Wheel Chairs

Millions of people around the world suffer from a walking disability; wheel chairs have given them a new life by giving them a means of mobility. A wheel chair is a chair mounted on large wheels, making it possible for a sick or disabled person to be mobile.

A wheel chair might come handy to those who have temporarily lost the ability to walk and more so to those who are permanently rendered immobile. The wheel chair helps such people get around and carry on with their daily life to the best of their capabilities.

The history of the wheel chair can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians who used hand-pushed carts for people who were unable to walk. Over the years, the wheel chairs evolved to the ones we see today. The earliest wheel chairs were bulky 50-pound seats that featured vinyl upholstery. Today, the wheel chairs are much lighter, more maneuverable and far more comfortable.

There are several types of wheel chairs available in the market today. Manual wheel chairs are the most common ones. These are propelled either by the wheel chair user?s arms or by someone pushing it. These are lightweight, affordable and ideal for everyday use. Electric wheel chairs are self-propelled with the help of an electric motor. Also known as power wheel chairs, an electric wheel chair lets the user attain mobility with minimum effort. However, with an average price tag of

$3000, it does not fit every budget. The other two specialized wheel chairs are designed for specific sports and for dogs.

Several factors are to be considered while selecting a wheel chair for an individual. Weight, size, maneuverability and cost are some of the prime factors. Above all, the user?s comfort and safety is of utmost importance. Picking the right wheel chair will ensure that the user has a safe and comfortable life ? with mobility they never dreamed of.



Wheel Chairs provides detailed information on Chairs, Wheel Chairs, Office Chairs, Hammock Chairs and more. Wheel Chairs is affiliated with Folding Lawn Chairs.

Pet Stroller Website Offers Fun Alternative for Pet Wheelchairs

Pet Stroller Website Makes available Great Option Instead Of Pet Wheelchairs

For bigger pets, Pet Stroller Mart sells a Three Wheel stroller, additionally with a Four Wheel Pet Stroller. These well-built strollers are equipped with bigger wheels so you can efficiently move pets over any rigorous territory. The strollers also are available with waterproof trays for simple maintenance and cleanup, and are made with waterproof Denier nylon, so your stroller can stay in great shape for the long term. Front wheel shock absorbers help take on unforeseen bumps and terrain, and help to retain the soundness and superiority of your stroller. These pet strollers also breaks down quickly for transport or storage.

For animals that weight 25 pounds or less, Pet Stroller Mart has a wonderful group of one of a kind strollers so you and your pet can get around easily. You can get a stroller that has more of a routine carriage, or select a sleek pet stroller or a more elegant pet stroller. Despite the fact that these pet strollers are designed for smaller animals, they are developed with the same resilient quality of Pet Stroller Mart's various other offerings for bigger animals.

As an example, if you've got a couple of animals that you need to transport at the same time, http://www.petstrollermart.com provides a unique Double Decker Pet Stroller than will easily and quickly transfer both animals at the same time. You won't need to worry about bringing carriers either, as each compartment detach quickly and easily and serve as carriers themselves. Also, the cart folds easily for transport or storage.

Even when your pet is not hurt or disabled, a pet stroller can make it easy to transfer your animal if they become overtired on those long walks, particularly lighter, smaller pets. Most people might think that these are strictly dog strollers or cat strollers, but actually, they're for any collection of smaller to mid-sized pets, including ferrets, lizards or even monkeys. This sort of animals could benefit from a stroller that is enclosed.

The versatility of pet strollers sold by Pet Stroller Mart is the thing that really allows their products to stand out from the rest. As an example, they even sell a unique three in one stroller that is a pet car seat, pet carrier, and even a stroller. That is one of the key advantages of Buying a pet stroller from Pet Stroller Mart, they can save you cash since you won't need to buy other pet storage items. All Pet strollers bought from Pet Stroller Mart are easy to maintain and keep clean, and are designed for easy fold down and storage. The poly/cotton mesh fabric provides added security and air ventilation when you transfer your pet. So visit http://www.PetStrollerMart.com now to look at their unique selection and great prices on pet strollers. Free shipping is included in the price of all items.

