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