State your health » Wheelchair

Buying Wheel Chair Lifts for Vans

Editor — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:45:06 +0000

For those who have to transport passengers and their wheel chairs, the best option for traveling often with the wheel chair is by purchasing a wheel chair and lift for vans. Many people go ahead and switch vehicles when it’s time to transport someone often with a wheel chair; the bottom line is that it’s just a whole lot easier to transport a wheel chair on a van than it is to mount one on the back of a car. The other big drawback to putting a wheel chair on the back of a car is that even the smallest bumps will cause the car to bottom out.

The Ease of a Van

A van makes traveling with a wheel chair a whole lot easier. From loading and unloading the wheel chair to the amount of time that it takes to do so, a van made for wheel chair lifts makes the entire process much easier than it is without this specialized vehicle. Some vans designed for this purpose load the wheel chair (with passenger inside sometimes) into the side of the van; other vans are designed to load the wheel chair into the rear of the van. This second type of wheel chair lifts for vans require that the passenger no longer be in the wheelchair when it is lifted into the van.

In either case, the process is fully automated and works at only the push of a button. All that is required is that the person driving the vehicle position the wheel chair in exactly the right spot for the van’s wheel chair lift, and then at the push of a button, the wheel chair is lifted and positioned correctly inside the van. The process couldn’t be easier, and what’s most important is that this method of transporting wheel chairs and their passengers is 100% safe for the wheel chair’s passenger and for the person driving the van as well.

Choosing a Van for its Wheel Chair Lift

The most important factor when choosing such a specialized vehicle is whether you need a van that can load a wheel chair that still has its passenger inside it, or whether a van whose wheel chair lift for wheel chairs without their passenger in the rear of the van is a possibility for you. Generally, the former are bigger vans, and more expensive than the latter type. As with many things in life, the needs of the consumer will determine the vehicle and lift chosen.

Wheel Chair Carrier; Bring Your Wheelchair Wherever You Want!

Editor — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:15:09 +0000

Previously you had to do certain modifications to your vehicle if you were to put in a wheel chair, but now with the help of modern aids and gadgets there is no more such need. If previously you had to allocate a special space for the wheel chair, now you just can leave it outside the vehicle. Still don’t get it? Well, it’s none other than the wheel chair carrier, which is becoming very famous these days.

A wheel chair carrier can be fixed to any type of vehicle, be it a car, SUV, MPV, pick up, truck, or even a minivan! The best part of this wheel chair carrier these days is that it does not function as wheel chair carrier alone, but can be used for many other purposes as well. This would include carrying your bikes, building supplies, and many other cargoes.

Convenience and Mobility

The main reason why this wheel chair carrier is becoming very famous these days is simply because it allows mobility of the wheel chair with any type of vehicle. Before this, you can only put in the wheel chair into your vehicle if it was a large pick up, van, or a very big car. But now with this wheel chair carrier, you can just simply fix it at the back of your car, regardless of your car size. They do not look odd, and fits nicely into the body of the car. This is more prominent if you have a van or SUV; it would look like more of a ‘spare tire’ at the back of your vehicle, carrying the wheel chair.

It does not stop there. Besides mobility, it is also very convenient. You can simply fix it and remove it whenever you want, and the process does not take even 5 minutes. Since the wheel chair carrier is usually made from aircraft grade aluminum, and anodized for long life, you do not have to worry about breaking them while fixing or anything like that.

A simple wheel chair carrier does not cost more than $200. This is pretty much affordable, as compared to the price of the foldable wheel chair you are going to fix on it. And for the price you are paying, you can choose from different models that the dealers will offer. This is actually a flexibility to allow buyers to consider how the wheel chair carrier is going to be fixed at the back of their vehicle, or on top. And to forget the color and looks of it too!

Wheel Chair Sports; Disability Does Not Matter!

Editor — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:30:09 +0000

Who said sports are only for people who can walk on their own? Well, it is not, in fact. For wheel chair sports is one of the most famous modern day sports. Wheel chair sports are specifically for those who are disabled physically, and those who are physically affected due to intellectual disability. Most of the time, the sports are actually modified from existing sports of non-disabled ones, to meet the needs of the wheel chair bound.

Wheel chair sports, sometimes also known as adapted sports, due to the nature of the adaptation from normal sports, are not something so new to the modern sports world. It had been in spotlight for the past 30 years at least. If the normal people have their Olympics, the wheel chair bound have their Paralympics, which comprises of all kinds of sports for the disabled people at international level, which includes wheel chair sports.

As times have changed, more and more different types of wheel chair sports are introduced. And most of the newer ones are not adapted ones, and are sports that are originally created for the wheel chair bound people.

Common Sports and the Wheel Chair

Some of the most common wheel chair sports would be table tennis, tennis, badminton, basketball, and many more. At international levels, these games are being held at the Paralympics for everyone from any country in the world. Governed by the International Paralympics Committee and many other international sport organizations, they work the same way as the Olympics work. The sport competitions are aired live in many countries around the world, especially in the participating countries.

