Drive Medical 14886 Skin Protection Gel "E" Wheelchair Seat Cushion

I bought my first one of these 2-yr ago after reading lots of reviews. I decided to get it because reviewers said it didn't stay collapsed once you sit on it, but molds itself to your bottom for good support without pressure points . That is very true. Also, after constant use by an overweight 70+ person for a year, it's like new. This cushion has been the answer to setting on a hard or poorly cushioned chair for a long time and not having a sore butt, pain and aggravation due to spinal stenosis, or backache. It's often taken to meetings and to the theater. Unbearable seats are now comfortable. It has a silky blue side that does not make you hot but it is slippery, and a gray non-breathable side that won't slide but will make your butt sweat. It's usually used with the gray side down so it stays cool, yet one can easily slide on the blue side to change positions. In cold weather, putting the gray side up acts like a seat warmer. The slippery side could result in someone sliding out of their chair, but only if they weren't sitting all the way back or they slouched terribly. It is a simple thick gel pad encased in foam all around, inside a removeable cover, as shown in the photos. Two problems I have had in over two years. One is that the handle broke away after a year due to a stitching problem, but Drive replaced the whole cushion. I just weighed with and without it, and the 18x16x3 weighs 6.2#. Definitely not lightweight. I frequently carry it under my arm for fear the handle will again pull away. Second problem was that security at Reagan Airport confiscated it because the gel was opaque and they couldn't tell what was inside. I ordered another one and took the time to open the zippered cover and carefully cut the outer foam enough to reveal a few inches of the gel pad. Reagan AP again tried to confiscate it, but finally let it thru. Pack it in my checked bag was Reagan AP's solution. Due to frequent trips to DC, I finally decided to order a 2nd one and leave it there so I wouldn't have to take it thru Reagan security. But on international flights, I need it in the chair.

It's been 5 weeks now and I've gone from getting up every 30 mins and standing at my desk during my last hour of my shift, to working OT every night for the past 3 straight weeks and I'm not in pain anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel amazing and here I used to dread coming to work and sitting down. Now when I sit I feel like I'm sitting on a fricken cloud of air! Note the first 2 weeks were still hard because I had built up about 2 years of soreness to the point where I was ready to opt for a stand up work station. This was the best $38 after shipping that I could invest. I opted for the 3" thick one here obviously because of my boney butt. So figure about 3 weeks before you feel like a new person. It's comfortable from the first day. Nice and heavy, has a handle and this 18" wide was perfect for my chair and butt. Measure your chair first to make sure and order the right size. There's a few to choose from if I remember right for this model.I was feeling helpless and was in A LOT of pain and discomfort before I started using this. I've been working in a sitting desk style job for over 10 years now and it didn't bother me until about 3 years ago. Anyway great value compared to actual office chair cushions.Best! MichaelUPDATE: The gel inside broke after about 1 year but it was still worth it considering how much it helped me. I've also just switched to a sit/stand station at work that's really helping me.

So far, so good. This cushion is exactly what my dad needs. We bought a Nova 352 transport wheelchair which he sometimes sits in for 1-2 hours at a time when we go out somewhere. He says it's very comfortable. The 3" rise puts his arms in an ideal position for the arm rests. The gel insert makes the cushion comfortable for him and hopefully safe for extended sitting. Since he doesn't live in the transport chair, this cushion doesn't need to be a 12-hour-per-day cushion, so I'm sure it will suffice.The top side fabric seems perfect. It grips the right amount yet allows my dad to reposition himself when he first gets into the wheelchair. But we've had no issue with him (or the cushion) sliding around on the chair.I like the handle. It doesn't get in the way when the cushion is on the chair, yet it is extremely useful in moving the cushion around. I had never used a wheelchair cushion before, but now that I have, I would never want a cushion that lacked a handle.The cushion is attractive and looks like it cost way more than it does.Not sure what else there is to say about it. It allows gravity waves to pass through the cushion, conveniently and safely keeping my father in the chair. ;)One concern is the fragility of the gel insert. When the cushion arrived, it was wet. The box was dry and undamaged, yet there was clearly moisture between the cushion and the plastic wrap. Also, you could really feel the weight shift as you tilted the cushion from side to side, indicating that the gel had escaped from its bag/enclosure. I simply made a few mouse clicks and Amazon immediately sent a replacement that arrived in two days, and they had UPS come to my door the very next day to pick up the defective cushion. All I had to do was stick it back in the box and tape it shut. UPS guy had a return label already with him that he slapped over top of the previous shipping label. It was a total no-hassle return. No cost to us. And the replacement cushion is fine. I'm hoping that was an anomaly and the current cushion will last a long time. If not, we're out less than $30 and will find something else.Only reason I'm giving this 4 rather than 5 stars is the experience with the first leaky cushion that gives me concern about the longevity of this product. Time will tell. But for now, it's perfect for the cost.