11 Amazing Benefits of Being a Wheelchair User

What are the perks of being in a wheelchair?

While being disabled can be terrifying, there’s a silver lining amid all the gloom and doom running through your head.

If you don’t believe us, keep reading to discover the 11 perks of being in an indoor or outdoor wheelchair that will blow your mind off. 

11 Amazing Perks of Being in a Wheelchair

As a person with a disability, you have to overcome many difficulties and barriers that abled people never think about.

But focusing on your injuries/disability and all the things you can’t do isn’t good for your mental health and quality of life.   

So, let’s talk about the 11 benefits of being in a wheelchair that you’ve never considered and some opportunities you may have missed. 

#1 Skipping Queues

Do you like waiting in a queue at airports, events, clubs, theme parks, and tourist attractions? Of course not, especially when the line stretches forever. 

The good news is that when you’re in a wheelchair, you can skip the line. The best airlines for the disabled allow you to board before the others, for example.

Venues and attraction sites, such as Walt Disney World, also have special programs for the disabled so that they don’t have to wait in a long queue for a ride. 

But don’t expect miracles when you wait in line for your morning coffee. 

#2 Free Tickets For PA/Carers

Attending events and shows can be expensive when you’re in a wheelchair and require assistance moving around. Purchasing an extra ticket can be too much for your budget. 

Fortunately, many venues offer free tickets for PA/carers so that a wheelchair user can enjoy the experience without worrying about additional expenses. 

Moreover, if you happen to live in the UK you can get a CEA card, which gets you a complimentary ticket for your companion when you go to the cinema. It’s easy to apply, and you only have to pay a small fee.

It’s a bit trickier to get a companion card in the US, as only certain theaters offer this perk. Contact the theater in your area to find out if they offer it.

You can also travel discounts or a free bus pass as a person with a disability.

#3 Shoes Look Like New

Not surprisingly, one of the perks of being in a wheelchair has to do with shoes.

Since you’re not walking on them, a pair of shoes can last you a couple of seasons without re-heeling. 

Furthermore, your shoes will look brand new, no matter how old they are. And they won’t get dirty as quickly as before. So, add less shoe maintenance to the list. 

Moreover, you can wear whatever shoes you want when you’re in a wheelchair. If you have ever fancied high-heels, now it’s the time to give them a go without worrying about aching feet.  

#4 Accessible Bathroom

While accessible bathrooms are tiny and can be hard to navigate, they’re also private. As such, you don’t have to worry about sharing your personal space with other people. 

Moreover, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are often cleaner than regular ones. And the waiting line won’t be as long.  

Just look at the bathroom below:

#5 Better Parking

Finding a good parking spot when you’re going shopping can be a nightmare. But parking spots for the disabled are located near the entrance of the building.

As such, you don’t have to roll your manual wheelchair very far, and you can be in and out of the store before you know it. No more circling the parking lot trying to find a spot! 

In some countries, people with mobility issues also get free parking. Make sure you check your country’s regulations to get the most of this perk of being in a wheelchair. 

#6 Viewing Platforms

An able-bodied person can struggle to get the best viewing spots when attending music festivals and concerts. But wheelchair users can have a great view of the stage from a viewing platform. 

Unfortunately, not all events have this perk, but it’s a great perk when you don’t have to fight others to get a better view of the stage. 

#7 People Are Extra Nice

When you’re in a wheelchair, most people tend to be nicer than usual. You can accidentally run over someone’s foot with your electric wheelchair, and they won’t make a big fuss.

Moreover, many people won’t hesitate to lend you a hand if you need help with your chair or hold the door while you’re passing.

And while not all people with disabilities like to be the center of attention, it’s nice to know that you will help when you really need it. 

#8 Greater Patience

When the simplest daily tasks and activities take you forever, you learn to have patience. The same goes for when you rely on another person for assistance.

It might not seem like the biggest perks of being in a wheelchair, but patience helps you deal better with frustrating and upsetting situations. 

Moreover, studies say, “patience is associated with higher levels of mental health and subjective well-being.” As such, being patient is better for your overall mental and physical health. 

#9 Easy to Carry Stuff

Have you ever struggled to bring home all your shopping bags from the store? That’s not a problem for power/manual wheelchair users.

You can hang your bags on the back of your travel wheelchair, place them on your lap, or stuff them in your wheelchair bag. And the best wheelchairs have plenty of pockets.  

Moreover, your chair’s storage space comes in handy for social activities, such as picnics, movies, and festivals. Isn’t that a great perk? 

#10 You Always Have a Seat

Limited mobility sucks, but at least you always have a comfortable seat. As such, you don’t have to deal with sore feet or figure out where to get a chair in a full bar.

Moreover, when you’re going on a picnic or attending a music festival outdoors, you won’t get tired of standing. 

#11 A Companion to Drag Around

Finally, one of the best perks of being in a wheelchair is that you have a companion you can drag along to events your friends and family aren’t interested in. 

Never again will you have to go to the movies alone or sit through a lecture all by yourself. Your PA/carer will keep you company, and they’ll drive you wherever you have to go. 

So, you’ve also not only a companion but also a personal chauffeur. But don’t worry. You can still be an independent wheelchair user. 

Conclusion

As you can see, being in a wheelchair isn’t all bad all the time. You may not be able to do some of your everyday tasks by yourself, but other opportunities open for you. 

Focus on the good is how you move forward and get better – physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

What do you think about these 11 perks of being in a wheelchair? What are your favorite perks? Share your thoughts in the comment section. 

References

• “ADA Design Guide.” n.d. https://www.ada.gov/restripe.pdf.
• Aghababaei, Naser, and Mohammad Taghi Tabik. 2015. “Patience and Mental Health in Iranian Students.” Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences 9 (3). https://doi.org/10.17795/ijpbs-1252.

For you, what are the best perks of being in a wheelchair? Please share your thoughts below!