These days, even bowling, hockey, football, baseball are pretty famous for wheel chair sports. However these vigorous sports can not be played by manual wheel chairs, but only with electric wheel chairs. And that is why most of the names of the wheel chair sports have the term ‘electric wheel chair’ before the name, for example ‘electric wheel chair baseball’ and so on. It is a great burden for manual wheel chair persons to play these games, especially when it involves much running around.

The electric wheel chair here is very different from the common electric wheel chair we see in daily life. They are specially modified to travel at higher speeds up to 15mph or even more. Since movement is a very important part of wheel chair sports, the wheel chair needs to be very flexible as well, as regards to turning left and right, moving back and forth, instantly as the instruction is given.

Wheelchair: Transporting Physically Disabled Persons

Editor — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:00:06 +0000

A wheeled mobility device that transports the user through manual or automatic propulsion is called a wheelchair. The function of the wheelchair is to help people that have difficulty in walking for reasons such as illness, injury or other disability, to transport them. The first recorded instance of the wheelchair took place in England in the 1670s and, it became known to Europeans during the German Renaissance.

Basic Standards Form The Basis Of All Other Variations

The basic and standard wheelchair has a seat as well as a back and two small front wheels and, two large wheels as well as a footrest. This basic design has many variations and they may be customized to suit individual preferences and needs. One can also add accessories to the device and, there are many to choose from such as the anti-tip bar or wheels, safety belts, adjustable backrests and, much more. In addition, there have also been many experiments made with the type of wheels to be used including the omniwheel and the mecanum wheel that provide directional options.

There are manual as well as power wheelchairs and, the manual has three different types – self-propelled, attendant-propelled as well as wheelbase. In addition, the manual version is easily stored or placed in any vehicle. The power version also comes in three models which are rear, center as well as four wheel front driven and front driven. Each has its own characteristics and, the power driven wheelchair also can be categorized according to seat type.

For disabled sportspersons, there are the streamlined sport wheelchairs that require having speed as well as agility such as are used for basketball, rugby, and tennis and also racing. They may not be foldable as they require strength in frame and, may often have pronounced angle for the wheels and, be manufactured using composite and lightweight materials.

Of late, there have been technological advances in the wheelchair of today and, gyroscopic technology enables the device to be better balanced as well as run on only two wheels, depending on the surface and, it can raise the user to a near-standing position. However, most advances tend to be in the cushion materials that are used and, in this regard; one can mention memory foam as well as gel. There are also suspension-based chairs. Also, the wheelchair needs to be able to provide functionality in buildings comprising of many floors that require climbing up stairs. However, to facilitate use of wheelchairs in all environments, there is plenty of innovation being incorporated and, buildings may now have elevators as well constructing low floor trams and buses to make it easy on people with such disabilities.

Dogs In Wheel Chairs: How And Why?

Editor — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:15:03 +0000

For many years throughout history, people with leg problems or other trouble walking have been placed in wheel chairs that restore the mobility they had before their problems began. As our civilization has grown, we have now reached a point where we have the technology and the environmental responsibility to help other creatures in this way, besides only humans. Especially dogs have taken a place in our hearts as “man’s best friend,” so it is no wonder that we have now developed dog wheel chairs to help out our canine friends.

How It Works

A dog wheel chair is not really a chair, as we would think of for a person. Instead, it is an apparatus that straps onto a dog and supports its injured or missing limbs with wheels. In this way the dog is able to use its remaining limbs to propel itself along, and roll on the wheels. This standard type of dog wheel chair is reliant on the dog still having some working legs. Dogs with all four legs missing or unusable may be helped by owner-operated carts or through some other customized setup.

Our Feelings Toward Dogs In Wheel Chairs

Most people have some sort of soft spot in their hearts for dogs, and love to stop and pet a dog that they may see in the park or on the sidewalk. Especially a dog in a wheel chair appears sympathetic to us. Unlike humans, we have no mental obstacles and rules of courtesy that make us question how we can talk to and treat a dog in a wheel chair. We are able to pet it and give it a little bit of extra attention due to its misfortune.

A Dog’s Ability To Live A Normal Life, Even In A Dog Wheel Chair

A dog confined to a dog wheel chair can actually still live quite a normal life. Dogs do not have as complicated a role in society as people do. They are not expected to do as many things or go as many places. For this reason, a dog wheel chair can fit quite easily into their relatively simple lifestyle. They will not have as much mental difficulty adjusting to their dog wheel chair as would a human. Sooner than you think, a dog in a wheel chair will be acting as if everything is completely normal.

A Pet Wheel Chair Dramatically Improves your Dog’s Quality of Life

Editor — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:30:10 +0000

When you bring a dog into your home, moral ethics dictate that you assume total responsibility for the dog. Good food, clean water, a warm place to sleep, the ability to go outside, and the best medical care you can reasonably afford. Dogs, like people, suffer from occasional illness and injury. If tragedy strikes your beloved canine, a pet wheel chair can give an otherwise healthy dog many more years of companionship with your family.

Some breeds of dogs are susceptible to certain kinds of injuries. Long-backed dogs such as Dachshunds, Bassett Hounds, and Cocker Spaniels are genetically prone to degenerative disk disease – “DDD” some, the “Dreaded Dachshund Disease” to others since Dachshunds are very likely to develop this condition unless strict precautions by the owner are taken such as not allowing the Doxie to jump off furniture.