About PetStrollerMart.com Pet strollers purchased from Pet Stroller Mart allow you the opportunity to bring along your pet wherever you need to go. Pet Stroller Mart Pet Strollers are perfect for disabled or hurt pets, small dogs, puppies, kittens, small animals, and older family pets with arthritic joints or hip problems.

Grace is a content writer for http://www.petstrollermart.com who writes about the absolute best in pet supplies and products As if cat strollers

Power Wheelchairs- 7 Safety Tips that You Should Know

Power wheelchairs have revolutionized the way that millions of people from around the globe get around. While manual wheelchairs offer users the chance to move from place to place in the absence of legs, a power unit allows them to do so without the sore shoulders and blistered hands that are so common with manual wheelchairs. Some safety measures do need to be taken to ensure the safety of not only the user, but also for any people who are in the vicinity of the power wheelchair at the time of operation.

Avoid the temptation to venture onto any busy street or cross walk. While a power wheelchair does offer greater mobility, it is not very quick and could leave you stuck in the middle of a street during a light change.

If you are using the power wheelchair around young children or toddlers, be extremely careful. Children this young are likely to reach for the control unit, possibly causing the chair to move quickly toward them. Always teach small children to never touch the control unit, this is the best way to avoid this type of situation.

It is very important to remember, at all times, that a power wheelchair can be heavy and cumbersome, making it prone to fall over. Be sure to keep your hands and arms, feet and legs within the framework of the chair at all times. This will help to keep the chair steady and less likely to tip over.

If you are using your wheelchair outside, be sure to choose the trail vary carefully. Make sure that the Earth is firm and relatively smooth, failure to do so could lead to sinking tires or overturned chairs. Great care should also be taken if snow or ice is present, it is best to have someone with you if you plan to venture out in snowy weather.

Always use the seat belt that the wheelchair is equipped with! This is so important, the use of the belt is simple, it works the same way as an automobile seat belt does. It also protects from falls and any injuries that could occur from one. Read the manufactures directions regarding power wheelchair operations. For your own safety and for the safety of others, be sure to follow these directions.

The best defense against an accident that you have is the use of common sense. If it does not sound like a good idea, then it probably is not.

Visit http://wheelchairs-central.net or http://wheelchairs-resources.info to learn more about electric wheelchairs and power wheelchair.

A Comfy Wheel Chair Is More Than Equipment For A Disabled

Mostly all kinds of disability affect your mobility to some extent. While disabilities like Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's affect your mobility to a great extent. Even the strong-willed people become depressed under such conditions. Self-pity and self-condemnation take hold in them.

Under such grim conditions, the person is bound to become cynical. "Solitary confinement" is one of the greatest types of punishment. In such a grave situation, the importance of mobility is apparent more than ever.

Think over...What if some one takes a person on a wheel-chair to the lush green lawns of the park nearby! Everyday for some hours, away from the dark corners of your bedroom! By seeing the world moving around, the positive vibrations of the green wealth, the pleasant view of the sun and the moon, good effects will stay in the patient's mind. This may not have any impact on the physical disability but the depressed mind will cry in joy.

Hence a wheel chair is more than equipment for a person whose mobility is hampered because of disability. There are many types of wheel chairs available these days. One recommended option is lift chairs.

Lift chairs help the disable person get up from the sitting position and back. A sense of enjoyment in living the normal life, temporarily though, is a great psychological advantage. Persons suffering from knee and hip problems due to accidents or muscular weakness will find the services of the lift chair invaluable.

There are many types of multi-purpose lift chairs suitable for patients of all types of disabilities. These chairs also serve the purpose of a recliner, couch, an ordinary chair or a sofa.

Keeping all these advantages of a wheel chair for a disabled person, it is very important that before purchasing the chair, all the needs of the patient are considered in detail. The patient should get the best benefit out of it.

Well, you need to think practically from the point of view of the patient. As per the needs of the patient the adjustable lift chair or an ordinary wheel chair will be picked.

