There is no doubt that millions of people that are disabled require the use of a wheelchair to move about. There are many wheelchairs that address the special needs of such invalids, but an electric wheelchair is a variant of the manual wheelchair that does not require the user to exert strength in order to stay mobile. They are easy in their operations and enable users to go about their normal daily routines without the need to exert any physical strength.
Many Advantages
Electric wheelchairs provide a number of advantages to users such as the ability to perform their work as well as achieve a greater degree of independence, and stay active. They are best used by people that have some form of disability, or those whose limb movement is restricted. It can also be of great help for people who feel pain or strain when they stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.
Of course, electric wheelchairs are great in improving the mobility of the user, but there are more considerations to be taken into account when choosing yours. The design should be right for your particular needs, and the electric wheelchair should provide as great a degree of comfort as possible as they are a means of expressing a new life for the user. Most electric wheelchairs are considered as being a great convenience by others in close proximity of the user such as family and friends since they are instrumental in instilling a greater sense of confidence as far as the patient’s health is concerned.
Speed
You can even move about at a greater speed when you use an electric wheelchair as compared with manual wheelchairs, and thus are useful for participation in sports as well. There are many disabled people that have used electric wheelchairs in international sports and been successful as well. In fact, there are specially designed electric wheelchairs that address certain sports such as basketball and tennis, and are specially geared for use by basketball players and tennis players.
You can choose electric wheelchair sizes, weights, mechanisms as well as colors to suit your particular instance, and there are also pediatric wheelchairs for the young ones. It is a good idea to get a physician to suggest which electric wheelchair is best for your particular needs before you go out and buy one. If you so desire, you can even get one customized to meet your own specifications as this may be warranted in case of severe disability.
The paralytic user can even get one that has special and customized gadgets to help him or her. In any case, electric wheelchairs are great facilitators for the physically challenged that help them overcome their disabilities.
If a Wheelchair Is Owned
If a person who owns a wheelchair no longer has need for it, they may donate the wheelchair to one of many organizations which distribute wheelchairs to the needy. Many of these organizations perform the service of matching a donated wheelchair to its recipient and vise versa. Some organizations however require the recipient to pay the shipping costs if applicable.
If a Wheelchair Is Needed
Wheelchair donations are available from many local and national organizations; a person in need of a wheelchair would contact these organizations either by phone or email and give their basic measurement requirements and reason for the wheelchair. The organization will then match the person in need with a wheelchair that best fits their needs.
Donate without Owning
If a person wanted to donate a wheelchair but doesn’t own one, there are organizations that allow people to donate a small fee to give a wheelchair to a person in need. There are several internet-based avenues to donate. One such is the Wheelchair Foundation, this website allows people to donate wheelchairs or the money to purchase wheelchairs that can be used for the needy all around the world.
Donating Electric Wheelchairs
Electric wheelchair donations are especially appreciated as they cost more than a bariatric wheelchair; electric wheelchairs don’t ship as well however so donating on a local level is more practical. Many organizations will work to match a donated wheelchair with a person in need and work out the delivery arrangements. An example of this is to have the two people meet halfway in between their locations to transfer the electric wheelchair form one person to the other.
International Donations
Many organizations are committed to donating wheelchairs internationally; many countries cannot afford health care at any level and their impoverished citizens cannot afford the wheelchairs they need to have active and productive lives.
These outreach programs collect financial donations and send the wheelchairs to the needy communities around the globe who can benefit most from them. These programs rely on donated wheelchairs, or funds for wheelchairs to provide them for these people.
Donating a wheelchair is a great way to recycle a wheelchair and help a needy person at the same time. Many people all over the world cannot afford one and benefit from contributions of concerned, caring people. You may be able to make a few bucks by selling the wheelchair, but the satisfaction gained by knowing someone got to use one for free is unparalleled.
Dog Wheelchairs: Mobility and Independence for Your Pet
Posted by Usman Butt Labels: Dog WheelchairsDogs are a man’s best friends and we shower our love on them without restraint, and are loved by them in return. Being playful creatures, they provide us with a lot of entertainment and enjoyment. This can sometimes be interrupted if the dogs injure themselves accidentally, or are suffering from hip and joint injuries. In their hour of need it is up to us to provide them with all the succor and help that they need and this includes buying them a dog wheelchair that will help them become mobile once more.
New Developments Have Provided New Hope to Infirm Dogs
There are also instances when genetics play a part in their disability which will leave the dogs with limited, or no use of their legs. This is a good reason for dog owners to go out and purchase dog wheelchairs for their infirm dogs and help them regain mobility. With recent developments in dog wheelchairs offering pooches hope in overcoming their disabilities, what was once a hopeless situation has considerably become simpler. This has allowed them to get customized wheelchairs to address their particular needs.
