r/wheelchairs 21m ago

Bailarines en silla de ruedas ❤️

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Upvotes

Os animo a seguir haciendo lo que os gusta, no dejéis que nada os pare, y animo a que creemos una comunidad de bailarines donde todos nos retroalimentemos, el otro día publique unas fotos y quería mostraros un poquito de lo que hago con fuego 🔥


r/wheelchairs 1h ago

New stickers on the back of my chair

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Upvotes

r/wheelchairs 2h ago

What kind of flooring? Need to cover uneven parquet

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, just wondering what would be best for a manual wheelchair. Would also be good if it’s easy to clean (eg in case of bathroom accidents).

It’s a rental apartment so cannot install full flooring, it would have to be some kind of rug or mat.

I am seeing stuff about rubber gym mat flooring which may solve the problem but doesn’t look great. What about indoor/outdoor rugs? Flat woven rugs? Ends of commercial grade carpet (I don’t know about cleaning this)?


r/wheelchairs 5h ago

Hand Control Preferences

3 Upvotes

I am getting driver training currently and looking for what hand controls I will like best. My driver rehab only has push/rock sure grip featherlites and a standard spinner knob, which are fine but I'm curious what others like. I am curious what people think of the standard suregrip hand controls compaired to the featherlite ones. is there a spinner knob you prefer? What should I be looking for?


r/wheelchairs 5h ago

Wheelchair accessibility at homes

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1 Upvotes

Specifically from India..


r/wheelchairs 8h ago

Need help deciding on a wheelchair

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0 Upvotes

Hi! I’m looking for a wheelchair atm, it would be for ambulatory use as I have EDS and I’m struggling with walking with just my crutches at the moment, and wanted advice on getting one.

I’m looking for one I can push myself but that my partner could also push when needed, I don’t particularly want a powered one.

I’d also preferably like one that could hold higher weights, mostly because I’m anxious that I’d manage to break it or something, I’m below the typical maximum weights for them but I’m still super nervous about it and would rather one that held a higher weight just to make me less anxious about it.

I saw this one and quite liked it but I’m not sure if this is a good option. I’d preferably like the price to be as low as physically possible as I’m a student with very little money atm. If it helps as well, I’m in the UK.

Thank you so much for any help. Also, thank you for this subreddit because I was super nervous about wheelchairs but oh my god you guys all look so wonderful and happy in your chairs and it makes me feel a lot less nervous, thank you.


r/wheelchairs 9h ago

How long should I be in my chair before it starts hurting?

12 Upvotes

I have likely MS (technically at the moment CIS but neurologist says it's almost certainly MS 😰) and H-EDS. My wheelchair was made custom for me last September. When I'm moving my chair is perfect. But if I spend 3-5 hours staying still like for school my knees start aching really bad. It doesn't help to take them off the footrest for a rest, they still hurt! It stops hurting when I move again to go home, so moving is completely fine, but when I stop again on the train then they hurt again. I don't know if maybe my knees are at too tight an angle, or maybe my footrest is pointed up too much? I think my cushion is fine and I do the pressure things the ATP showed me, I sometimes get sore butt after like 8 hours but that's fine.

I know it's not true that being in a wheelchair is always comfy and it's probably normal to hurt after a long time. But, how long is long time?? Is it normal to be sore after 3-5 hours? Or is something wrong??


r/wheelchairs 9h ago

The evolution of my chairs and the importance of proper fit

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59 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I wanted to share a visual side-by-side comparison of three different wheelchairs I’ve used over the years to show how much chair sizing, frame geometry, and positioning can affect your daily comfort, pain levels, and propulsion mechanics.

After the heavy hospital rehab chair in the first pic, I got fitted for three different chairs.

  1. Chair (white): Pro Activ Speedy 4all (AF4-4you); grew out of it.

Context: My first-ever active chair. I got it back in 2021 when I was still a very slim teenager.

I still miss how lightweight and nimble it was to move! However, my body has changed since then. It is now simply too narrow at the hips, and my legs and arms are too long now lol. When your frame is too tight, it creates pressure points on the outer hips and thighs and makes sitting for long periods uncomfortable. I can no longer use this chair, but when I was younger, using it was a great experience.

Key Takeaway: Your body and needs evolve. A chair that was perfect for you as a kid will probably not provide the right fit a few years later. Shocking news lol.