Most of the lift chairs are capable of carrying the weight between 375 lbs to 450 lbs. Take special care about the measurement of the chair. If it is under-sized or over-sized, the very purpose of providing comfort to the patient is destroyed. You can also go for an automatic lift chair that is battery-operated and has provisions for 2 to 3 positions. Some lift chairs have massaging units and hearing apparatus.

Last but not the least, buy the lift chair from a company that is in the product line for many years and have reputation of quality. Such chairs carry a manufacturers warranty for 3 to 4 years. Never forget to read the conditions carefully. The conditions need to be such that they are easy to enforce. This is one product, where price is no consideration as you can not sacrifice the comfort and safety of the patient for few dollars.

Buy the best! And thanks for your support in a mission to make somebody's life better!

Many Disability articles are available at Disability Equipment & http://www.about-disability.com/

Many Disability articles are available at http://www.about-disability.com/ for Disability.

Wheelchairs And The Sports Lover

Just because you are in a wheelchair doesn?t mean you can?t enjoy the competitiveness and just all around fun that playing sports offers you. More and more wheelchair users are playing sports every day ? some even on a professional level. There are several wheelchair sports associations and gaming opportunities for your wheelchair and you ? all you have to do is educate yourself regarding playing the game safely andfind out what options you have. The following information is just a few examples of what gaming opportunities you have.

Wheelchair basketball is a very common wheelchair sport. It was started over forty years ago by the Veteran?s Association as a rehabilitation program, and over the years has grown in leaps and bounds. Today wheelchair basketball is a professional sport that offers more than 180 teams across the United States. Different versions of wheelchair basketball have spawned off of wheelchair basketball, and are very fun to play. Some even have lower, netted basketball rims that return the ball back to the players without having to chase it down.

In order to play wheelchair basketball, it is essential to have a lightweight wheelchair. Several sports wheelchairs are on the market today just for sports enthusiasts. And if you are an amputee, several prosthetic devices have been created to enjoy the sport even more. The most common upper body prosthetic ? the Super Sport, which is manufactured by TRS, Inc. ? comes in different sizes and was specifically designed for playing various sports including ball sports.

The Special Olympics added Boccia ball to its itinerary years ago, and it is game that can be enjoyed by all wheelchair users. You can play it either indoors or outdoors, and set up is a breeze. You need a target ball and six balls for each player. All you have to do is try and get your ball closest to the target ball thrown at the beginning of the game. Points are awarded based on the proximity of balls to that of the target ball.

Another wheelchair sport, quad rugby, was specifically designed for quadriplegics unable to play wheelchair basketball. It is a mixture of wheelchair basketball and ice hockey. In 1988 quad rugby players officially started the United States Quad Rugby Association, and has over 40 teams on its membership roster.

To play the game you must have two teams of four players each. Each player is classified based on impairment - .5 being the greatest impairment and 3.5 being the least impairment, and teams cannot not exceed an 8.

The players then have four 8-minute quarters in which the offense must carry the ball to their goal (on the other team?s side of the court). The defense is constantly trying to prevent the other team from scoring. The team who reaches the other person?s goal line most frequently wins.

Power soccer is another fun wheelchair sport that can rev the sport enthusiast?s engine. Players in power soccer must have an electric wheelchair.

Two teams have two 30-minute halves to push the soccer ball over the other team?s goal line. The team to reach the other person?s goal most frequently wins.

So, just because you are in a wheelchair doesn?t mean that you cannot enjoy sports activities. And based on the sport you choose to participate in, there are several wheelchair sports accessories available for you, including belts and harnesses, gloves, bags for carrying items, drink holders and specialty back supports.

Robert Michael is a writer for Wheelchairs Net which is an excellent place to find wheelchairs links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.wheelchairsnet.com

Knowing A Wheelchair: How To Make The Best Choice

When buying a wheelchair the first thing to do is use an experienced therapist that will help you pick the right wheelchair. You should use a reputable recommended wheelchair vendor who will know the wheelchairs that they are selling. The cost of the wheelchair can be important as if it is not deemed ?medically necessary? than the costs may not be covered by insurance.