My Dachshund has DDD. How Can a Pet Wheel Chair Help?

DDD occurs with the slow degeneration of one or more disks in a dog’s back. When these discs rupture due to day-to-day activity or through physical trauma of some sort, the dog will most likely experience paralysis directly below the ruptured disks. Thus, your Dachshund or other long-backed dog will be completely paralyzed from the neck down, or the shoulders down. He will be unable to walk, stand, or bear weight on his hind legs. The first thought that may come into your mind might be acquiring a pet wheel chair for your stricken dog; however, sudden paralysis due to DDD is a medical emergency; every moment you wait to take your dog to a veterinarian limits the chance of the dog’s recovery. Depending upon the severity of the paralysis, your vet may recommend either total confinement to a crate with massive doses of steroids to relieve the inflammation, or else will recommend that your dog have immediate surgery to clear and fuse the ruptured disks. In either case, the chances of your dog walking normally again are not good.

If surgery and/or steroids fail to bring function back to your Dachshund, your vet will advise you of two choices: (1) humane euthanasia if your dog is in serious pain with no quality of life in the future or, (2) acquiring a pet wheel chair that will let your otherwise healthy and normal dog live a long and happy life. According to the Illustrated Veterinary Guide by Chris Pinney, DVM, a pet wheel chair is not appropriate for every dog. Sometimes dogs are unwilling to learn to manipulate and use the chair or may be frightened by it. However, for dogs that are insistent in re-gaining mobility, these chairs return them to a vital life.

A pet wheel chair consists of a harness that fastens securely around the dog’s chest and back, with two openings in the rear for the dog’s hind legs. Two sturdy wheels in the back allow the dog to pull the chair with his front legs. Once he gets the hang of his pet wheel chair, your paralyzed dog will be able to go just about anywhere – inside, outside – he’ll be wheeling around like he was shot out of a cannon! He will be able to go outside on his regular schedule to urinate and defecate, accompany you on car trips, sleep comfortably when he’s out of the chair; the only things that will bring him to a halt are stairs and sharp corners where his pet wheel chair might be stuck on the corner. Your dog will learn that he can even lie down in his chair, snoozing away with his paralyzed back legs still firmly ensconced in the chair!

Pet wheel chairs are, as yet, available only for dogs. High-quality chairs are made by hand, custom-fit to match your dog’s height, weight, and leg length. They are well cushioned with leather straps and leg holes to avoid chaffing. Do not leave your dog in the chair “24/7.” Put him in his comfortable crate to sleep and just rest for a while. Better still, let him spend some time on your lap!

On the average, it costs around $40 to humanely euthanize a dog. If your vet tells you that even with surgery and steroids, your dog is suffering, you have a difficult choice to make on behalf of your canine companion. If you choose a pet wheel chair for your paralyzed dog, you can expect to pay around $300 for the apparatus. The best-seller is Canine Carts located in Billings, Montana. This is a very high quality, durable, custom-designed and comfortable chair that will last probably for the lifetime of your dog. Many other companies can be found on the Internet; just make sure they guarantee and warranty the chair.

Since pet wheel chairs provide total immobility of a paralyzed dog’s legs, it is entirely possible that after surgery and a course of steroids, you may look up one day and find your dog standing on all four feet, wagging his tail as if saying, “Well, I’m sure glad that’s over with!”

Playing Wheel Chair Tennis

Editor — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:00:01 +0000

There are many reasons that a person might end up in a wheel chair. If you are in a wheel chair, it might be because of temporary reasons. Or it might be that you are permanently in your wheel chair due to illness or injury. No matter how hard it might be to be in a wheel chair, and no matter how disheartening it might seem, people in wheel chairs are doing and accomplishing more things that ever before. Something that is becoming quite common is wheel chair tennis, and other sports for people in wheel chairs.

How Does It Work?

The game of wheel chair tennis works in much the same way that regular tennis works. A person is on either side of the net, and they take turns hitting a tennis ball back and forth. Of course, instead of running to hit the ball with the racket, a person is instead in a wheel chair and has to roll to where they can hit the ball.

The sport of wheel chair tennis is something that many people who are in wheel chairs try to master and try to play. There are many sports that are currently being played by people in wheel chairs. wheel chair tennis is only the beginning of it.

People who play wheel chair sports maintain that it is just as easy for people in wheel chairs to play things like tennis than it is for people who are not in wheel chairs. The hardest part, most of them claim, is figuring out how to do the things that they once learned to do on their feet, and instead do them in the chairs.

When it comes to wheel chair tennis, and to other wheel chair sports, there are several differences in equipment. First of all, there are certain wheel chairs that are made specially for people who are doing sports. These chairs are easy for them to handle and are much easier to maneuver than regular wheel chairs. It is also sometimes necessary to buy different sports equipment for people who are playing wheel chair tennis, because when you are playing in the chair it might be harder for you to handle a regular piece of equipment.

If you are interested in wheel chair tennis you should check with your local place that deals with people with disabilities. They will know where the different places are that people practice and participate in various wheel chair sports.

