Wheelchair 101?

Question

My dad is now in a wheelchair, and I found out today that it just isn't as easy as it looks. I had to take him to the doctors and found that the ramps weren't cleared from the snow wide enough for the chair and I had to take him down a small hill and almost lost him. I want to make it easy on both of us.

Okay.... what are the basics?

Answer 1

There are two ''bars'' sticking out of the back of the wheelchair. Whenever you are about to go over a threshold or a bump or a dip it helps to put one foot on a bar to stablize the chair or it might give the rider a spill. When going down a steep ramp it is better to back down it. Always Always lock the chair when the person is getting out or getting in. It takes a little practice.
Back it through doors after you open them. The foot holders will help to hold the door open even after you are backing in. Back into elevators and be careful when you start to exit an elevator. The threshold is tricky and this is one of those times to use the bar on the back of the chair.

Answer 2

I would think alot of people who've been in wheelchairs and
victims of run ins' with corners, and elevator doors, and
ramps both up and down, would have alot to say. I have to use
a wheelchair whenever I go to the clinic or hospital for
specialty clinics. And I have a husband who pushes me around the corridors. He never fails to knock my feet against
a corner when he has to clear the elevator doors, or turning
me around inside one and hits the walls in the process. He has clipped me so many times I find it amusing now. But not when it happens of course.
He will push me into the cafeteria at the hospital and forget how much clearance he needs between me and someone next in line to order something. And about puts the customer ahead of me, into my lap LOL. He has shoved me against the wheelchair tables, like he's having to clear space for a
pushcart. And I have to push myself back from the table to
breathe. As we leave the cafeteria, he will turn too narrow and
I barely clear the seating to get into the narrow aisles to
leave. Then as he wheels me out into the open corridor, he
about runs into someone passing in front as he's looking in
the opposite direction. The only safe place he navigates is in
the main open area of the hospital where people are passing
left and right and straight ahead to the elevators. I feel I
should have a blindfold on, as I never know who he might
clip besides me LOL. You'd think he is a terrible driver car
driver. But he doesn't drive a car like he does a wheelchair. And thank gawd for the hand brakes. He's left me rolling back and forward both when I forgot to set them or he did. I swear, I really take my life in my hands sometimes with his steering faults. Do you wonder why I'm always so glad to get back home again from medical appointments LOL?

Answer 3

Ah yes, as usual the FACTS are ignored and wild and innacurate allegations are taken as gospel (pardon the pun). Ahmed Yassin, the founder and spiritual leader of Hamas. The same organization that not only called for but undertook countless terrorist attacks (including MANY suicide attacks) that specifically targeted hundreds of civilians. You mean that guy? Hell yes they killed him and anyone that associated with his evil soulless ***! Jamal Fayid, who apparently was killed during the fighting between Israeli soldiers and armed Palestinian militants was among those that died in the course of the fighting and was NOT in any way targeted by the Israelis. The facts as itemized by none other than the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Time Magazine, and the BBC all concluded there was no 'massacre' of civilians at Jenin as the Palestinians claimed. As for Stephen Hawking being a target of any Israeli violence, much less murder is the height of hyperbole and WILD and STUPID exaggeration. Since when has ANY individual been targeted in such a way by the Israel just because they spoke out against Israeli policies. Cretin!

Answer 4

I think it is absolutely riddiculous how they expect people to manage. Im sure the government feel that disabled people should be locked up in bad weather!

Maybe you could make sure that he has everything he needs if the weather forcast is bad. If he has to visit the docs phone earlier to check that they have salted the ramps. Maybe you could travel by taxi? (I know 'Why should you?') The only other option is an expensive one- buying an electric wheelchair/scooter with a good sturdy tyres.

Answer 5

I was in a wheelchair several years ago for 6 months-Unfortunately I was at the mercy of my teen children who enjoyed pushing me fast and letting me go and leaving me there. Especially at the store. Don't know any tips. I was only injured waist down so I had good upper body strength still. It isn't easy no matter what. Nice you can be there to help him. Utah is not very disabled friendly so I don't know what to tell you.

Answer 6

It is absolutely awful the wheel chair ramps are not clear of ice and or snow. They are waiting for a law suit to happen. You are a wonder person caring for dad. Bless you.

Answer 7

When I am pushing someone in a wheelchair, whether we are going down off a curb, or short incline, I turn the wheelchair around and pull the person/chair towards me, so that I can maintain control.

I found one link that might help you.
Wheelchair use outside
http://alzheimers.about.com/od/equipment/a/wheelchair.htm?iam=dpile_100

Answer 8

In the snow would be rough. Make sure you have good gripping shoes on, so you don't slip and loose it on a hill. Those things ought to have hand brakes for the person pushing the chair. They'd be easier to stop for sure.

If possible, keep the person in the chair aware and helping to stop and steer. Also it may be easier to go down those hills backwards, pulling it behind rather than pushing it. Easier to stop.

Good luck

Answer 9

This is the kind of thing that only practice will help you, and Him! Sadly, there aren't to many books out there on how to use a wheel chair properly!

I had to be on crutches for 2 years when I crushed my heel... it took me quite a long time to become good on them! And, I had to do some revisions on mine to make life easier. I took a little basket and one of my son's old button down shirts, covered the basket with the shirt, also used it as a wrapping to hold it to the crutch. Thank Goodness Grandmother taught me how to sew and upholster. I had pockets in the right places, the end of a sleeve to hold my important things, I did have to add a few buttons but that's OK. Everyone was so impressed with my little basket shirt thing, now you can buy them on line... someone took my idea! As long as it helps people... I did the same for my neighbor when she had to use a walker after having her knee replaced, that basket was a life saver for her!

Good Luck Hon! Sorry I can't help with driving a wheel chair!

Answer 10

My husband parked in the lot at my doctors which is on a slope. He wheeled me to the car and let go of the chair to open the door and I rolled out into the road !!!!! He went to put me in the car and missed the seat and I sat on the edge of the floor !!!!! He took me out on the patio to get some fresh air and left me there until after dark and it was cold too !!!! and that was all in one day !!! He told a friend of his if i ever got on my feet he was a dead man !!! hahahaha !!!! Well I am on my feet again and he is still alive !!!! lol It takes a lot of practice hon !!! Just make sure he is safe and positioned comfortably !!! He is lucky to have you !!!!!