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A wheelchair helps in allowing people with disabilities to move and continue with their daily life while managing their disabilities. Being in a wheelchair may seem “limiting”. This doesn’t necessarily have to be this way.
If you are having or are afraid of a difficult transition, I will help you. Here are some tips you should take note of to help you manage expectations when using your wheelchair. Read more!
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Table of Contents
Common Everyday Problems
As a wheelchair user, you may face common issues every day, especially if you live in an inaccessible city. Here are some tips that experienced wheelchair users recommend for navigating your wheelchair life.
Blisters on Hands
Remember that navigating your wheelchair takes a lot of hand and upper body movements. Friction from the wheels can cause calluses and even blisters to appear. Using gloves can help you avoid this problem.
Inaccessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) [1] was created to allow people with disabilities to gain more access to public spaces by requiring establishments to provide facilities that will make wheelchair use more convenient.
Sadly, there are still many establishments that do not comply with this act since able-bodied people often forget about the variety of issues that accessibility obstacles bring to the disability community.
It is best always to check if establishments you plan to visit are wheelchair accessible. Make sure that they have accessible facilities so you can move around and get to where you intend to go.
Besides ramps, one should also consider narrow spaces, like doors, where maneuvering a wheelchair may pose some difficulty. Unfortunately, this may not have an immediate solution, so you may need help in these situations.
Elevator Issues
This may seem trivial, but being in a wheelchair will, at times, find you racing towards an elevator, hoping to catch it before the door closes.
If you are in this situation, don’t hesitate to call out. People will always be willing to hold the door for you when this happens.
Read about the disadvantages of manual wheelchairs.
Managing the Outdoors
Going outdoors can be one of the most challenging aspects for a wheelchair user. Differences in terrain may make movement more difficult.
There are ways to circumvent these problems, though, and some things you should keep in mind to be more at ease in an outdoor setting.
Wear Protective Gear
Outdoor terrain can always be unpredictable, and you can never tell how things will end. Wearing the proper gear, especially headgear, will help keep you safe in accidents.
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Find Your Center of Gravity
Move in different directions while seated on your chair and find the position that you are most comfortable with. This will help you establish balance while moving in your wheelchair.
Avoid leaning too forward or backward so as not to lose your balance during movement.
Choose Flat Surfaces
Whenever possible, go for flat and even surfaces. Steep ramps or hills will be challenging for you since you must rely mostly on your upper body.
Observe potholes so you can avoid them.
Remember, too, that uneven surfaces might cause your wheelchair to topple over since you will want to keep all four wheels in contact with the ground.
The Weather Matters
Snow and rain can make roads and sidewalks slippery. To minimize the risk of injury, take extra caution when out in these conditions.
Also, when driving through wet streets, try to avoid puddles, as these may damage your wheels and create future repercussions.
The best thing to do, though, is to ask for assistance if you can. This is still the safest option.
Conclusion
Life doesn’t have to stop when you are in a wheelchair, and neither does it have to be limited. Don’t give in to the social pressure.
Jessie Chin, a motivational speaker, said this [2], “When you are in a wheelchair, you have to adjust to a new identity. Many people look at those in wheelchairs as fragile, but that’s not true.
A lot of getting comfortable with being paralyzed and in a wheelchair is being confident about who you are as a person and not falling [victim] to the stereotype of people being in a wheelchair.”
Always observe the precautions needed and take your time to feel your way around.
Before you know it, you will be able to move around and go about your everyday life just like everyone else.
How do you navigate your life in a wheelchair? We’d love to hear your stories!
References
- 1. Abrams A. 30 Years After a Landmark Disability Law, the Fight for Access and Equality Continues [Internet]. Time. 2020. Available from: https://time.com/5870468/americans-with-disabilities-act-coronavirus/
- 2. Cassata C. What it’s Like Living in a Wheelchair [Internet]. Healthline. 2019 [cited 2022 Feb 9]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/living-with-paralysis-why-my-disability-doesnt-define-me#Embracing-a-new-identity
