The Characteristics of the Folding Wheelchair

There are two types of the manual wheelchair. One has a rigid frame while the other has a collapsible frame. The latter is called the folding wheelchair. It is easier to store and transport than the former. It is also generally heavier because it has folding and locking mechanisms and reinforcing elements. Heavy-duty and lightweight models of this kind of chair are available.

Instead of having to use a larger vehicle or provide for special transportation arrangements, a car can be used to transport a folding wheelchair; it will fit easily into the trunk when folded. The option to fold it is made possible by an x-frame that allows it to be collapsed sideways. Thus, it can be kept in a relatively small space when not in use.

The four wheels of a folding wheelchair remain on the ground when navigating on an uneven surface, making it more stable on such a surface than the chair with a rigid frame. The flexible frame of the chair yields to accommodate the unevenness of the floor, ground, or terrain. On a hard floor surface, however, it is less stable than the rigid wheelchair.

The cost for keeping a wheelchair that can be folded in good condition is greater than that for a chair with a rigid frame. The parts of the folding chair that can be adjusted and removed, while making it easy to fold and transport the chair, are worn down and get lost more easily and this leads to more frequent need for repair and replacement.

Furthermore, the folding wheelchair’s relatively greater weight requires more effort to propel and maneuver the chair. Its moving parts also make the frame flexible and this flexibility absorbs much of the force exerted to propel the chair making it harder to push and control. Greater strength and dexterity is needed in propelling and maneuvering the folding chair when compared to the chair with a rigid frame.

When in a wheelchair that can be folded, there are certain activities that it is not appropriate for the user to engage in. This is because certain compromises are made in terms of stability and strength in order to have the ability to fold the chair. The desirable features of the folding chair also make it less durable and less stable at the same time.

Individuals who are from zero to four years and those who are from 60 to 90 years old are the patients for whom the folding wheelchair is appropriate. This is because it is not optimized for self-propulsion and is therefore appropriate for those who minimal or no upper body strength. A wheelchair with a rigid frame is more appropriate to those who are able to propel a wheelchair.

The folding wheelchair is suitable for transporting in smaller vehicles that have less capacity as well as for smaller living quarters that have minimal storage space because it takes up less room when folded. Even if it is relatively heavier than the wheelchair with a rigid frame, it is more convenient for the invalid’s companion to carry and keep. Its focus is portability and ease of storage.

A Brief History of the Electric Wheelchair

In the 1950s, the electric-powered wheelchair was invented by George Johann Klein, the Canadian inventor who is considered as the most productive in the 20th century. He came up with the electric wheelchair, which was meant for injured World War II veterans, while he was with the National Research Council of Canada. His other noteworthy inventions are the ZEEP nuclear reactor, the Canadarm, the Weasel all terrain vehicle, and the microsurgical staple gun.

In a gesture to demonstrate the commitment of the Canada to help disabled individuals all over the world, the first successfully working electric wheelchair was given to the government of the United States in 1955. Fifty years later, in Ottawa, during the official launch of Dr. Klein’s biography, the chair was repatriated. The Canada Science and Technology Museum now has it on display.

The influx of World War II veterans who had been disabled by battle injuries brought about the development of the electric wheelchair, which has been called Canada’s Great Invention. The National Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Paraplegic Association, and Canada’s Department of Veteran Affairs collaborated to develop a functional electric motor propelled wheelchair that would help the disabled veterans return to a semblance of normal life.

Dr. Klein, with the help of other scientists, engineers, medical practitioners, and patients, originated the concept of the electric wheelchair in response to a need for devices by which quadriplegics could move around independently. John Counsel, founder of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, had earlier lobbied the Canadian Government for the mass purchase of manual wheelchairs which helped a significant number of paraplegics. It fell to Dr. Klein to come up with a way to provide mobility for quadriplegics.

For his work on the electric wheelchair and other notable inventions, Dr. Klein was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1968. Born on August 15, 1904 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, he was inducted to the Canadian Science and Technology Museum Hall of Fame in 1995, after he died at the age of 88 years in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on November 4, 1992.

Variants of the electric wheelchair, such as rear, centre, front wheel and four wheel drives are now available. This kind of wheelchair has been customized in response to the different needs of patients. The mobility and independence that the chair makes possible perpetuates the memory of Dr. Klein in the minds of the people so benefited. This is in addition to the legacy of his other inventions.

Now also prescribed for patients with cardiovascular disorders, the electric-powered wheelchair was originally meant for quadriplegics and invalids who can not self-propel a manual wheelchair due to certain disabilities. It can be a portable chair or a full featured “rehab” chair. Some have separate chargers and others have on-board chargers. There are models that are designed for outdoor use, indoor use, or both.