Wheel Chair Accessible Van; No More Leaving Your Beloved Ones Behind

Editor — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 04:45:08 +0000

If you had to leave your beloved ones behind simply because your car or van can not fit them and their wheel chair, now there is no more place for such worry. Just get yourself a wheel chair accessible van, and there goes the problem! If you are wondering what kind of vehicle this wheel chair accessible van is, do not think further, because it is just a normal van with some modifications made.

A wheel chair accessible van is a van which allows a person who is in a wheel chair to be transported. This means that you can bring in the whole wheel chair with the person sitting in it straight up to the van. Unlike before where the person needs to get out of the chair and the wheel chair needs to be folded, there is no more such thing.

What is So Special About it?

Usually a typical wheel chair accessible van is where the floor or the base of the van is lowered to the appropriate height easily accessible to the wheel chair. In addition to this, there is usually a ramp attached to the van, so that the wheel chair can be straightaway rolled up into the van, like those specially built pavement slopes which allows wheel chairs to be rolled up instead of going up the stairs.

Some modern wheel chair accessible vans are even better in that case. They come with a powered lift, which can pick up the whole wheel chair up from the lower ground to the same level as the van, and then you can just simply push the wheel chair into the van. With so much technology, it is not surprising if a wheel chair accessible van is $2000 more than the traditional van, which does not even have a special space for the wheel chair inside.

But the best part is that such vans come with financial aid as well, to the fact that it is for the use of a handicapped person. Loans are given usually, and for an individual with a good credit record, certain money lenders are willing to finance up 6 to 10 years on a late model wheel chair accessible van.

The most common wheel chair accessible vans are Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, Ford Windstar, Chevy Uplander, Toyota Sienna, and many more. To come up with this wheel chair accessible van, the original van designs go through various intense modification process, which at the same time the manufacturer has to make sure it does not turn up as something not user-friendly.

Making Life Easier with a Wheel Chair Lift or Ramp

Editor — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:30:19 +0000

Those who have people in their lives who use wheel chairs either all of the time or even a large portion of the time know how much energy it can take to load and unload a wheel chair everywhere that one goes. Not only does it take physical energy to lift, getting a wheel chair in and out of a vehicle costs a lot of mental energy. Passengers who are confined to wheel chairs all of the time use vans that have special inside features to hold the wheel chair fast during traveling, but other vehicles do not have such specialized features.

Features Needed

Of course, not all features of these special vans are necessary. There’s always a fine line of difference between what is necessary and what is just plain more convenient. A wheel chair lift or ramp is a necessity for some people and a luxury for others. If the person who travels with a wheel chair has a lift/ramp on their car, getting in and out of the car can become a quick and easy process. Those who travel with a wheel chair, and lifts or ramps are unavailable, know just how aggravating travel can be.

Some people even report basing their decision to go out or not on the ease of traveling with a wheel chair. Lifts and ramps help people get out of the house and go wherever it is that they need to go by making the traveling process less difficult and wholly more enjoyable. For those people across America who don’t go out all the times that they need or want to because it’s too difficult to get one of their companions and their gear into the car will want to check out wheel chair lifts and ramps for their vehicles.

The Features

What a wheel chair lift or ramp can do is take all of the manual labor out of loading wheel chairs and passengers into the car. Traditionally, lifts go on the back of the car or attach to a van. Ramps can only be used on a van. A ramp is usually used to get a wheel chair up into the rear of a handicap-accessible van. A lift is usually used for sporadic use of electric wheel chair scooters, instead of wheel chair-bound people.

Whichever device sounds more appropriate for each situation should be researched and tried out before purchase as wheel chair lifts and ramps can have quite hefty price tags.

Wheel Chair Rental Saves On Expenses

Editor — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:45:00 +0000

Occasionally there is a short-term need for a wheel chair and they can be costly to purchase, even one that is used. This is when the option of wheel chair rental can come in handy. Being able to rent a wheel chair for a short time, many times the cost of which is covered by insurance, can help when recovering from an accident or illness.

Another advantage of wheel chair rental is that if something goes wrong with the unit, it will be replaced usually free of charge with a working model. Many medical equipment companies understand the needs of those confined to a wheel chair and their units are typically in excellent working order. For short-term use, or even foe those who may require one for an extended period, a wheel chair rental company can meet your needs.

It would be a rare occasion when a wheel chair rental would not be received in clean, working order and usually a simple phone call will get it replaced immediately, but most reputable equipment companies will not let that happen.

Keep Track Of Rates And Accessories

Many times a person using a wheel chair rental can also obtain the use of accessories such as carrying totes or arms totes and some companies will supply them free of charge as a customer perk. Others, however may charge an additional fee for their use, most likely not covered by insurance so you will want to check this out before the wheel chair rental company adds that charge to your bill.

Another benefit of wheel chair rental is there is usually no charge for pick up or delivery. You call and arrange for its delivery and at the end of the rental period, they will return and pick it up. You would also have the option to extend the wheel chair rental period if needed.

There are many types of wheel chair rental units available with manual types as well as the powered wheel chairs, and some companies are willing to rent you a power wheel chair for you to try in hopes that you will decide to buy one. Being able to use a power chair, even on a temporary basis, can help the user see the benefits of not depending on the manual type for mobility.

