Wheelchairs
October 15th, 2007 | by admin |
Wheelchair Education 101: Which One Is Right For You?
by: Alan Jason Smith
Whether you plan on being in a wheelchair for just a short time or for the duration of your life, it is very important to pick the right one for you.
With so many wheelchairs on the market today, it can be a tough task to undertake; but you can easily purchase the right wheelchair for you by becoming knowledgeable about your choices. Before you buy your new mode of transportation, it is best to have an understanding of the different types of wheelchairs.
Manual wheelchairs are wheelchairs that need to be controlled by the person in the wheelchair, or by somebody pushing the wheelchair. There are a few different types of manual wheelchairs – lightweight or sports chairs that roll easily for those with upper body strength and are designed for every day use; standard manual wheelchairs that have the traditional cross brace frame and added support, child or youth wheelchairs that grow with a child and come in a variety of colors and styles; specialty chairs that are specifically designed for a variety of wheelchair lifestyles and needs and institutional wheelchairs that are the most affordable, but designed only for minimal wheelchair use – commonly used for transporting people in hospitals and nursing homes. They are most suitable for short-term use, for those who don’t use a wheelchair too often or for those who have upper body strength. Those who have limited movement or a weak upper body may need someone to push them, or may want to consider the electric wheelchair.
Electric wheelchairs are wheelchairs powered by a motor. They were created especially for those individuals with limited or no body mobility, or for those who use wheelchairs as their primary source of getting around. They are pricier than manual wheelchairs, but the cost is definitely a wash when considering if your wheelchair needs are substantial.
Electric wheelchairs come in a few styles – the traditional style electric wheelchair resembles a manual wheelchair with the exception of the motor, battery and controls; and the platform electric wheelchair look more like a seat placed on top of the motor encasement.
The motor is often placed below the electric wheelchair in order to minimize any noise. The electric wheelchair controls are usually to the right or left of the arm rests, and can even be repositioned based on your wheelchair needs. People who enjoy outdoor activities regularly may need to be careful in an electric wheelchair – most models are designed for indoor use and can crack or become faulty over time. But, there are some indoor/outdoor models marketed today, and may be the outdoor enthusiast’s best electric wheelchair bet.
Sports wheelchairs differ from the traditional manual wheelchair – they are very lightweight and designed to withstand the normal wear and tear that goes along with a number of sporting activities. Sports wheelchairs use lightweight metals that can withstand a beating like titanium, chrome, aluminum and steel tubing.
The base of a sports wheelchair is wider than other traditional wheelchairs in order to support different sporting activities, and the center of gravity can be adjusted for the individual using the sports wheelchair. The sports wheelchair is generally affordable, but the more custom features it contains, the more expensive it will be.
About The Author
Alan Jason Smith is the owner of http://www.unitywheelchairs.com which is a great place to find wheelchair links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.unitywheelchairs.com.
This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.
5 Responses to “Wheelchairs”
By linda davis on Oct 24, 2007 | Reply
I just had a thought about an improvement on your chair. My daughter has an MPV 5. The footrest can be raised up however, she is unable to do it while she is sittig in the chair and me, with a back problem, makes it difficult for me to reach down to raise it up for her to get out. It would be wonderful if there was somekind of mechanism attached to the footrest that would bring it up automatically for a person to be able to exit the chair without having to step on the footrest to get out. You may contact me at my place of work if you wish at 573-471-0600.
By joseph ortiz on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
Dear Sirs,
I ordered a Scooter from your Company,we were on the last part on the order which was or is awaiting the Doctor’s answer to all the question’s. Well I noticed the paperwork mentioned the color of the Scooter I am to receive is Red, I’m hoping you can help if it’s not too late, by changing the color of this Scooter to Blue ?????? Hopefully it could be done,feel free to contact me (ASAP).
Sincerely,
JOrtiz
818)731-9279
By Lindaperry on Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
Some rehabilitation and care centers are using wheelchairs as restraints. (In other words, they are keeping people in wheelchairs to keep them “stationery” on one floor or in one area of a nursing home.
People wait for hours and hours –to be transported from one floor of a nursing home to another floor –simply because they claim there is no staff to transport them. These wheelchair people are “able” to wheel themselves but they are still not permitted to go to another floor. (Some floors have recreation and some have physical therapy). By these archaic policies of making wheelchair people prisoners on each floor of the nursing homes, the administration and the owners of these nursing homes are limiting the rights of nursing home residents.
Please think twice and three times before you ever agree to go into a physical rehabilitation and care center or nursing home because you might just become a prisoner in there.
If you must go there, examine the places before you sign any contracts. Once you see many people line up in the hallways or lined up in the lobby, you know that is not the best choice for your lifetime, UNLESS you are hoping to spend the rest of your life –waiting, and waiting and waiting and then finally, waiting, for someone to wheel you to the lobby, the activities room, the recreation room, the soda machine.
Stop the waiting –by examining these facilities first—before ever going there to live or to stay there temporarily.
Please join us in our campaign to stop the use of wheelchairs “as restraints”, throughout America.
Contact us and we will put you in touch with many who are leading the way to change nursing homes and to change physical rehabilitation and care centers, for the better.
That is one link to our site. Click there and then search for any applicable articles about wheelchairs and about wheelchairs-as-restraints.
There is a nationwide campaign (began ten months ago), to have everyone stop using wheelchairs-as-restraints.
Please promote this material when you advertise your wheelchairs so that we know you are one of the good companies that are truly interested in your customers’ needs.
By brenda on Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
How do you put footrest on a rolls avacre. the model number of the footrests is md08 100336
By brenda on Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
how do you put on wheelchair footrests