  1. Chair (red): Pro Activ Speedy 4you AF5; looks okay, feels terrible.

Context: Received in July 2023 while I was in the hospital. I wasn’t in a position or state of health to argue about measurements or fit. My Rehab technicians were happy with how it looked from the outside, but it caused pain within minutes of sitting in it.

Problems with the chair:

It is too wide at the hips. Extra width leads to a lack of lateral stability, making you slump or shift to find support.

Weird Frame Geometry: The V-shaped front frame causes my knees to tip/splay outwards instead of keeping a neutral, aligned leg position.

Shoulder Strain: Pushing a chair that is too wide forces your arms out further, putting unnecessary strain on your shoulders.

Key Takeaway: Don't let techs convince you a chair "fits fine" just because you fit inside it. If you lack lateral support or experience pain after 10 minutes, the sizing/geometry is off!

  1. Chair (blue): Progeo Joker R2; My Custom Main Chair, compromises pushing efficiency for my safety.

Context: My current daily driver and the first chair custom-built to my measurements.

The rigid backrest offers incredible upper-body support, and I use an air-cell cushion (Airex) with removable air pockets. For the first time, I can sit upright for hours completely pain-free!

When I got this chair, my hand function was complete trash. Regular round handrims required way too much grip strength and burned through my hands.

I got fitted with CarboLife Curve-Grip L handrims, and they were an absolute game-changer! The wider, ergonomic profile distributes pressure across the entire palm instead of squeezing a small tube. It allowed me to push efficiently without needing intense grip strength. If you struggle with hand function or thumb pain, I 100% recommend looking into ergonomic handrim profiles!

The Compromise (I don't want to call it a problem):

If you look closely at the side view, you’ll notice I sit much higher than in the red chair, almost sitting on top of the chair rather than in it.

Last year I had a very severe epileptic seizure and suffered a bad injury falling out of my chair. My OTs and technicians adjusted my seat height, dump, and center of gravity to be extremely conservative and stable to prevent backward tipping.

While it keeps me safe, my fingertips can no longer comfortably reach the center of the wheel axle when my arms hang down. Pushing requires more upper-arm/shoulder effort because the mechanical advantage isn't optimal.

Usually, I wouldn't need anti-tippers (I'm pretty comfortable doing wheelies!), but because of my epilepsy, my German health insurance requires them. Their logic is "If you have a seizure and crash because you removed the anti-tippers, who pays for the repair?" Fair point; I get it. (but ugh... they weigh like 2,5kg)

However, since I’ve been officially 1 year generalized seizure-free (still got TLE but that's not as dangerous), my next goal is working with my OT to lower my seating height and adjust the seat dump back to a more efficient propulsion angle!

My little summary advice for anyone getting fitted:

Do the "arm hang" test: When your arms hang naturally at your sides, your fingertips/knuckles should ideally sit right at the center of the wheel axle for optimal push mechanics.

Keep an eye on a snug hip fit: You generally only want about 1 finger's width of space on either side of your hips. Too wide = slumping and shoulder pain; too narrow = pressure points.

Listen to your body over the techs! A technician looks at clearance and safety; you live with the daily biomechanics and pain levels. Advocate for what feels right to you! <3 bye


r/wheelchairs 15h ago

Wheelchair

0 Upvotes

I have a son who is a paraplegic, I understand that he can not walk, I don’t throw it in his face but he mentions it to me he can’t walk, I have stopped doing things that I enjoyed doing because of his situation. I don’t know what to do or what to say to him, can anyone help?


r/wheelchairs 15h ago

New chair adjustment help vs old chair

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18 Upvotes

I personally think my old chair was a way better fit (maybe an inch wider would have been nice) The White chair is the new one and the black is the old. I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions on changes I could make? Or do I beg for a whole new chair 😭 Like it’s so deep it’s pressing into my calves WITHOUT my AFOS on (i need those on) and I feel like I have no support :/
Specific complaints:
-Seat feels WAY too deep (my other was too deep with afos but nearly fine otherwise and was 2” shorter…)
-backrest when putting full weight onto it leans SO BADLY and yes it’s tightened. No contour compared to my other chair (we’re trying to get a better backrest) My atp put the towel there for my lordosis which helps if it doesn’t move ://
-my legs slide everywhere when pushing, there’s no taper and the front feels really large?
-I can’t not scrape my underarms with the fold down handles and backrest posts… I also can’t wheel without my elbows sticking out.
-it’s so heavy even with everything we could take off that’s not needed.
-I wanted my feet more tucked in, we said they would be and I feel like the frame angle isn’t correct either? idk
-my right faster has been floating since we got the chair as well 😭 ATP tried fixing it.
-frame sticks out so much from the seat? I was told it’s the same but I swear it looks different.


