Paralysis Resource Guide - (Page 214) TOOLS WHEELCHAIRS The common saying has it all wrong: People are not “confined” to their wheelchairs—they are in fact liberated by their wheels. A person with paralysis can get around as quickly in a wheelchair as anyone else can walking. A wheelchair offers people access to work and shopping or any other travel outside the home. For those who are interested, a wheelchair accommodates participation in races, basketball, tennis and other sports. In some ways a wheelchair is like a bicycle: There are many designs and styles to choose from including imports, lightweights, racing models, etc. The chair is also like a pair of shoes—there are distinct styles for special purposes, such as tennis or rugged trail use. If the fit isn’t just right the user can’t get comfortable and therefore can’t achieve maximum function. Selecting the right chair, especially for a first-time wheelchair user, can be confusing. It’s always a good idea to work with an occupational therapist (OT) who has experience with various kinds of wheelchairs. Many people choose their first chair because it was the one the insurance company was willing to pay for. The second one, though, is often selected because of styling, performance or other features. Here are some basics on wheelchairs: Manual Chairs People with upper body strength typically use a manual chair—it is propelled, of course, by pushing the arms forward as the hands grab the wheel rims. A generation ago the standard chair was a chrome-plated behemoth that weighed about 50 pounds. Today’s standard chair comes in every color you can think of and is much less than half that weight. The modern chair is designed for far superior performance—they ride truer and are much easier to push than the clunkers of yesteryear. The lightweights, whether with a rigid frame or a folding frame, are also easier to transfer in and out of cars. Generally speaking, a rigid frame (one that does not fold up) transfers more of the rider’s energy into the forward motion than does a folding unit. The primary advantage of a folding chair, however, is portability; a folding unit can even fit in the overhead bin of an airplane. In recent years, chair makers have added suspension systems, 214
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