This would also allow the user to see how they maneuver around their house and in their travels without the expense of purchase and give them a longer tryout session than typically available from retailers.

Those Hard-to-Find Wheel Chair Parts!

Editor — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:30:05 +0000

Wheel chairs, and their parts, are a very expensive health item; perhaps not your standard wheel chair, but a motorized wheel chair/scooter is a very expensive and complicated piece of machinery. Though it is necessary for many people to have a perfectly functioning wheel chair; finding the parts is not always an easy task! Wheel chair parts can look very small and insignificant, but actually be completely vital to the proper functioning of the wheel chair. Especially where safety is concerned, a wheel chair missing a part, even if it still seems to be functioning properly, should always be investigated until the missing part has been properly replaced.

The Safety Question

Wheel chairs may seem to have a lot of small and insignificant parts, but every part is there for a reason. Similar to a car, sometimes a small part comes off a wheel or a joint where parts of the wheel chair come together; these small parts are sometimes more important than other times, but most people don’t know which ones are important and which ones are not. Sometimes an auto mechanic doesn’t even know which parts of a car do what, and wheel chair parts are similar. What this means is that one should never assume that a part that has come loose and fallen off isn’t important simply because the wheel chair still seems to be working just fine. That doesn’t mean that it’s not going to collapse in a couple of days.

Finding all those small replacement parts is anything but easy, and when it comes to parts for electric wheel chair scooters, the question only becomes more complicated. However, the absence of these small parts can have big ramifications on the functioning of electronic wheel chairs.

Find the Parts You Need

When a piece comes off a wheel chair, whether an electric one or not, the part should be replaced before the wheel chair is used again. If the medical supplier from whom the wheel chair was bought in the first place can not replace the wheel chair part, the supplier should be able to tell where a replacement part can be purchased. If this proves to be an impossible request, the internet is now the best back-up source. When investigating sources online for wheel chair parts, be sure to check that they’re reputable companies and parts; just as it’s vital that the part be replaced, it’s also vital that the part be replaced with a certified, safe replacement part.

Wheel Chair Cushions Make The Ride A Little Easier

Editor — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:27:11 +0000

Whether you are confined to a wheel chair temporarily due to a minor injury or for a longer time due to something a little more permanent, you’ve undoubtedly already been told not to actually think of it as confinement. It may be an unfortunate situation, but it is a fact of life, and you may as well try to make the best of it. Sitting in a wheel chair doesn’t have to be a miserable and self-pitying experience. Throughout the world, some of the happiest and best-natured people you will ever find are people who are in wheel chairs, because their situation has forced them to learn to see the good in life and enjoy it whenever they can.

Personalizing Your Wheel Chair Can Brighten Your Life

As an example of finding the best in everything, you can see your new wheel chair as a way to express yourself. You can make it unique to you with things like colors, wheel chair cushions, bumper stickers, anything. The possibilities are endless. Many wheel chair users have really enjoyed the process of choosing a wheel chair that is their favorite color, for example, and is designed in a way that they feel will tell the world a little something about them. But of the things listed, the wheel chair cushion might be the most important. More than just for looks, a wheel chair cushion is practically essential for making a comfortable ride. Again, there are a lot of different choices if you decide to get a wheel chair cushion though. While many wheel chairs have cushions built in to them nowadays, you will probably want to get an even bigger and more comfortable one to place in the seat as well.

Other Ideas For Cushioning Your Wheel Chair

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the back and the actual seat are the only parts of a wheel chair that would benefit from a little extra cushioning. You can cushion a wheel chair in almost any way, such as the panels that the back of your legs will rest against. You could also consider the foot rests and even the handles if your chair is one that will often be pushed by another person. Why shouldn’t you make your wheel chair as cushioned and comfortable as possible, considering how much time you’ll be spending with it?

Wheel Chair Exercise: NOT a Contradiction in Terms

Editor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:06 +0000

Whatever the reason for your confinement to a wheel chair – temporary or permanent – does not mean that you have to live a life of immobility and boredom. In fact, your physician will most likely recommend that in order for your body not to atrophy, you should get as much exercise as your body will tolerate. Thus, wheel chair exercise is a vital and popular way to enjoy your life to the fullest!

A great many wheel chair bound people think of their illness or injury as a characteristic rather than a handicap. Being in a wheel chair is just a circumstance, nothing more, much like the color or their eyes or that annoying bald spot. Thus, they view wheel chair exercise is a way of life, not a “treatment.”

How Can I Get Involved in Wheel Chair Exercise?

The possibilities for wheel chair exercise for men, women and children are limited only by your imagination, desire and the over-all condition of your body. Among men, wheel chair exercise can be a tough workout! Basketball leagues, handball leagues, rowing competitions, bowling leagues, even baseball, volleyball and ice hockey leagues are common. Yes, the rules are not quite the same in these sports as they are for the able-bodied. However, with a few modifications to the rules, wheel chair exercise of this type encourages body health as well as essential emotional self-esteem. Do you find it difficult to toss a volleyball plunging back over the net? Try it from a wheel chair, and learn what “difficult” really is!