Dog wheelchairs are special devices that may be attached with a harness to the dog’s body, and also comes with a sling to support its failing limbs. Dog wheelchairs are instrumental in giving the dog new found mobility as well as freedom to go ahead and move wherever he is allowed by his master. It enables the dog to enjoy life once again.
In most instances, the dog wheelchair can be made to the dog’s measurements in as exact a manner as possible, and you can find the shape and size that best fits your dog in his favorite color as well. The dog wheelchair is different for male and female dogs to accommodate their body functions separately. With a dog wheelchair, the injured hindquarters find support as also its four limbs, and any type of dog may be accommodated. The advantage of using a dog wheelchair is that if the dog is big in size, it helps transport the dog instead of needing to carry him, and it also helps return the independence to the dog which is something very important for these otherwise active animals.
Dog wheelchairs may be the last resort when rehabilitation and therapy fail. However, dogs can often become totally dependent on their wheelchairs, and so care should be taken to try and help them to regain use of their limbs to wean it away from total dependency on the dog wheelchair.
Any disability makes life at least a bit more difficult so anything that can help the disabled is most welcome. The custom wheelchair is a great thing for all disabled people. Disabled people have different problems and different goals. Some disabled people just want to get around their own homes while other disabled people want to compete in sports and games. The custom wheelchair helps the entire spectrum of people affected by disabilities. The wheelchair can be modified for people who need a different footrest because of a particular disease, and a custom wheelchair can be modified for speed so a disabled person can compete in international competitions.
A custom wheelchair can be made to make any disabled person more comfortable. There are modifications that can be made in the seat of the custom wheelchair to make each disabled person more comfortable. A custom wheelchair can have options to help each person. Some of the wheelchairs can be made with different types of armrests depending on the preferences of the disabled person. Some mothers become disabled but their wheelchair can be modified for the care of a child. A custom wheelchair might have a special seating arrangement for the accommodation of the child.
Custom Wheelchairs Help Athletes And Shoppers
There is a continued and growing awareness of the plight of disabled people, and the laws have ensured that there are accommodations for these people. There are routes that provide for access for all disabled people. These people can now go to the opera or the baseball game with ease. There are several national and international games especially for disabled people. There are hundreds of disabled people who participate in these activities. Most of these athletes have custom wheelchairs which can make a difference in their success.
Some disabled athletes have many modifications to their custom wheelchairs. These athletes will have very sophisticated modifications to the wheels of their wheelchairs. The athletes have spoke guards to protect their wheelchairs from impact. Their custom wheelchairs might make the difference between victory and defeat. These athletes participate in many different events, and the modifications to their wheelchairs are made so their participation is possible. These athletes might have a wheelchair that can spin more easily or tilt backward or forward. These disabled athletes are incredible examples of people who did not succumb to despair because of a difficult injury. All disabled people can have a much easier life with the help of wheelchair designers.
The Concept
The climbing wheelchair is breakthrough technology; it gives its users the independence of climbing stairs, navigating on varieties of terrain, and performing everyday tasks easily and more efficiently.
The chair looks much like a common powered wheelchair with the exception that there are four bigger wheels in the back and two small wheels in the front; the rear wheels are what make this wheel chair different. The rear wheels of the climbing wheelchair have and electric lift which allows the two sets of wheels to move one over the other to climb stairs or curbs. All four rear wheels will also work together to give the climbing wheel chair virtual four wheel drive capabilities.
This four wheel drive feature allows the operator to drive on grass, gravel, or cement with equal ease; additionally slopes inclining or declining are no challenge for the climbing wheelchair.
Who Can Use a Climbing Wheelchair?
There are limitations to using the climbing wheelchair; a doctor must prescribe the wheelchair to the patient. The patient receiving the climbing wheelchair must also be trained to properly operate the wheelchair before he does so unattended. Most patients will have a home health aid to assist in the adjustment between a powered wheelchair and the new one.
In addition the patient must have use of at least one arm to be a candidate to own a climbing wheelchair. The patient must be cognitive enough to operate the chair safely and have the mental capacity to not place themselves in danger.
Independence for Patients
Once a patient learns how to properly use the climbing wheelchair their independence is potentially doubled. They will be able to do everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, enjoying a nature hike, or even visiting friends with more convenience than ever before.
Curbs of up to four inches are no challenge for the climbing wheelchair; this makes areas which were previously difficult to reach, finally accessible to the owners of the wheelchair. This is especially true with some locations with limited or nonexistent handicap access. To operate the climbing wheelchair on the stairs, the patient must back up to the stairs, and shift their weight to the back of the chair. This signals the chair to begin the accent up the stairs.
The climbing wheelchair can also elevate the operator to reach higher shelves or to carry on a conversation with a person who is standing at eye level if they desire. In short, the climbing wheelchair gives unparalleled independence and convenience to its users.
