Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

There are items that are difficult to buy sight unseen, this was one and took a great deal of effort to pull the "Buy" button. Buying such items is even harder when comments won't address the very reason an item is considered, I'm frustrated and annoyed by the idiots who answer "Questions" with "Sorry, I don't know" -Why in the World would somebody stamp themselves as an idiot? Anyway, on to the practical review. This item was purchased because I'm PHYSICALLY disabled, I have ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of sever Arthritis -cartilage of the spine (mainly) turned to calcified bone, removing the natural "cushion" afforded by cartilage, causing sever pain and an inability to bend, there are other 2ndry eye issues and kidney stones become more prevalent due to the calcium imbalance. I'm also afflicted with regular arthritis. Overall the implications are sever enough that I'm unable to sleep in a bed, I'm a single Dad of three girls and they always came first, after two years I finally belted out the need to buy a decent recliner and spent months reviewing. Although I'm medically disabled now, I spent my working life predominately as a critical care nurse, only fairly recently has sufficient lift options have become available in the arena of Nursing Care, in my day I was pulled all over a facility to lift obese patients, typically in the 450 -600lb range (Often wondered if there had been an addiction tax, that would have covered health workers, like all the other "Special" tax's)-Took a toll. REVIEW: This Ashley recliner has provided rest, where no rest had been available before over two years. I had a feeling a good recliner "May" allow more than 2 hours sleep an any one time and indeed it happened. The main criteria was to have the footrest come up high enough to assist in lower extremity lymphedema, the score I gave this recliner was 8 out of 10, but my scoring relates specifically to a need and felt another two inch rise would have met out a 10/10. Measured against my existing couch I had to sleep in which was microfiber and a manual foot rest extension, the Ashley auto recliner was the same extended footrest height, but I had great difficulty getting the manual footrest back into the couch in order to get up. The Ashley footrest with the electric option provided function. The Ashley recliner was 2 inches higher than my couch, took a couple of days to adjust to the difference, extending the back of the Ashley recliner, from the wall was 14 inches from completely straight up to a full reclined position; the electric cable has more than enough room if required to have the recliner move further from the wall. The motor is very quiet, unobtrusive. The overall size on Amazon appears fairly large, in fact it's a very reasonable mid size, of course pictures make it difficult to tell. I always thought recliners could be better presented, most do not make an effort to show full range and a person for sizing. This recliner has made my life a lot easier, I believe if two changes were made, then this recliner would satisfy 100% of people who need a recliner for health issues. 1> Have the footrest elevate another two inches (rather than simply flat) and 2> The LUMBAR support is too low, needs to be at least 4 inches higher, provided the user moves the recliner into one or two specific positions, it's not terrible, but that should not even factor in to a basic design flaw. What would be nice to see... Produce a microfiber option. The couch I bought was treated and has lasted well from 2006, I see no reason why the additional comfort afforded by treated microfiber could not be part of this recliners update. Photo's to indicate package size and full extension, including the "General" comfort non sleeping level. I would also give additional KUDO's to AFB delivery, very impressed and rates a 10/10. EDIT 09/24/2018 - There is one very significant flaw, just discovered, when the electric power goes out, there is no battery back up to adjust the chair, I was stranded in it for 3 hours. I would suggest a cheap power bavkup battery (as there is none in the chair) to provide enoigh time to get to a sitting position. March 3td - Due to disability, I have used this chair as a bed, since buying. Nothing significant I would change, other than affirming a small power backup and affirming that microfiber would have been a much superior experience. The chair now shows why the fake leather is not great, worn and dark areas are a wee bit annoying. Still very functional.