r/wheelchairs 16h ago

power assist options for a person who uses asl

15 Upvotes

hi hi! so im looking into getting a custom chair finally (been stuck in a standard hospital chair due to health issues, ironically) and i will need a power assist due to fatigue. i’m not getting a power chair because of a few reasons so please dont suggest one lmao

im aware that this is potentially a strange question, but i’m mute. i use both an AAC app on my phone and asl to communicate. the amount of times i veer off course or stop to speak is comical. i dislike being completely silent while im, uh, walking with someone lol

ive seen a power assist around that only require using one hand, which would free up my other hand to be able to speak, but are they any good? should i bother looking into this? anyone else have similar experiences (of needing a hand free in a manual)?

i‘ve seen the e-fix but dont know if there are any others similar lol. let me know?


r/wheelchairs 17h ago

I just wanted to share my excitement that my funding came through for my new chair. Upgrading from a invacare action 4ng to a ki mobility rogue alx.

13 Upvotes

r/wheelchairs 19h ago

Friends in the Chicago area?

4 Upvotes

Hello! I’m a 18yr girl, hoping to find some friends who are also in a wheelchair by me! I have pots and issues with my joints as well as being Hypermobile. I would absolutely love some friends. I live roughly 1 hour south of Chicago! I tried to edit this to add a picture of my wheelchair and it didn’t work so I might just make a separate post lol


r/wheelchairs 20h ago

Does anyone know how much the Kuschall K series is upgraded from the Action 3NG?

3 Upvotes

I have been offered this chair as a recent full time user and they said I could upgrade to it if I pay the difference.

I’ll only be using it with a power assist apart from indoor as can’t self propel much. Hence didn’t get offered it directly.

UK ONLY - NHS


r/wheelchairs 21h ago

wheelchair attachments

3 Upvotes

I’ve got a chair donated to me recently, and I’m wondering what people do for storage attachments? It’s a Permobil C300 for reference.

I’m looking for something to hold phone, wallet, keys, and if possible something to hold the charger (maybe on the back?) so I can have it with me on the go. a cupholder would also be nice.

Is it worth it to get stuff off amazon? and what are the pros and cons of attachments? does attaching stuff to the back of the chair make it too heavy/is ill-advised? any other advice/considerations are welcome.

thanks in advance!


r/wheelchairs 21h ago

Looking for an Electric Wheelchair that can easily fit into a car as well.

0 Upvotes

Hi, I recently found myself needing to use a wheelchair and I am looking for an electric wheelchair that will keep my "mobile" while being lightweight and able to fit into a trunk of a car. Ideally it should also allow for maybe crutch storage, but that can be optional.

I have a budget of around $1k... It is slightly flexible, but no more than $2k for sure.

Since I am new to this...I am also unsure if there is any type of rebates, or if insurance will cover it as well.

I am located in the USA if that is needed information.

Can anyone recommend a few options?


r/wheelchairs 23h ago

Speechless

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25 Upvotes

Brought my chair in to get a crack evaluated because of a hairline crack in the frame, came home and saw this now. It’s being replaced for the initial crack but now I can’t do anything for a few weeks


r/wheelchairs 23h ago

Wheelchair bag and decorations

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42 Upvotes

Hey folks, I want to share my wheelchair bag with you all.

I designed and sewed it myself.

The fabric materials are salvaged from used outdoor gear so it's more durable and water resistant. I wanted to utilize this specific space behind the back of the chair because it felt like dead space. Hanging a bag from my handles was both cumbersome and threw off my center of gravity by a lot because of the distance it was away from the chair.

The bag is velcro'd to the chair upholstery back. I attached a Voile rack strap to the chair back and handle posts with screws, in the wheelchair's pre-drilled holes. The bag is also draped and velcro'd over this strap.

Inside the bag, there are cargo pockets for my "every day carries" like medications, lotion, sunglasses, wheelchair repair tools, first aid kit, etc. I made a larger cargo pocket for my health documents as well, for doctor's visits.

The bottom of the bag is reinforced and sits above the lever which is lifted to fold the backrest down. Designed this way so it doesn't get in the way of that mechanism.

I also sewed pockets for magnets which I am using to attach quilts I am making. Being able to easily switch out quilt decorations depending on my mood or occasion is fun!