Making Children in Wheelchairs More Independent
Posted by Usman Butt Labels: Children in WheelchairsDealing with someone confined in a wheelchair is heart breaking especially if he or she is a child. However, pity is not what the child requires but consideration and the right tools to get about with as little help as possible from others. Here are some tips and suggestions of how to manage children in wheelchairs in order to make their life as normal as possible under the particular circumstances.
Choosing the Right Wheelchair
The first thing that you may want to invest in is a power wheelchair that the child can maneuver with ease alone as soon as he or she is old enough. Freedom of movement is what your child will need in any form or shape and a modern wheelchair is the only way to provide it. Children in wheelchairs feel restrained and somewhat isolated because they cannot run around and play like other children. A power wheelchair will bring a degree of independence and freedom to his or her life.
Adjust Your Home to the Child’s Requirements
Children in wheelchairs unfortunately depend on others to carry out simple functions such as going to the bathroom and/or showering and in order to make him or her feel independent and self sufficient you will be required to adapt the house to his or her specific needs. For instance, you may require special support to use the toilet or shower alone; the more activities your child will be able to perform alone the sooner he or she will start living a relatively normal life.
Create a Healthy Environment
Children in wheelchairs often suffer from depression and other similar disorders because everyone around them treats them in a special way by showing them pity and because they often don’t encounter other children in wheelchairs. An important step for you to take is to get your child to meet and socialize with some children in wheelchairs in order for him or her to find some similarities and connection with others.
It is important that you help your child see what is good in life even with his given health problems and the only way to do that is stay positive. Don’t pity your child but show him the beauty of life and how he or she can do anything he or she desires from the wheelchair. There are sports dedicated to children in wheelchairs and many more activities that will make your child feel normal under the circumstances and have the same passion and love for life all children have in order to grow up and live his or her dream.
Buying wheelchairs can be complicated if you want the best value for your money, and if you want to get the greatest features for your money. Anyone that is in the market for a wheelchair is on a mission for someone who is disabled either permanently or temporarily. These people have a problem. Some of these people have problems that are worse than others so everyone should work toward easing their problems rather than adding to those problems. Buying a wheelchair that is inferior could add to the problem and a wheelchair with great qualities could make life easier for the disabled.
The person in charge of buying a wheelchair should first consider the basic needs of the disabled person. They need to know if they are in the market for someone who wants to stay home or someone who wants to go around the town or around the world. The person buying a wheelchair should know if the disabled person wants the wheelchair to participate in athletics. The buyer should also know if the person will have an assistant or family member around to help them. The person looking for a wheelchair should know if the person will have some adaptations in their living environment.
Buying A Wheelchair For Disabled People Could Ease Their Pain
Buying a wheelchair for someone could make their life easier. Some people about to purchase a wheelchair will have insurance money to spend for the equipment although others will be spending money out of the disabled person’s pocketbook. Those buying a wheelchair with insurance funds may feel more extravagant than others. The person in the market for a wheelchair will want to examine carefully the comfort of the seat where the disabled spend many hours. The quality of the seats on a wheelchair could make a big difference every minute a person is in the wheelchair.
Those people buying a wheelchair should remember that for disabled people a wheelchair is probably as important as a car. Some wheelchairs are more flexible than others so the person buying a wheelchair must understand the needs of the disabled person. When buying a wheelchair for another person, the buyers should know if the disabled person will want to go about the town on their own. A wheelchair with a motor may get the person around better, but the motor may be unnecessary and expensive. Buying a wheelchair could be very expensive so the person with this task should carefully look at the whole picture before completing the purchase.
All disabled people confined to a wheelchair deserve Breezy wheelchairs because they are the best on the market. Breezy wheelchairs are manufactured by people who care about quality, and they continue to provide the highest quality to their customers. Breezy wheelchairs are available in a variety of models that cater to the particular needs of each and every disabled person. Some disabled people stay at home and just want to be able to get around their homes. Breezy wheelchairs are manufactured in many great models that will be great for these people and make life in their homes more pleasant.
Breezy wheelchairs are perfect models for disabled people who want to get out and about. The rules and regulations make it easier for disabled people to get out of their homes in a wheelchair. These people can go to theaters, stadiums and shopping malls in their wheelchairs because of the accommodations made for disabled people. Breezy wheelchairs make several models that are great for going to these different types of events. Breezy wheelchairs will help a disabled person get to the championship game or the latest opera at the downtown theater. Breezy wheelchairs will have comfortable seats for these people once they get to the opera or game.
Breezy Wheelchairs Are Flexible And Reliable
Breezy wheelchairs are excellent examples of engineering expertise. These wheelchairs have models that can be folded up to put in the family car when necessary. The chairs have arms that flip back so the disabled person can get in and out of the chair with ease. There are several types of footrests so the buyer can choose the best one for individual situations. The seat of the wheelchairs is extremely comfortable which is important to someone who could spend many hours in this seat.