For women and children, wheel chair exercise is just as important, fun and confidence building. Kids seem to really enjoy using manual chairs for races and obstacle courses in specially designed gym facilities. For kids, trying is more important than winning. The courage to give their personal best makes a lasting impression on wheel chair bound kids. Women enjoy many of the same wheel chair exercises as men, but since they lack the upper body strength of men, their sports are just a little less strenuous. A perfect exercise for women and children is badminton; it is not as strenuous as volleyball but still gives a tremendous upper-body workout.

Swimming, for all genders and ages, is a highly recommended wheel chair exercise. Many chairs are lightweight and submersible in specially constructed pools, allowing the swimmers to propel themselves with their arms and upper body. Physicians and physical therapists prefer swimming because of the body’s natural buoyancy in water, thus making self-propulsion easier. With this type of exercise, all swimmers should wear protective floatation devices and a lifeguard must be present who has experience with disabled swimmers.

Finally, bodybuilding is a great type of wheel chair exercise. Weight lifting, curls, exercises for abdominal muscles are not only fun, but also they provide an excellent cardiovascular workout. For those who prefer a home workout, there are a great many wheel chair exercise videos available on the Internet and at fitness centers that offer services to physically challenged patrons. In fact, many fitness centers today employ physical therapists who work exclusively with anyone with a disability. More than ever, fitness for everyone is available.

Using a Wheel Chair Scooter

Editor — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:00:01 +0000

We live in a great society, in which there is plenty of room for everyone, and plenty of chances for everyone to get around in the best ways that they can. There are lots of ways for you to be mobile in this world, even if you are relying on things other than your own two legs.

Uses of a Scooter

There are many things that you can use in order to be more mobile, and one of the most popular is a wheel chair scooter. This is simply something that you can sit in, which will move you around. It is like a wheel chair, but it is more of a apparatus that you ride on. Usually, there will be steering wheels for it, and places to put your feet. It is more like riding on a scooter than riding on a wheel chair.

The most common type of wheel chair scooter is one that is found for people to use for free while they are shopping. Often times stores know that it is difficult for some people to stand and walk around a store, so they offer some wheel chair scooters for their patrons to use. You can sit on this scooter and drive it around the store, and many times there is a large basket at the front for you to put your purchases in.

Even though it has been used for a long time in different stores, it is becoming more common to see people who have a wheel chair scooter of their own at their homes. This helps people to be more mobile than they are able to be. If they have aw wheel chair scooter that they can use in their homes, they can also use this outside of their homes. They can get out, go down the block, and even go somewhere that is close, all on their wheel chair scooter.

In reality, a wheel chair scooter is a great way for people to regain their mobility. If you or someone you know isn’t able to be as mobile as they have been in the past, you might want to consider a wheel chair scooter for them or for yourself. Regaining mobility is something that most people list as one of the most important ways that they can get better from an illness or from injury, and that they can get on with their lives and truly feel like they are living again.

A Wheelchair Lift Used In The Transportation Of Wheelchairs

Editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:30:03 +0000

Wheelchair lifts can be used to transport wheelchairs and, automobiles that are equipped with automatic lifts are most useful since they eliminate uncomfortable chair transfers as well as removes difficulties of loading as well as unloading a wheelchair. There are many types of wheelchair lifts such as platform and rotary wheelchair lifts. Platform wheelchair lifts are solid as well as folding and, can be further categorized as automatic and semi-automatic. The automatic lift will fold as well as unfold and also lower and rise through the operation of a single switch, while semi-automatics require manual operations.

The rotary wheelchair lifts are also known as swing lifts and, allow the wheelchair to be moved through swinging it inside, outside as well as up-and-down and, are used in vans and minivans. They may have electric or hydraulic operations and, one may select the type based on weather conditions.

Reliable Access To Stages As Well As Platforms

The wheelchair lift ought to be able to provide reliable access to stages as well as platforms and, should also be quiet, safe, attractive as well as durable and easy to use. A good wheelchair lift should be ADA compliant and, should not require a ramp or machine tower. In addition, it should provide the user with quality, performance, durability as well as unmatched portable lifting abilities. Being portable should not mean being fixed lifts that have been modified with some type of undercarriage but, should be specially designed to be portable.

A good wheelchair lift should also not need to have a machine tower, which are not only pretty big but, also obstruct the line of sight and attracts unnecessary attention. There should be safety devices designed to accommodate the lift’s portability and, include a safety skirting to enclose the underside of the lift as well as a gatelock to shut off power, if a short circuit were to occur. In addition, there should be a setup system that will only let the wheels operate when they are in the proper storage position. A lifetime warranty would also be welcome.

Choosing the wheelchair lift may depend on whether one needs to transfer from a wheelchair or scooter to a vehicle and, also whether the user needs to stay in the wheelchair while traveling. One may also need to check make, model as well as compatibility with the automobile one owns and, also ascertain whether the wheelchair is compatible with the lift. Also, one can check whether any modifications are required and, whether any special options are needed.

