is half-way gone but now it's time to get out of the house and hobble around, and it's just not happening on my own.
This is surely because I've procrastinated on exploring free clinics and public insurance options, but pain and stress and urgency of errands are all clouding my thought process right now and I really just need some damn crutches.
I called the NYU Free Clinic and they said I would have to schedule an appt with a social worker and then, after approval, schedule another one to be checked out -- and that this would all take at least two days. This is a good start for the future but I'm broke and immobilized now.
So what would you do, mefi? Is there a place that would just loan them to me? Or a thrift store or medical supply store that sells them for super cheap? Have a pair and want to help rescue me from my prison of pillows and take-out menus??
IIRC, the Barnes & Noble on 5th Avenue and 18th St. has medical supplies.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:53 AM on January 3, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:53 AM on January 3, 2011
I have a pair you can have - they're adjustable to fit anyone from 5'2" to 5'10" - I'm in Park Slope.
memail me if you're interested.
posted by swngnmonk at 6:58 AM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
memail me if you're interested.
posted by swngnmonk at 6:58 AM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Try craigslist.. sure there are load of local people with a spare set lying around that could go to good use.
posted by wtfomghilol at 7:16 AM on January 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by wtfomghilol at 7:16 AM on January 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
I also have a pair you can borrow, but I'm at work today and can't get them to you. I live in Prospect Heights. I can bring them into the city tomorrow if that works better for you.
posted by Evangeline at 7:27 AM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Evangeline at 7:27 AM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Oh, I see you're in Brooklyn. Well that would make things easier. Lemme know if you still need them and I could probably get them to you tonight.
posted by Evangeline at 7:29 AM on January 3, 2011
posted by Evangeline at 7:29 AM on January 3, 2011
Response by poster: I'm on the Prospect/Crown Heights border in Brooklyn. I totally forgot about pharmacies, hermitosis! They're not cheap but maybe I can finagle a return. A rental service would be ideal.
Now I'm thinking a cane rather than full on crutches might be better for getting around on subways and navigating the one-way snowy sidewalks...
Anyone have an opinion on when to use one vs. the other?
posted by Juicy Avenger at 7:33 AM on January 3, 2011
Now I'm thinking a cane rather than full on crutches might be better for getting around on subways and navigating the one-way snowy sidewalks...
Anyone have an opinion on when to use one vs. the other?
posted by Juicy Avenger at 7:33 AM on January 3, 2011
If it's a cane you're after, you can almost definitely find one at Goodwill or Salvation Army -- and also at the pharmacy.
posted by hermitosis at 7:41 AM on January 3, 2011
posted by hermitosis at 7:41 AM on January 3, 2011
Response by poster: Oops I posted before seeing your comment, Evangeline! Thank you and also swngmonk for the offers, I'm going to test out a cane to see if that does the job but I will definitely let you know by the end of the day. The kindness and convenience of local mefits is blowing my mind a little.
posted by Juicy Avenger at 7:42 AM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Juicy Avenger at 7:42 AM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
For future reference, almost all fire departments in the US have crutches available for loan. If they don't have any available, they will refer you to some place that can help you out. Good luck, hope you heal quickly!
posted by Oriole Adams at 9:03 AM on January 3, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Oriole Adams at 9:03 AM on January 3, 2011 [4 favorites]
Parents of athletic teenagers are also likely to have extra crutches lying around.
posted by stefanie at 9:40 AM on January 3, 2011
posted by stefanie at 9:40 AM on January 3, 2011
I feel like Goodwill usually has a bin of crutches, canes and walkers. It's usually right next to the old skis.
posted by amanda at 9:50 AM on January 3, 2011
posted by amanda at 9:50 AM on January 3, 2011
If you do get a cane and/or crutches, for the love of God, get a set with decent padding for your hands! Your hands, wrists, and arms will thank you later.
posted by spinifex23 at 12:40 PM on January 3, 2011
posted by spinifex23 at 12:40 PM on January 3, 2011
Trying to be helpful, not a busybody: Have you used crutches before? It's very important that they be the right height for you and that the tops not (not not NOT) be pushing against your armpits. You should be supporting your weight on your hands, with the tops serving mostly for positioning and stabilization. Otherwise you risk permanent nerve damage to your arms and hands, or so I was sternly warned by the hospital tech who was fitting me for my crutches after a foot injury.
posted by Lexica at 5:53 PM on January 3, 2011
posted by Lexica at 5:53 PM on January 3, 2011
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You probably know this, but for the sake of being thorough, they sell them at Duane Reade/Rite Aid. I don't know exactly how much they cost, call the pharmacy and ask. It may be less than you think.
posted by hermitosis at 6:52 AM on January 3, 2011