The obvious thing you must look at when buying a wheelchair is if it fits you. Aspects that need to be looked into are the length and width of the wheelchair and how much it weighs. If a person has a wheelchair the use of it is important in aspects such as who will be the person pushing or lifting the chair. The chair has to fit the needs of the environment they will be used for such as in town, a big city, schools and jobs. To get to many of these places traveling with the wheelchair is a necessity.

How will the person using the chair be traveling around, by bus, car, public transportation? It is important to find out whether the user needs a collapsible wheelchair for transportation issues. With the person transferring the user they need to know if they will need tie-downs or ramps on the vehicle to transfer the person around.

The most important physical aspect of the wheelchair is the frame. The user needs to find out if the wheelchair is lightweight so it can pushed and lifted or more sturdy for a user who can be active. The user needs to see if the attachments which can be used often with wheelchairs will be supported.

Some of these items include ventilators, suction machine, oxygen tank, or communication device. How sturdy the frame is and if it has room for these attachments are important as some attachments such as an oxygen tank might be vital to the user?s health.

wheelchair-answers.com gives advice on wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts and power wheelchair

Fitness for Wheelchair Users

Why Exercise?

For me, exercise became a no brainer when I was staring at 40, overweight, and a sedentary wheelchair user for over 33 years. It was time for action. And action is exactly what I got when I met Delia Carper, a personal trainer and dietitian.

I know what you are thinking: Who can afford a personal trainer? But at this point in my life, I believed I could not afford not to hire one. At my age and with a long term spinal cord injury (SCI), I was a prime candidate for diabetes, heart disease, blood clots, continued loss of range of motion and mobility. It was time to get busy and make a lifestyle change.

Carper explained to me the ways to begin an exercise program. One choice was to go to a health club that was willing to purchase adaptive equipment. Another way was to exercise at home. She stressed that I needed cardiovascular exercise and strength training for a complete exercise program. Working out in a gym sounded daunting to me; so I chose to start doing it at home.

Because I had done no physical activity for so long, Carper said I needed a transition phase to strengthen key muscle groups and increase my range of motion through simple stretching exercises. For example, she suggested using my own body weight for movement and increased circulation before trying to use weights. I wanted to jump in with weights, but she said I should begin with simple body movements, and as I grew stronger we would add some weight.

Stay Focused

As you begin any exercise program, pace yourself and be alert to your breathing rate, heart rate, and how you feel in general. Ideally, you want to work your way up to an hour workout session (for example, cardiovascular and weight training activities) three times a week. An excellent way to make sure you are not overexerting is to purchase a heart monitor/sports watch at a local sporting-goods store.

As you begin to exercise, do not get discouraged. If you are only do two minutes of an activity during your work out session, that is fantastic. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Carper emphasized that to build muscle endurance and tone, which will improve your ability to perform repetitive tasks with less muscular fatigue, you should perform exercise with lighter weight and higher repetitions (i.e., 15 reps X 3 sets). To gain muscle strength and power, use heavier weights and fewer repetitions (i.e., 8 reps X 3 sets). As the exercise becomes less challenging, the weight can be increased followed by an increase in repetitions. Schedule a day to rest between workouts, and do not work the same muscle group two days in a row. You may have to use trial and error to establish appropriate weight.

Remember, you should be able to complete three sets of your desired repetitions through a pain free range or motion. People with SCI must maximize the strength and endurance of existing or weak functional muscle groups without causing overwork injuries. By performing a variety of exercises, you can prevent overuse injuries and promote muscular balance.

Keep in mind you do not need fancy gym equipment. Improvise with household items such as soup cans, water bottles, beach ball, volleyballs, or other practical items around your home. You can also make a small investment in exercise bands, medicine balls, or weights that can be purchased at a sporting-good store, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. As I said before, I was uncomfortable going to a gym so I started out in my home with soup cans, small weights, and exercise bands.

Ready, Set, Exercise!

Before beginning an exercise program, have a physical examination to identify exercise restrictions and detect any potential medical complications. Once you have received the green light from a medical professional and you have begun to strengthen and stretch key muscles, you are ready to begin an exercise regimen.

It is imperative that you receive advice from an exercise specialist (i.e. a physical therapist, certified personal trainer, etc.) on how to perform the following exercises correctly and safely. You need to make sure you do not create any new injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, pulled muscles, etc.