Funding the wheelchair lift is different for different individuals and in this respect; the wheelchair dealer may be able to provide more assistance. For veterans, the Veteran Administration might have programs to cover all or most of the expenses and it depends on the disability the person has. Also, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Division of Developmental Services may be able to help disabled persons, in case they are eligible. Insurance as well as workman’s compensation policies also include coverage for this kind of disability.

Wheelchair Racing Made A Possible With The Right Wheelchair

Editor — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:30:02 +0000

Wheelchairs are for some the only way to provide the freedom of doing things that others usually take for granted and/or never give a second thought in their daily hectic routines and that is being able to get around by yourself. However, wheelchairs have come a long way from providing basic freedom of getting around to actually making it possible to attend many activities of choice such as sports.

The Right Wheelchair For The Activity

Wheelchair racing was one of the first sport activities that was performed in a wheelchair and that proved that those who are determined to achieve their goal will do so eventually if they put their mind and strength to it. Wheelchair racing is a very popular activity today and the competitions have national and international recognition as well.

Wheelchair racing however requires special type of wheelchairs in order to provide two main things and that is stability through strong tires and speed. Wheelchair racing is usually done with manual wheelchairs and not electric so, the speed of the wheelchair is basically in the arms or the person who is maneuvering it however, it still requires the ability to be able to catch the speed without any complications or technical disturbances.

What Do You Need To Enter A Wheelchair Racing

The determination to win and enjoy yourself while doing it; wheelchair racing does require practice and training even if will power and determination are the key factors to driving someone into such a competition and is harder then running competitions. The practice is mostly required to train your arms is order to maneuver the wheelchair in what will be difficult circumstances while maintaining the best speed without loosing the grip of the wheels or hurting yourself in the process.

Other Sports Conducted In Wheelchairs

There are a large variety of sports conducted in wheelchairs today because those who use them want and must have the possibility to enjoy any and every sport practiced. Everyone in a wheelchair should practice what his or her heart desires and health permits.

There are custom made wheelchairs available today to match every requirement and need in order to ensure that all those who need to use a wheelchair is provided with all the possibilities of others that don’t have to use them in order to be able to enjoy life in all its glory as well as any activities they like and can.

The Growing Popularity Of Wheel Chair Basketball

Editor — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:45:04 +0000

The History Of Wheel Chair Basketball

The exact origination of wheel chair basketball or wheel chair sports in general is an issue not completely agreed upon. In the opinion of many people though, it began with the Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Games in 1946. Stroke Mandeville was a hospital that devised an Olympics-like competition for twenty-six of its disabled patients. Basketball was added in 1956. A team called the Pan Am Jets was the first tournament winner of wheel chair basketball. In 1973 the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation or IWBF was spun off from the International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation. This is the body that still governs the sport today.

Differences In The Rules Of Wheel Chair Basketball And Conventional Basketball

Many of the rules by which wheel chair basketball is played are standardized and similar to rules of conventional basketball like the NBA. For example, standard court markings and a ten-foot goal are commonly used. Some notable differences include the concept of “traveling.” In normal basketball, traveling is the act of moving both feet while holding or not dribbling the basketball. This is closely related to the error known as double-dribbling, which occurs when a player stops dribbling, holds the ball and then dribbles again. In wheel chair basketball, these rules are modified slightly to account for the wheel chairs

Player Classifications In Wheel Chair Basketball

Before any player competes in a regulated game of wheel chair basketball, they are classified with a number system between 1 and 5, based on the severity of their handicapped. A player who is almost completely paralyzed would be classified as a 1.0. This is the most handicapped person who still has the minimum amount of mobility required to participate in the sport. On the other end of the spectrum, a person with very mild paralysis would be a 4.5, and an able-bodied, non-paralyzed person would be a 5.0. It is a testament to the growing popularity of wheel chair basketball that non-paralyzed persons are now allowed to play, simply for the fun of it. This numeric classification system is used to balance the teams and ensure fairness.

Who Can Play?

The most important thing to remember about the sport is that, IWBF or not, anyone can play. Nowadays you don’t even have to be wheel chair bound! But if you are a person in a wheel chair, consider wheel chair basketball as a great way to get exercise, have fun and make the best of your situation.

Portable Wheel Chairs Make Your Life Easier

Editor — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Wheel chairs can be cumbersome, heavy, and difficult to maneuver. This is especially true of electric chairs and the new “scooters.” If you are person who enjoys getting out and about, especially in places where “normal” wheel chairs have disadvantages, a portable wheel chair is the answer to your problem! With this type of chair, locations previously unavailable to the wheel chair bound person have opened up. Many people who use portable wheel chairs are quite independent because they have been given the chance they need to see and do things- doors that were previously closed to them are now wide open!

Realistically, it’s not possible to rock climb in a portable wheel chair. Of course, there are some limitations. However, with a lightweight but sturdy portable wheel chair a handicapped person can hoist both him/herself into a specially designed automobile and go wherever they wish. Getting the folding portable chair out of the car and climbing down into it is just as easy as getting into the car. This type of independence and personal mobility is extremely important to a wheel chair bound person.