The electric wheelchair helps its occupant perform certain motions and activities, which would not have been possible otherwise, through functional movements like tilt, recline, leg elevation, and seat elevation, among others. These movements, along with the chair’s direction and speed, are controlled by the use of a joystick or some other kind of device such as a chin control or a puff/sip scanner.

When to Opt for a Lightweight Wheelchair

A lightweight wheelchair weighs 34 to 36 lbs. A high strength lightweight one weighs from 30 to 34 lbs. An ultra lightweight type is less than 30 lbs. And a standard wheelchair is more than 36 lbs. These are the classifications of manual wheelchairs according to their lightness or heaviness and from which an individual weighing up to 250 lbs can choose.
Standard wheelchairs are the least expensive of all the types mentioned and come with fixed back rests, foot rests, and arm rests, and thus are not adjustable. These are made from materials which have a less desirable kind of quality. These are also the hardest to propel and transport because of their weight. Users who will not need a wheelchair for a long time are the ones for which standard types are recommended.
Individuals who can not use a standard wheelchair are those for whom lightweight wheelchairs are intended. The lightweight types are usually made from materials of a higher quality and have customizations such as foot rests, back rests, and arm rests that are adjustable. Because they are light, they are easy to operate and control. They are more expensive than the standard chair types.
The most durable of the lightweight types is the high strength lightweight wheelchair. This type offers even more options, being very functional, highly adjustable, and exceedingly manoeuvrable. Those who have special needs such as atypical seat dimensions or regularly engage in activities that lightweight and standard types do not have the capacity for are the ones that need to use this type of chair.
For those who need to have a wheelchair for more than three months and must spend a considerable amount of time in it day after day, the most desirable type is the ultra lightweight wheelchair. It is durable, very easy to operate, and has optimum adjustability. Because it is made from expensive materials and can be highly customized for the needs of the users, it is the most costly.
The heavier and less customized a wheelchair is, the less expensive it is. Lightness and added features make wheelchairs more expensive. That is why the standard wheelchair is recommended for those who do not need special features, do not spend too many hours in it, and need it only temporarily.
The features of a wheelchair must be carefully weighed against the particular needs of the user. Those who definitely can not use a standard type must have a lightweight type of chair. This is because the acquisition of a lightweight wheelchair can involve a considerable amount. If an individual can use a standard wheelchair without discomfort, inconvenience, and reduced functionality and/or mobility, a lightweight type would not be necessary.
A stronger, heavier, and/or more active individual who must use a chair for an indefinite time should have a high strength lightweight wheelchair. One who is less active, lighter and/or not so strong but must also use a chair indefinitely should have an ultra lightweight chair. These two types are the most desirable kinds of chair but they are also the most expensive.

The Kinds of Manual Wheelchair

The manual wheelchair, so called because it is propelled with human power, has many types. One is the attendant propelled wheelchair which is pushed by a person other than the occupant of the chair. This type does not have hand rims on its large wheels. What it has are handles at the back of the chair which the attendant uses to control it.
Another type is propelled by the occupant himself. This is the self propelled wheel chair. Attached to the outside of its large wheels are hand rims which the user manipulates in order to move the chair. These hand rims have a diameter that is less than that of the wheels for better control. The speed and direction of the chair is determined by the actions of the user on the hand rims.
The fundamental components of a manual wheelchair are the seat, the back rest, the foot rest, two large rear wheels and two small front wheels. Additional chair features can be added as required. Such additions are tailored to the needs of the intended users. The height of the chair, the size of the seat, and the position of the foot rest as well as the back rest can be varied.
There is a one arm drive type of self propelled wheel chair. On one side of this type of chair are two hand rims, one smaller in diameter than the other. By moving the two hand rims simultaneously, the chair can be propelled forward or backward. By operating only one of them, the chair can be turned either right or left depending on which one is moved.
A lever is used to control another kind of self propelled wheel chair. The chair can be moved in any direction by pumping the lever in certain ways. Still another way of propelling wheelchairs is possible for those who can not use their arms or hands. Special mechanisms are incorporated into the manual wheelchair so that it can be manipulated using one or both feet.
The wheelbase chair is a type of wheel chair that is specially tailored for users with complicated postures in order to serve their unique needs. This type of chair is basically a custom-built seat attached to a platform with wheels. A cast of the user is made while he is in the best seated position that he can achieve, and the seat is moulded from this cast.
Some types of manual wheelchair are easily stored because these can be folded. Others have rigid frames. Some have adjustable foot rests or adjustable back rests, or both. Still others have features that are specially designed for the requirements of their users. Such features may include holders for oxygen tanks and other medical equipment, safety belts, and even holders for drinks, books, and such.
The common inexpensive wheel chair is usually made of tubular steel. These are heavy compared to the more costly ones that are made of lightweight materials. Wood was a common material used in earlier wheel chairs. Today, most wheel chairs are made from combinations of materials such as metals, plastics, fabric, and fibreglass. The wheels on these chairs look very much like those on bicycles.