We have provided a description of these exercises to help guide you as you learn each new exercise.

The following is a suggested exercise program. Choose the ones most appropriate for your abilities.

Exercises

Day: Monday Exercises: Chest, Triceps, and Abdominals with Cardio Repetitions: 1-12 reps each exercise Sets: 2-3 sets of each exercise

Day: Wednesday Exercises: Neck, Back and Abdominals with Cardio Repetitions: 1-12 reps each exercise Sets: 2-3 sets of each exercise

Day: Friday Exercises: Shoulders, Biceps, Wrists, and Abdominals with Cardio Repetitions: 1-12 reps each exercise Sets: 2-3 sets of each exercise

Warm up by doing arm circles, shoulder shrugs, or some type of light cardiovascular movement for at least 3-5 minutes. Stretching is very important. After warming up, throughout the exercise program and afterward, stop and stretch your major muscle groups with such activities as neck, chest, shoulder, and finger stretches.

Perform every exercise slowly. You should be able to count from one to six from the beginning to the end of each movement. Never hold your breath while exercising and always breathe out on the muscle contraction and inhale on the relaxing of the muscle groups.

Using one-arm movement at a time, whether using weight or not, encourages maximum motor-unit recruitment and full range of motion and helps refine the mind-muscle connection. After completing the predetermined number of reps, switch sides and repeat.

For more information contact Marcie Davis or Delia Carper at http://www.davisinnovates.com. Davis is President of Davis Innovations, Inc., an organizational consulting firm. Carper is a certified personal trainer and registered dietician.

How Do You Spell Wheelchair? It's Spelled: "F r e e d o m"

How do you spell "wheelchair"? The answer is: F - R - E - E - D - O - M! Wheelchairs give the gift of mobility to people who are not able to get around as ably as most. That doesn't mean that wheelchairs are only for those who have lost the use of their legs completely...on the contrary! Wheelchairs help many people get around who can walk...but walk with great difficulty.

There are a variety of reasons why you might need a wheelchair, either temporarily or permanently. Years ago, they were a rare sight as they were large contraptions that were difficult to get around in. Today, though, they have come a long way from the wooden behemoths they once were. Now, they are lightweight and very strong and are able to get into places that they once were not able to get though (such as through doors or over street curbs).

Thankfully, as wheelchairs become affordable and available to more and more people, society has become increasingly accepting and accommodating to those in wheelchairs - which includes installing ramps, widening doors, and retrofitting buildings with accessibility options. It's far from perfect still, but they've come a long way! What's more, the wheelchair user doesn't have to rely on someone else to move them around any more. The large rear wheels are easy to roll with upper body strength, or some users prefer to have an electric wheelchair which allows them to get around with the aid of batteries powering the wheelchair and a joystick (or suck and blow straw) steering it. These advancements give the chair's user not only the gift of mobility but also of independence!

There are many types of wheelchairs out there. Check out the availability online to see which one is right for you. You're sure to find some within your price range and designed suitably for your lifestyle. For example, if you live in a place that gets a lot of snow in the winter, you may want a wheelchair with larger tires to push you through the snow... and perhaps coarse or knobby tires to give you traction. Or, if you have long distances to go, consider getting a wheelchair that uses a smaller rolling rail on the outside of the rear wheel, so that you don't have to move your arms nearly as much to get the wheelchair moving. There are even wheelchairs designed for professional wheelchair racers. They are lower to the ground, lighter in weight, and have the user in a tilted racing position...it may not be comfortable for day to day use, but if you like competitive sports, it's a popular and exciting sport and there is equipment for it.

If you need assistance with your mobility but don't want to get a wheelchair, there are other options, including electric scooters. These are popular choices for people who do have some mobility but find longer distances to be a little more difficult. You might find that they are useful for carrying more things if, for example, you go grocery shopping.

www.AssistiveLivingMobility.com, the highest quality wheelchair

Wheelchair Ramps...Conquering The Final Frontier

Wheelchairs make great 2 dimensional transportation: they move back and forth and left and right very easily... as well, the turning radius on a wheelchair has markedly improved over the past few decades making wheelchairs much more able to get into and out of tight spaces. Today, the final frontier in wheelchair accessibility is making the wheelchair easy to move from one level to another...up and down. Do you need to move your wheelchair from one height to another? You have a few options, which we've outlined below.

