Wheelchair

When (normal) walking is no longer possible, someone may need a wheelchair. A wheelchair ensures that moving around and covering longer distances is possible again. It gives a person a degree of independence and freedom back, possibly with the help of someone pushing it.

Who is a wheelchair suitable for?

For people who cannot walk or can only walk with great difficulty, a wheelchair offers many advantages. It ensures that they can move around indoors and outdoors again despite a limitation. For some people, the use of a wheelchair is temporary, for example, after a leg fracture. They then use the wheelchair to cover greater distances. For small distances (in the house), crutches are often more convenient. Others depend on a wheelchair for the rest of their lives.

There are different reasons to (temporarily) use a wheelchair, including:

• Balance problems that create a risk of falling.
• Reduced fitness, making walking too tiring.
• During recovery from an operation or injury.
• Nerve or muscle diseases that result in insufficient strength to walk.

What does a wheelchair look like?

A standard wheelchair consists of a number of fixed parts:

• A frame of aluminium or steel.
• A seat with backrest and (folding-away) armrests.
• Adjustable and folding-away footrests.
• Two large wheels at the level of the seat. These have a hoop on the outside with which you can propel and steer the wheelchair yourself.
• Both wheels have a brake to secure the wheelchair when stationary.
• Two caster wheels at the front to make turns easily.
• Handles at the back of the backrest so that another person can push the wheelchair.
• Most wheelchairs are foldable. They therefore take up less space, for example, when transported in the boot of a car.

Different wheelchair models

There are a great many different types of people, and therefore also many different wheelchairs. So there is a wheelchair to suit everyone.

For example, there are:

• Powered wheelchairs.
• Small wheelchairs for children.
• Extra wide wheelchairs for obese people.
• Sports wheelchairs.
• Completely custom-made wheelchairs.

In addition, almost every wheelchair can be adapted with all kinds of accessories, such as:

• Holder for crutches or an oxygen cylinder.
• Bags.
• A different seat cushion.
• Electric drive.
• An extra wheel with hand pedals.

How do you adjust a wheelchair correctly?

Because people often sit in a wheelchair for longer periods of time in one go, it is extra important that it is well adjusted to the user. Some things to watch out for and to prevent (pain) complaints:

• Provide a comfortable seat. There are special cushions available for this.
• Adjust the footrests to the correct height. These are properly adjusted if the thighs are supported by the seat and the knees are at a 90-degree angle.

Propelling yourself in a wheelchair

It is hard work to get a wheelchair moving and to keep it moving. A good fitness and strong arm muscles are therefore needed. Fortunately, this is well trainable. There are wheelchair training courses to learn to ride a wheelchair. There are also many sports especially for wheelchair users, such as dancing, basketball, and even rugby.

By grasping the hoops on the wheels and pushing them forward, the wheelchair gains speed. If you do this on both sides at the same time and with equal force, the wheelchair goes straight ahead. By holding one wheel still or giving it more speed, you can steer and make turns. Be careful that the fingers do not get between the spokes. Spoke guards can prevent this problem.

Fortunately, there are wheelchair ramps in many places. These are ramps with a gradual slope. This makes it easier to get up (yourself). There are also more and more access ramps, for example, to get into public transport or to enter a building.

Standing still somewhere (for a longer time)? Put the wheelchair on the brake. This can be done by pushing the brake levers forward. The wheelchair is then in the parking position.

Pushing a wheelchair

When the wheelchair is pushed, it is important that the person pushing walks directly behind the wheelchair, close to the handles. The person pushing must pay close attention to possible obstacles on the route, such as kerbs, potholes, and branches.

To go up a kerb, the wheelchair has to be tilted back a little. The front wheels then come off the ground. Put the front wheels on the kerb and then push the rest of the wheelchair onto it. This prevents the wheelchair user from falling forward. Going down a kerb with help works best by turning the wheelchair around and then lowering it backwards down to the street.

Folding often goes very simply by lifting the seat in the middle. Ask someone else to do this and, for example, put the wheelchair in the boot of the car or store it. There are also wheelchair users who get into the car or drive themselves and do not need help.