The models have wheels that run smoothly at all times. The wheels on these chairs make maneuvering easy and quick. A person trying to get a wheelchair through the home will surely appreciate the flexibility of these machines. The wheels like the rest of the chairs are made from the finest materials for ease of operation. The wheelchairs have great warranties that rarely have to be called into play because of the fine workmanship and materials. These great wheelchairs have models with safety features and convenience features including beverage holders and oxygen tank holders. These wheelchairs continue to have great success because of the great quality of each wheelchair.
Bariatric Wheel Chair Basics
If a person has been diagnosed with a mobility-impairing condition that has good chance of rehabilitation, they are often prescribed a bariatric wheelchair. This is what some might call a standard wheel chair. It has two oversized wheels in the back, and two smaller wheels in the front. It also has a metal frame and vinyl or leather material seating; most also have armrests and are custom fitted for the patient for maximum comfort and mobility.
Getting the Best Fit
After a patient is prescribed the bariatric wheelchair, most patients will need to go to a special pharmaceutical or medical supply store to be fitted to the correct chair as there are often several areas in which the patient is fitted. The height of the bariatric wheelchair from the seat to the floor will likely be called the seat height. This measurement is taken with the feet flat on the floor. The therapist or heath care worker will measure the patient from the heel to the back of the knee. The patient should wear typical shoes to ensure lasting comfort.
Another important consideration is the seat width; this is the measurement of the seat across. Many doctors will require the measurements to leave at least an inch on each side of the patient. The seat depth is the measurement of the seat from where the knees will rest to where the seat meets the back. This measurement usually will provide the knee with an inch or two of clearance from the seat itself.
The arms of the wheel chair should be measured to reach the bent elbow easily; the medical specialist will usually measure from the seat to the bent elbow to make this an exact height. The height is important because if it is measured properly it will reduce pain in the shoulders and increase overall mobility. Also these arms should be removable because the arms of the bariatric wheelchair are the most likely location to get caught in a doorway or other narrow opening.
Tires are also important; some models have soft air filled tires or pneumatic tires, which give a smoother ride and are easier to roll but they can be unsteady on turning. Due to this, many bariatric wheelchairs have solid wheels which require less maintenance.
Extra Special Considerations
Some people with respiratory, orthostatic, hypotension or psychological problems may need a reclining wheelchair application; this can ensure the persons comfort and safety in the bariatric wheelchair. Power wheelchairs are usually considered for people with permanent mobility problems, heart conditions, or other illnesses. This is because for their condition, the manual operation of a bariatric wheelchair would cause more harm than good.
ATV Wheelchairs: Making it Possible to Still Experience the Thrill
Posted by Usman Butt Labels: ATV WheelchairsInspirational Prototypes
Many people who enjoy riding ATV’s such as motorcycles or 4-wheelers don’t want to stop riding due to a disability. Some of these people have modified existing vehicles to accommodate their wheelchairs, a kind of ATV wheelchair.
These ATV wheelchair modifications allow the rider to be in the driver seat either in a tricycle style motorcycle or in a side car. Both will have a ramp or the controls for the bike will be modified to be completely operational by hand. ATV wheelchair modifications such as automatic clutches, electric shifters, specialized throttles, integrated brake systems, and wheel stabilizers are all employed to make a customized side car or ATV wheelchair friendly.
Life Motors Inc.
Life Motors Inc. is a company which specializes in motorcycle sidecar and ATV wheelchair modifications. Life Motors Inc. will custom make a sidecar or ATV, wheelchair accessible. These sidecar ATV wheelchair modifications can operate in different ways; one way is for the sidecar occupant to actually control the motorcycle while the passenger rides the motorcycle portion of the ATV as there is no “driver” seat on the motorcycle portion.
The other way to operate the sidecar ATV wheelchair modification is for the driver to actually operate the motorcycle and the sidecar is modified with a ramp to allow the ride in their wheelchair to ride in the sidecar. Life Motors In. also makes an actual ATV wheelchair machine, which allows the driver to ride their wheelchair up a ramp and behind the steering wheel. This ATV has all the attachments a person could need such as different roofing options and a snow plow.
This company has a lot of great ideas and ATV wheelchair modifications for any motorcycling enthusiast, for more information visit their website: www.lifemotorsinc.com.
BMW Conquest
The BMW conquest is an ATV wheelchair customized machine which was created by Alan Martin when his son became disabled. This motorcycle has a tricycle design and the operator is able to ride the wheelchair up the ramp of the tricycle and take their place behind the handlebars. All of the controls are accessible by use of hands only, left handed conversions are available.
The BMW Conquest is a serious ATV wheelchair accessible machine; it can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in under nine seconds; and can be driven at high speeds and maintain its stability.