A lift is one way to move your wheelchair from the ground into or onto a vehicle. Lifts can be attached internally or externally. Often, they attach to the wheelchair and pick it up off the ground; Sometimes they use a hook method and other times they use a platform method. For example, on an external hitch (which hooks into the trailer hitch of your car), you simply drive your wheelchair onto the platform and then get off the wheelchair and raise the platform. Obviously, this type of lift is for users who do not need to be in the chair all the time or who have someone to assist them. An internal lift may work as a hook (without the user in the chair) or as a platform (with the user in the chair), lifting them into the vehicle.

Wheelchair ramps are another way of getting from one level to another. They can be designed from metal or wood. Often, the metal ones are purchased and although you can purchase a wood one, they are often built right onto the house as a do it yourself project. Municipalities often have recommendations for the height and length ratio (which is sometimes called the slope or the rise) in order to ensure the safety of the user. If you are having yours built, be sure to request traction tape or sand paint to be applied to the surface so that you can be sure you'll be safe when it is snowy, icy, or wet on the ramp.

Of course, these ramps in the above paragraph are permanent. An alternative for some people is to get a portable ramp they can take with them wherever they go. There aren't many truly portable ramps (that can be easily carried by someone in a wheelchair and placed on the ground in front of them) but there are ramps that - if you have an assistant - the ramp can be put in the car and taken out when necessary. This is the perfect solution for when you go to stores or commercial buildings that are not well designed for wheelchairs.

Another way to get from one level to another, if the level is not too big, is to simply use brute rolling force and a little balance. Most wheelchairs actually come with six wheels on them: four primary wheels for the main purpose of motion and two extra wheels...on some wheelchairs they are in the back and act as supports for when you tip backwards; on other wheelchairs they are on the front and act as "climbers" for when you approach a curb and need to get over.

We're not yet at a place where a wheelchair can go where anyone else can go...but we're getting there slowly. Until then, here are a few ways to get your wheelchair from point A to a point higher or lower!

The writer has the website at: www.AssistiveLivingMobility.com the strongest and lightest wheelchair ramps and everything about mobility equipment.

Choosing The Right Pediatric Power Wheelchair

All children value their freedom, their ability move around in space while experiencing the many wonders of the world. This is as true for those children who can't walk as it is for those who can. In the past, being confined to a wheelchair was just that ... confining. But today, wheelchairs are technologically advanced and sophisticated enough to allow children who are unable to walk a freedom they were never previously able to experience. The right pediatric wheelchair can allow a variety of positions, including sitting, laying and standing so that the user can move around during the day while still remaining comfortable and functional.

Pediatric power wheelchairs are available in the same basic models as other power wheelchairs. There's the rear-wheel drive, which move fast but can be difficult to maneuver in tight places; the front-wheel drive, which can make sharper turns and runs only slightly slower than the rear-wheel model; and finally, there's the mid-wheel drive wheelchair, which has the tightest turn capability but can be unsteady in stops and starts.

However, far more important in choosing the right pediatric power wheelchair for your child is how well it serves your child's needs. The wheelchair should be a single component in a complete support program designed to serve your child's needs, strengths and environment.

With this in mind, some hospitals and medical centers go through a complete assessment program to determine the best pediatric power wheelchair for each child. All these factors are taken into consideration in order to build a wheelchair that will suit the specific needs of the child. Some of these considerations include:

? Which mobility controls are most appropriate
? The extent of the need of the child for independent mobility
? The child?s physical abilities and functional skills
? The child's ability to control his or her upper and lower extremities, as well as head and eye movements
? The child's ability to use activating switches or joysticks
? The child?s needs for posture support and seating

These are all valuable considerations, whether or not you're in a situation in which your child's wheelchair needs can receive a complete assessment through a medical facility. In addition, you'll want to look for a wheelchair that will grow with your child. Most pediatric power wheelchairs have adjustable brace supports and frame sections that can expand, so that your child's chair can be used for ten or twelve years.

