Making a Wheelchair Yours

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Making a Wheelchair Yours

• A wheelchair becomes a necessary piece of
  equipment for several reasons
• temporary use, whilst rehabilitating from an
  illness or accident
• temporary use for people whose condition may
  cause fatigue from time to time e.g. multiple
  sclerosis (MS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME),
  / chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and
  fibromyalgia
• permanent use for individuals whose mobility is
  worsening through illness or disability
• permanent use for individuals who have health
  conditions or disabilities which mean walking is
  not an option.

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customerservice_at_essentialaids.com People are
individuals and so getting the right wheelchair
is not a run-of-the-mill purchase. Depending on
the individual, their needs, hobbies and
aspirations, getting this purchase wrong can
detrimentally affect a persons personal
development and future. Different types of
wheelchair include the manual wheelchair, a
sports models, adjust for lying,
positioning sitting or
wheelchair, which can chairs and
powered / electric wheelchair designs standing,
all terrain models.
standing power wheelchair
Once the correct wheelchair has been identified
and purchased, this item becomes an extension
of ones own self and can be personalised by
the user. Personalising a Wheelchair A
wheelchair can be personalised simply by the
colour of its soft furnishings but also by the
choice of accessories. Colour aside, accessories
can be for comfort, wheelchair protection
(against the elements and against theft and
harm), promoting independence in both daily
living and lifestyle, making travelling a more
straightforward option and supporting
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• hobby choices, to name but a few thoughts that
  need to be
• correctly planned for.
• Wheel covers come in amazing colours and designs
  and speak volumes about the users personality
  and character. These fix easily to the wheels
  via Velcro strips to every spoke, so the
  personalised cover dropping off the wheelchair
  isnt likely to go unnoticed.
• Comfort
• Seat pads
• Seat pads can make the user more comfortable and
  help keep irritations such as sores at bay. Once
  the right size seat pad for the specific
  wheelchair model has been identified, getting the
  right material and filling for the individuals
  needs is vital
• a foam cushion allows some flexibility of
  movement and can promote stability / steadiness
• an air cushion offers adjustable firmness and give
  s extensive pressure relief
• a gel cushion keeps the user cool and also support
  s distribution of pressure
• honeycomb cushions are light in weight, keep the
  user cool and offer moderate pressure relief

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• An alternating pressure cushion can help prevent
  sores by
• doing just that - alternating pressure.
• Other Padding
• Padding can be fitted wherever pressure may cause
  sores and bruising. Items can include
• leg huggers if your wheelchair is fitted with a
  footplate, a leg hugger pad can be attached to
  lie behind your lower legs. This pad prevents
  your legs from falling through the gap but can
  also protect you from the cold which may reach
  you from under the wheelchair seat
• shoulder and forearm pads can be attached to the
  wheelchair to give cushioning to these parts of
  the body, reducing the likelihood of sores and
  bruises.
• Harnesses and belts
• Harnesses and belts are about giving support to
  the users body and so the right choice will
  prove personal to the individual
• a shoulder harness will support against slouching
  and so give good back support but may prove
  restrictive to animated people and to certain
  tasks and hobbies
• a chest harness will protect the chest but
  promote fuller movement to the whole of the
  users body

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• a body harness takes pressure off particular
  muscles,
• whilst keeping the full upper body supported
• a pelvic belt can support the pelvic area and
  support sitting with a straight spine, freeing
  up your upper body for animated conversation or
  active sports.
• Protection
• Protection against bad weather
• Protection against bad weather can be
  accomplished by covering up with a cosy blanket,
  mobility scooters covers designed to fit the
  specific wheelchair and mobility scooter model.
• For downpours, snow and even sun, an umbrella
  holder to support an umbrella or parasol can
  keep you protected from whatever the days
  weather is offering you whilst out and about.
• Protection against theft
• Protection against theft is an important
  consideration and there are several safeguarding
  options available to the owner
• keep a record of the wheelchair model and serial
  numbers, so that quick identification can be made

