If you have a condition that comes with paralysis or mobility disability and need the help of staff getting into the oxygen chamber, this place is *not* for you. Or if you believe in accessibility for disabled folks in general, and that principle should be a priority in a facility whose sole purpose is "healing", this place is * not* for you.
My father has advanced Multiple Sclerosis and needs to be transferred in and out of his wheelchair. He is 6'2", and to get into another chair or bed, it takes another person, or sometimes two or three people. We understand that takes time and effort. (As his family and caregivers, we do it multiple times a day, every day.) But at other appointments such as the dentist or any of the many other doctors and professionals he must see, it's not a problem; staff are trained, happy to help, and expect it is part of their job in a health setting.
The Hyperbaric Oxygen Institute advertises its services specifically for "quadriplegia" (this is literally the first condition listed on their "conditions treated" page) and mentions that folks with MS, Parkinson's, stroke, and other similar disorders can be helped. This gave my parents a lot of hope. They made an appointment and were willing to invest significant precious resources into receiving the advertised treatments. At the appointment, they accomplished the transfer and it was fine, but they were treated like a bother (by one staff member in particular). After that, my parents received a phone call telling them not to come back. The staff said my father was a liability and their insurance wouldn't cover the needed support to help him transfer and access their services.
My mom cried for hours and my dad was sad for days. Not only were they humiliated, but they felt hopeless after being treated that way specifically at a place meant to help people like him. Fortunately, most other medical (and other) facilities we must frequent are accommodating, and have the staff and insurance in place to actually help the people who need it.
I am glad that this place is helping some people. But my recommendation to them would be to increase their liability insurance coverage in order to be accessible to all, and be able to help those to whom they specifically advertise. In the meantime, those who need extra support in accessing HBOT services should stay away. read more