Donate Wheelchairs to help Others

You can donate wheelchairs that are no longer needed to various charitable organizations. They will make sure needy individuals receive them. They keep a database of available wheelchairs and those in need. This allows them to make a perfect match. In some cases the recipient of the wheelchair has to cover the cost of shipping it to them.

Wheelchair donations are available from many local and national organizations; a person in need of a wheelchair would contact these organizations either by phone or email and give their basic measurement requirements and reason for the wheelchair.  The organization will then match the person in need with a wheelchair that best fits their needs.

If you want to help those who need a wheelchair but you don’t have one, consider donating money if you can’t donate wheelchairs to an organization that provides them. There are several internet-based avenues to donate to. The wheelchair Foundation has a website where you can donate wheelchairs or money so they can purchase them for those in need all over the world.

Donating Electric Wheelchairs

Donate wheelchairs, especially those that operate by electricity as they are easier to use but more expensive to purchase. If you donate wheelchairs that are electrical they are generally only used locally as it is too difficult to ship them. The majority of organizations out there that work with donated wheelchairs strive to match the chairs with the person it goes to. They also try to work out the best method for delivery. It is common for someone from the organization to take donated wheelchairs half way to their destination and meet with someone who can pick it up on behalf of the recipient.

About International Wheelchair Donations

Some organizations assist with the donations of wheelchairs to be sent internationally. This is because many other countries can’t afford any level of health care and their people live in constant poverty. Without such organizations those individuals who need a wheelchair would never get one. Such outreach programs donate wheelchairs and money so that they can be sent to other countries.

Trying to recycle a wheelchair isn’t easy, but donating it to charity is a great way to relieve yourself of it while helping someone else too. That satisfaction is worth more than the couple of dollars you will earn if you decide to sell your wheelchair to someone else.

Wheelchair Q and A’s

If you have ever broken an ankle or leg then you know how important mobility is to a person. Being trapped in one position, unable to venture out to work or to perform routine daily tasks can make a bad situation even worse. A lack of mobility can greatly reduce the quality of life a person has and can make a medical situation worse if they are unable to get around independently. Wheelchairs may bring to mind the elderly but in reality wheelchairs are a great factor in many people’s lives on a day-to-day basis. You may be unfamiliar with wheelchairs and their necessity and be wondering how you or a loved one will be able to get around. This article will discuss the differences between wheelchairs as well as what to expect when operating a wheelchair. No one has to be stuck in bed or in a chair stationary any longer. A wheelchair can improve their quality of life and let them get out of the house or hospital.

Q - When was the first wheelchair invented?

A - The wheelchair has had a long history with mankind. The first foldable wheelchair with steel tubing was invented by Henry Jennings in 1932. Early wheelchairs have been linked back to the Chinese as far back as 525 CE and even have been documented with royalty. King Phillip II of Spain was depicted in a wheeled chair with head, foot and arm rests but it was not self-propelled.

Q - What types of wheelchairs are there?

A - There are a wide plethora of different styles of wheelchairs on the market. Some are used primarily for day-to-day use and some are specialized wheelchairs used for sports. Wheelchairs can be hand operated or they can be motorized. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes so that individuals preferences can be taken into account.

Q - I’ve seen those ads for motorized scooters. Are they the same thing as a wheelchair?

A - Motorized scooters and wheelchairs are similar in that they both help an individual become mobile but are quite different in their uses. Most people who use a motorized scooter only need them for specific instances such as when shopping or getting around their living arrangements easier. People who must use wheelchairs can use a scooter if they are able to transfer themselves over to the unit and can maintain their balance.

Q - What sizes do wheelchairs come in?

A - Wheelchair sizes range from those used by children upwards to those chairs that can accommodate plus size adults. Each wheelchair has a maximum weight limit it can support. If the individual weighs more than the recommended weight allowance, a bigger chair will be needed to support his or her girth and weight.

Q - How do I decide which wheelchair is best for me?

A - Wheelchairs come in a variety of shapes and styles. Deciding which wheelchair is best for you depend on your level of mobility and how long you will need the wheelchair. Some people prefer motorized wheelchairs. This is especially true if they lack upper body strength needed to propel the chair up inclines. If you are a condition that greatly reduces your total body strength, you may want to consider a specialized chair that takes your limitations into mind. You should also consider your home when making a determination. Large spaces can accommodate motorized wheelchairs much easier than apartments or mobile homes. In those cases the person may want to utilize a hand propelled chair that can maneuver well in tight spaces.

Q - How much does a wheelchair cost?

