| Nowadays, wheelchairs can be cheap to | | | | probably won't have traditional style foot |
| purchase and are widely available, so | | | | rests, as these will be incorporated into the |
| choosing a wheelchair can be confusing. Some | | | | frame. It might not have arm rests or |
| people will have been prescribed a specific | | | | handles, as it won't need to be pushed. It is |
| sort of wheelchair by an Occupational | | | | also likely to have customisable front and |
| Therapist whilst others might want a | | | | rear wheels so that the user has the most |
| wheelchair for when an elderly relative comes | | | | appropriate wheels and tyres for their needs. |
| to stay. | | | | The wheels on some rigid wheelchairs can be |
| | | | pushed inwards so that they lean towards the |
| Somebody using the wheelchair independently | | | | user to provide more responsiveness. The |
| will require a self propelling (large wheels) | | | | highly adjustable and customisable nature of |
| model they push themselves. A self | | | | these wheelchairs means that the user might |
| propelled, or transit wheelchair (smaller | | | | only needs one wheelchair for all activities |
| wheels) will be appropriate if the wheelchair | | | | - day to day living and sports. These |
| will be pushed by an attendant. | | | | lightweight chairs are easy to put in a car, |
| | | | and the wheelchair user can put their |
| A folding wheelchair is a good choice for | | | | wheelchair in the car from the driver's seat. |
| occasional use as they can easily be | | | | This means that they don't have to rely on |
| dismantled, folded and transported by car. | | | | others, and can maintain their independence. |
| The rear wheels will usually come off, and | | | | These very lightweight wheelchairs are |
| the back might fold down to save space. These | | | | utilising a lot of technology and techniques |
| wheelchairs are ideal for those going out for | | | | from mountain bike manufacturers. Indeed, |
| the day in the car, or perhaps for someone | | | | some of these rigid wheelchairs resemble a |
| who can't walk as far as they once could, but | | | | mountain bike more than a traditional |
| maybe don't need to be in a wheelchair all | | | | wheelchair, and depending on the model and |
| the time. A dedicated motor can be purchased | | | | specifications may only weigh 15-17lbs / 8Kg. |
| to turn the manual wheelchair into an | | | | |
| attendant controlled powerchair making hills | | | | The efficiency of a wheelchair can be |
| much less of a problem. If you are looking at | | | | measured easily in a non-scientific way. The |
| a wheelchair for occasional use, the lighter | | | | user can simply see how far they move in a |
| it is, the easier it will be to dismantle and | | | | given wheelchair, on a given surface in just |
| put in a car boot. As a very rough guide, | | | | one push. Because of the number of joints, |
| folding wheelchairs weigh around 33-44lbs / | | | | and weight of the steel of aluminium, a |
| 15-20Kg, which doesn't sound too heavy, but | | | | folding wheelchair loses a lot of energy, so |
| remember that somebody will be pushing | | | | a folding wheelchair won't move as far as a |
| wheelchair, and perhaps getting it in and out | | | | rigid wheelchair per push. A titanium sport |
| of the car. | | | | wheelchair weighs roughly a third of the |
| | | | weight of a standard steel folding |
| Folding wheelchairs are available in various | | | | wheelchair, and so will move much further per |
| sizes, but often do not offer the specialised | | | | push. This is an important consideration |
| features that a prescribed wheelchair can | | | | when choosing a wheelchair. |
| offer. For others, the wheelchair will be | | | | |
| used more often, perhaps all day, at work, or | | | | The process of choosing a wheelchair can be |
| indoors, for example. For this sort of | | | | complicated. The wheelchair manufacturers |
| wheelchair user, the comfort and | | | | make this easier by providing a prescription |
| manoeuvrability is likely to be much more | | | | form for some models. This is a step by step |
| important than how much the wheelchair costs. | | | | method of choosing the right wheelchair, |
| These wheelchairs are less likely to be | | | | based on the user's condition, daily |
| folding models, as the performance and weight | | | | activities and any other special |
| of the wheelchair is more important than | | | | requirements. Depending on the complexity of |
| whether it folds. These rigid, self propelled | | | | the user's requirements, the wheelchair |
| wheelchairs combine a lighter frame and | | | | manufacturer may offer the service of a |
| wheels. They might have a more specialised | | | | trained expert to help with the prescription. |
| back, seat cushion, foot rests and arm rests. | | | | All sorts of situations are considered from |
| | | | whether the user needs to cross roads, to the |
| Wheelchair users who lead an active | | | | size and width of the front castors. |
| lifestyle, which might include playing sports | | | | |
| such as tennis and basketball as well as | | | | Whatever style of wheelchair you choose, a |
| driving and day to day living, will require a | | | | wheelchair cushion will be recommended; this |
| different sort of wheel chair again. These | | | | improves posture, comfort and can help to |
| users are likely to move away from a | | | | prevent pressure sores. |
| cumbersome folding wheelchair, to one that is | | | | |
| very lightweight, smaller and stronger than a | | | | If you require assistance in choosing your |
| traditional wheelchair. A sport wheelchair | | | | wheelchair, why not let an experienced |
| might even be constructed from titanium which | | | | mobility dealer guide you into making the |
| is stronger and lighter than aluminium. It | | | | right choice. |