Wheelchair users say private equity is making repairs harder

People who rely on wheelchairs say that industry consolidation driven by private equity means long delays in getting them fixed, which isolates them from society and endangers their health. SCOTT DETROW, HOST: More than 5 million people across the country use a wheelchair, according to census data. When a part breaks down on those chairs, it's not just an inconvenience. It can lead to being stuck at home and to serious health consequences. Wheelchair users say they do not have many options when they need a repair because, in part, of the private equity industry. GBH's Meghan Smith has more. MEGHAN SMITH, BYLINE: I'm walking around downtown Boston with Franklin Pineda-Lopez. (SOUNDBITE OF WHEEL CLICKING) SMITH: That is not what a wheelchair is supposed to sound like. One of his wheels is wobbly. FRANKLIN PINEDA-LOPEZ: Our wheelchairs are our legs. SMITH: This winter was tough on his chair. He's been waiting for a repair since February. PINEDA-LOPEZ: I'd like to get to, you know, point A to point B as fast as possible, which is why I have to always remember to kind of slow down. SMITH: For wheelchair users across the country, long waits for repairs are common. Delays can leave them stranded on sidewalks, stuck in bed, missing family milestones, and they say it's gotten worse over the past decade. …