A - Wheelchairs come in a great variety of styles and materials. The rigid wheelchair can range from $400 to $3000 depending on the model. All-terrain wheelchairs can cost thousands of dollars. One of the biggest factors in cost is what the wheelchair will be used for and whether or not it is motorized. Motorized versions will cost much more than their hand operated cousins. Some people find that they cannot afford buying a wheelchair, especially if they do not have insurance, so they elect to buy a used wheelchair that is still in good operating condition.

Q - Does insurance cover the cost of a wheelchair?

A - If the attending physician writes a prescription for a wheelchair, your insurance company will cover the cost or at least a portion of the costs. It must be a medical necessity in order for insurance to pay for the chair. If you do not have insurance you may be able to find a wheelchair in a medical supply outlet or find a used one in good shape. There are also organizations and charity groups that provide wheelchairs for people with limited income.

Q - How do I make my home wheelchair accessible?

You can make your home wheelchair accessible by installing a few items that can help the impaired individual. You must make sure that your door is wide enough to accommodate the width of the chair and wheels. You should also install a ramp leading to your door if there are steps involved. Hopefully you have a downstairs bathroom; otherwise you will have to install equipment that can allow the person to see to their bathroom needs. If you find that you are not skilled enough to make the changes, you can hire a contractor that specializes in handicap renovations.

Q - Is there wheelchair etiquette?

A - Yes, you may be surprised to know that there is etiquette where wheelchairs are concerned. The first is to always allow your children to ask questions. You want them to not act shocked or are rude when they are around individuals in wheelchairs. It is better for them to know how to ask the proper questions than to let them be afraid or uncertain. One common faux pas individuals do when meeting a person in a wheelchair is to not shake their hand. Even if the person is impaired, it is considered good manners to greet them and shake their hand as you would any one else. When in a group of friends and one or more people are confined to a wheelchair, make sure and include them in the discussion and conversation. All people deserve respect and acknowledgement.

Q - My wheelchair is not motorized and the palms of my hands are becoming irritated by the wheels. What can I do?

A - Manually operating a wheelchair can be very rough on the arms and hands. Most people who use a wheelchair a majority of the time will elect to wear special gloves. The gloves are made of light weight leather, have padding in the palms and are usually missing the finger tips. The absence of the finger tips allows the user the freedom to perform tasks without being forced to remove their gloves.

Q - How do I keep my wheelchair in good condition?

A - You can keep your wheelchair in good condition by keeping it out of the elements. Water can cause the gears and spokes to become rusty. If your wheelchair becomes wet, you will need to make sure it is dried. Small nuts and screws need to be checked regularly for any loosening. You should also make sure that the padding has remained stitched and that no rips or tears are present. Tires should be free from bald spots and free from any protruding lumps in the material

What are Climbing Wheelchairs?

Climbing wheelchairs are the latest technological advancement in this area. It allows the user to be able to climb stairs, be on various types of terrain, and do more of their daily tasks with ease. Climbing wheelchairs look very similar to powered wheelchairs but they wheels in the back are much bigger and there are four of them. The front features to small wheels. Read more

Using a Wheelchair to get around on a College Campus

Many people who use a wheel chair are able to get around on a college campus without any trouble. Most colleges have the latest technology including internet access, cell phones, and handicap access.

Of course, campuses have been “handicap-accessible” for quite some time, but only recently are they becoming truly 100% accessible. While class buildings have always had elevators so that students could get to their classes on the upper floors of a building, not all buildings have had ramp access at all entrances. That is still not entirely the case, but each time a building is renovated, the handicap access tends to be one of the things that gets a lot of attention. Wheel chair transport is becoming more and more of a focus for college campuses across the nation, if not across the world. Read more

Aluminum Wheel Chair Ramps

Wheel chair ramps are very versatile and help those who need to use a wheel chair. It is important that you choose the right ramp for your needs and for your physical abilities.

Selecting The Material For Your Wheelchair Ramp

There are many types of wheelchair ramps available from different types of materials that are specially designed to fit your precise needs, for example, if you need a wheelchair ramp for getting into the house you are looking for something easily used so that you can get in and out with little effort. The best choice for that would probably be a mixed alloy aluminum wheel chair ramp. They are a popular choice because they are very light and easy to maneuver. The aluminum used is soft so it has to be mixed with other materials in order to be durable. Read more

Choosing the Right Wheel Chair for your Child

There are many different shapes and sizes of wheel chairs to choose from. Selecting the right one for your child can be tricky because you need to take many different things into consideration. Here are some helpful hints to make the process easier for you.

What are the Needs or your Child?

The first thing to consider when looking for a child wheel chair is the specific needs of the child. Their age and their health will have to be considered as well. Look for a child wheel chair that will offer them a variety of movement options. Many of the electric wheelchairs out there are very high tech. Read more

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