In addition, you'll want to understand that a pediatric power wheelchair will require regular maintenance. Beyond normal cleaning, the hardware, tires, seat, braking system, control system and battery will need to be tested on a regular schedule.

On the social side of your child's wheelchair needs, take into consideration his or her lifestyle, the temperament of your child, how he or she faces social situations, makes new friends, deals with being different, etc. For instance, how will your child handle the frustrations of first learning to use the controls and maneuver the power wheelchair? Will he or she become impatient and quick to give up or will your child be determined? Will your child be embarrassed entering new environments and new experiences confined to the wheelchair? Or will he or she thrive in these circumstances?

Finally, you'll also want to consider how you intend to transport your child's pediatric power wheelchair. For instance, these chairs are far heavier and bulkier than a standard manual chair. Do you have a vehicle that's big enough to handle the chair? Do you have a lift or a rack that can handle the additional weight? Will you need additional help when transporting the wheelchair?

While pediatric power wheelchairs offer greater freedom than ever before, including the ability to allow your child to participate in activities at floor level or table height or even standing in some situations, they also require some important decision making. Choosing the right pediatric power wheelchair is a process of balancing the needs of your child against the practicality of today's versatile chairs.


David Silva is the webmaster for The Perfect Wheelchair, a website dedicated to sharing information about wheelchairs, including manual chairs, power chairs, dog wheelchairs, and wheelchair accessories.

Electric Wheelchairs Promote Mobility and Safeguard Independence

With more and more people living longer and longer, the question of quality of life is a constant concern. Some older people choose to grab life by the horns and soak up every second. Others are simply unable to do so. Still others choose to let little things get in the way of living and then watch as these problems snowball to take away their mobility and independence. For those who want to enjoy life to the fullest, sometimes a little help is needed in the form of devices such as electric wheelchairs, walkers and so on.

Using a wheelchair is not something most elderly people relish. However, for those who enjoy a relative high quality of life, this implement can be a real lifesaver. There's no reason for an older person to sit back and rock away the rest of their lives when so many devices are available to help them overcome the troubles that can go along with normal aging. Getting a wheelchair isn't giving in to aging, it's fighting back and saying the person refuses to give up mobility and independence.

If an electric wheelchair is needed for a person with limited or even no mobility, there are some things to look for. Not all wheelchairs will work for every person, so custom fitting is often in order. Before buying the first chair that's found, consider these things:

* Weight. Some chairs are designed to be more comfortable for people of higher weights. A chair designed for a 120-pound person is not likely to work well for a 200-pound man. Look at manufacturer specifications for weight limits before buying.

* Ease of use. Electric wheelchairs are meant to be easy to use and deliver mobility to those who have lost it. But sometimes the consoles and controls are too complex for some users to handle. Match the features with the person who will be using the device. A wheelchair can be a blessing for returning independence to those with mobility issues, but if the person who needs it is afraid to use it, there's no point in the purchase.

* Charging and battery life. If the person who needs the chair enjoys long strolls or outings, make sure the battery has a lifespan to suit. A chair that only stays powered for a few hours won't do in this case. Also make certain there are extra battery packs available and that charging is simple to handle.

* Price. Many elderly people find themselves living on a tight budget. Make certain the chair chosen fits the budget, or better yet, is covered by an insurance plan if doctor's orders have been given.

Getting older doesn't have to mean giving up on living. Although some older people enjoy full mobility and good health, this isn't the case for everyone. But with some smart purchases to help overcome the little bumps in the road aging presents, most people can enjoy life to the fullest even in their 80s, 90s and beyond. A good power wheelchair can give those who have limited or no mobility a new lease on life. Making the right purchase, however, is vital for the proposition.

More Resources

Electric wheelchairs.

http://www.wheelchairadvice.com
Bathtubs.

http://www.bathtubguide.com

Wheelchair Cushions...You Deserve a Soft Seat

Wheelchair cushions give comfort to those who have to sit in a wheelchair for long periods of time. I'm sure there are other applications where they'd be very useful, but we won't cover those in this article.