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• mark your wheelchair with an identifiable sticker
• have an up-to-date photo of your wheelchair
  available, to prove ownership and to secure its
  return
• fit a locking device, which will make its removal
  much more difficult
• electronic tracking devices can allow you to
  track the location of your wheelchair, via an
  app on your mobile phone.
• Protect yourself against accident during the dark
  hours
• Purchasing a reflective strip, or displaying one
  which may be on your wheelchair bag, will make
  you remain visible when out in darkness.
• Independence / Daily Living and Lifestyle
• A Working Surface
• A working surface is a must for a wheelchair
  user. It can be used for
• eating and drinking should the height of the
  restaurant table prove to be incompatible with
  the height of the wheelchair arms (the
  wheelchair arms are unable to slide

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• under the table), using ones wheelchair table
  will prove a
• good second option
• the personal wheelchair table can support
  writing, reading, accessing a tablet or
  lightweight laptop, enjoying a hobby or
  interest, or simply keeping the television
  remote controls at hand.
• - Bags and Pouches
• Wheelchair bags, pouches and organisers are a
  must for individuals who spend a lot of time
  living, working and participating from their
  wheelchair.
• A wheelchair organiser can fit inside the
  wheelchair seating area and run along the seat
  depth, allowing the user immediate access to a
  mobile phone, glasses, money, make-up, keys,
  medication and any other small items to which the
  user may wish personal access.
• The organiser can also fit to the back of the
  wheelchair, though the user may then need
  assistance in accessing its contents.
• Wheelchair bags attach to the back of the
  wheelchair and can be used for carrying light
  shopping, college files and other specific items
  needed in daily life.

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- Other Accessories A drinks holder will prove
very useful, particularly if youre trying to
multi-function e.g. reading and drinking.
Gloves can be either full-fingered or fingerless,
both giving added dexterity and keeping hands
free from calluses. Travelling For a lightweight
manual wheelchair, a carrying case will protect
your personal vehicle, by keeping it free from
tugs and bumps, as well as spillages. The case
will make it easier to slot the wheelchair into
allotted space, rather than getting stuck on
other strangely shaped objects. For electric and
other non-foldable wheelchairs, a waterproof
cover will protect against the elements,
spillages and allow the wheelchair to claim some
of its own space in the storage area. Some
wheelchair covers have an elastic edge, allowing
the cover to be held in place whilst stored. For
users who prefer to operate their wheelchair
manually, wheelchair gloves are necessary.
Keeping ones hands free from broken skin and
sores is a must for regular users. Leather
gloves, or thick padded ones, will reduce the
likelihood of bruised and blisters.
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• Accessories for Hobbies and Other Useful
  Wheelchair Aids
• In todays technical world, a table mount (rather
  like a monitor support) will vertically hold and
  support items of between ½ inch (1 cm) and two
  inches (5 cm) thick and will promote interests
  that involve using computers, tablets and books.
• Wheelchairs can be fitted with slippers, wheel
  covers which will stop the outdoor tread on your
  wheels from staining the carpet, or other
  flooring in your home or workplace. These come in
  a variety of colours and can once again
  personalise your personal mode of transport.
• Depending on the individuals personal health
  condition, other accessories may be needed,
  including
• an oxygen tank holder (carrying case) which
  attaches to the back of the wheelchair
• for electric / powered wheelchairs, a joystick
  can give the user excellent control of the
  vehicle, both with adjusting speed, going
  forward and reversing and also controlling ease
  of turning, by the use of only two fingers.
• portable wheelchair ramps made from aluminium
  alloy are lightweight and so prove excellent for
  entering buildings by the quickest route, rather
  than taking the longer one of the allocated ramp
  into the building.

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Summary Matching a wheelchair to the potential
users needs and desires is of paramount
importance. Getting it wrong will greatly reduce
the users future development, physically,
emotionally and developmentally. Padding,
harnesses and belts all promote comfort and
stability, keeping the user fresh and ready
for the activities and expectations of the
day. Protecting the user from inclement weather
means that the wheelchair is also being
protected against the cold and damp, keeping it
dry and comfortable for the user and protecting
it against excessive wear and tear. Keep all
identifying details for your wheelchair at hand,
to support swift retrieval.
At home, the wheelchair table, wheelchair bags
and pouches help you keep regular items at
hand, reducing the need to move from one place
to another, to access run-of-the-mill gadgets
and equipment. When using a joystick for
travelling in your electric / powered
wheelchair, always find time to practise its
capabilities before going out for the first
time. Quick pressure on the joystick will
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customerservice_at_essentialaids.com cause jerking
and so gentle manoeuvres need to be
achieved,before being qualified to drive
safely. Blog an Originally Posted Here
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ir-your s.html
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