What to Expect in a Portable Wheel Chair

First, your portable wheel chair needs to be lightweight enough for easy maneuvering, but sturdy and durable enough to hold your weight and take you where you need to go. One excellent way to see a portable wheel chair in action is to make a visit to any federally funded Native American hospital or pharmacy; folding portable wheel chairs are the norm among Native Americans. You will also see them at Veteran’s Hospitals and clinics. Watch how easily the user maneuvers them, and how simple they are to load into cars, vans, and pickup trucks. You will soon become convinced!

To assist in independent living, portable wheel chairs can be easily rolled into a shower stall; an impossible feat for electric wheel chairs. Since these chairs are so easily folded and tucked into a vehicle, there are portable wheel chairs made for going to the beach! They are not bogged down in sand or surf as a manual or electric chair would. To give you an idea of how sturdy a portable chair is, some models can effectively hold obese users weighing up to 650 pounds. “Portable” does not mean “delicate.” At home, a portable chair is much easier to use when getting into and out of bed, where a manual or electric chair may be harder to position because of their size and weight. Once out of bed, the user can easily transfer to his/her “everyday” chair.

A best-seller is the Blue Invacare Companion Portable Wheel Chair. The price of this chair depends upon your needs, your size, and what you plan to do with the chair. You can find this company on the Internet to determine what you need and what you can afford to pay. Among the new “scooter” portable power chairs, the Jazzy 1113 ATS is said to be the “ultimate” power chair. If you buy your chair locally, be sure to try it out first. If you buy your chair from the Internet, be sure the company has a return, full-refund policy if the chair fails to meet your needs or perform as described.

Motorized Wheel Chair Can Aid Independence

Editor — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:46:19 +0000

Give someone the gift of freedom and mobility with a motorized wheel chair, allowing him or her the movement they require while confined to a wheel chair. With a motorized wheel chair their personal feeling of independence can be enhanced and their attitude given an optimistic boost.

Whether it is just one for helping to get around the house or one strictly for use outside the home, a motorized wheel chair can provide the help needed for a person to gain movement similar to the previous freedom they enjoyed. Not having to depend on others to get from one point to another can make a huge difference for someone with a handicap requiring a motorized wheel chair.

Numerous sizes are available with various options for mobility, but a tight turning radius is required on any motorized wheel chair you plan to use indoors. To be able to get around corners and through doorways, maneuverability is extremely important. It should also have enough power to climb ramps for entry into the house as well as those on street corners when crossing at intersections.

Joystick Controls Make It Easier

There are different methods of steering a motorized wheel chair but the ones using a single joystick control are the easiest, as they will go in the direction dictated by the single stick controller. Some of them have power controls to move forward and in reverse and steering depends on handlebars. While this type of motorized wheel chair is generally less expensive, they are also more difficult to maneuver in tight spots.

There are a few of the older models that resemble a traditional wheel chair with an electric motor attached to them, similar to the first models of a motorized wheel chair to be introduced, that can be difficult for a person to handle. Whatever type being used, they should also be able to be powered by hand in the event of battery failure so as not to leave the person stranded.

They should also be designed to prevent what is called rollback in the even the battery quits while going up or down a small ramp. The motorized wheel chair should be designed so that it will not become freewheeling and roll down the ramp on its own. A separate braking system should also be available in the event of power loss. Most will have some sort of safety system to prevent this from happening, but you will want to insure it is in working condition.

Guide To Choosing The Right Child Wheelchair

Editor — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:49:18 +0000

Wheelchairs come in many different shapes and sizes depending on one’s specific needs. However, choosing a child wheelchair can be tricky as there are many things you need to take in consideration; here are a few tips, which I hope will be of assistance when choosing a child wheelchair in the future.

Specific Needs Of The Child

The first thing to consider when looking of a child wheelchair is the specific needs of the child for instance his or her health state will make a huge difference as there are many wheelchairs that will help with obtaining an angle or position that your child may require for a particular activity or freedom of movement.

There are electric wheelchairs that are very sophisticated and can adjust the height, position and many other features, which your child can use in order to perform any activity of choice such as, writing or playing a favorite game. Other power wheelchairs come with a full remote control or joystick attached the wheelchairs hand stand, which will give your child full control of the wheelchair at all times.

Be Cautious When Purchasing A Powerful Child Wheelchair

All parents want to provide their child with the best available products on the market especially when that product is a necessity, such as a child wheelchair and most parents will choose one that is most versatile and competent to perform almost any type of activity even if they are extremely expensive. However, you may also want to keep in mind the fact the your child may also get hurt is the wheelchair is too powerful for instance if is catches too high a speed and he or she cannot stop it in time when playing outdoors, it can turn fatal.

Adjustable child wheelchairs would be the right investment because you will be able to adjust it as the time goes by and your child grows to a wheelchair that has more features and speed.

Purchasing A Child Wheelchair

Modern, sophisticated wheelchairs are expensive whether they are for children or adults and while some will qualify for reductions and even free wheelchairs some will have to pay the full cost. There is financing available for those parents who cannot afford a child wheelchair and yet desire to give their child the best available product on the market in order to offer him or her as normal a childhood and life as possible under the circumstances.

Contact a wheelchair manufactures or retailer and they will be more then happy to assist and walk you through any and all the formalities in order to get your child wheelchair as soon as possible.