The main function of a wheelchair cushion is to prevent pressure sores. We who are not confined to a wheel chair, probably don't think too much about it. But, did you know while sitting, only one third of our bodies surface area supports our entire body weight?

So obviously, if there's inadequate cushioning, pressure remains static in one place or spot on the body and pressure sores develop. Not good.

Cushions also help to support proper posture. I don't have to tell you why that's good. Many of us, since we were children have been hearing: "sit up straight", "don't slump in your seat". etc.

Now, in case you we're one of the lucky ones who didn't have to hear that all the time. Here it is: maintaining proper posture is essential for proper spinal cord alignment and helps prevent many future problems in your back, neck, and head.

Where was I?...there are different types, shapes and manufacturers of wheelchair cushions. You need to select and use the most suitable for you.

There are three main types of cushions.

They are:

1. gel

2. foam

3. Air flotation

Each of these types are different and useful in their own way. While each have their advantages and disadvantages, you have to identify the relative utility and comfort level of each and ask yourself how you'll use it and how much money you have to spend.

Among the different wheelchair cushions, foam cushions are the least expensive. Your physical therapist (or you), can cut them into a suitable shape to fit your wheelchair. Although foam cushions have a shorter life span, their low cost still make them a popular item. Their cost: starting as low as $20 for a basic piece of 2" thick foam to over $300 for a shaped, new type memory foam.

Gel wheelchair cushions contain specially engineered gel fluids in cells or pouches usually attached to a foam base. Gel cushions are very comfortable due to their ability to distribute pressure. Their disadvantage is they weigh more.

I guess this can make them a little more difficult to move, lift and carry. Most (not all), gel cushions use a combination of foam and gel. The gel cells are usually set inside a layer of foam or foam shell. Their cost: starting as low as $35 to as high as $400.

Air flotation wheelchair cushions provide support through air filled chambers usually with many separate air cells. These cushions provide even pressure of air against your skin. Their main disadvantage is the possibility of air leakage because of a puncture, etc. They are very comfortable but also the most expensive. Their cost: starting at $200 up to about $400.

So, which wheelchair cushion is best for you? Obviously, you'll have to decide that.

After all, it's your backside trying to find all day comfort.

Owner of AssistiveLivingMobility.Com , Mr. Rougeaux has written various articles about mobility equipment and assistive living

Electric Wheelchairs and Power Mobility Scooters Deliver Freedom and Independence to the Handicapped

Several years ago, my daughter, a 17 years old college Freshman, was paralyzed from the waist down as the result of a fall. She was determined to continue on with college and needed a way to get around the campus. Fortunately an electric mobility scooter provided her with the freedom and mobility she needed during that difficult period in her life.

Without the aid of the electric mobility scooter, my daughter would have had to drop out of college and return home until she could recover, and at that time, no one knew if she would ever recover her ability to walk again. Thank God, she did regain her ability to walk only a short time later, but nevertheless, the electric mobility scooter provided not only the physical freedom and mobility but also the psychological boost she needed during the crisis period.

Electric wheelchairs and power mobility scooters deliver power mobility to elderly, seriously ill, and disabled individuals. Today, more than ever before, electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters help people, like my daughter, with limited mobility regain their freedom and independence.

"For 38% of the 54 million Americans with disabilities, mobility limitations and impairments are permanent. For these individuals, a variety of mobility aids and devices are necessary in order to provide support, motion and access, as well as to enable them to lead active and fulfilling lives." -- United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, http://www.ucpnyc.org

* Electric Wheelchairs vs. Electric Mobility Scooters

An electric wheelchair is a personal mobility device that usually has six wheels and is steered using a "joystick". Sometimes referred to as a motorized wheelchair, power wheelchair, or just power chairs, they generally offer superior in-home maneuverability, fit almost anywhere and turn on a dime. An electric wheelchair is primarily designed for people who need help getting around indoors.

The power mobility provided by electric wheelchairs has made a dramatic difference in many people's lives. The development of new technology in the industry has made it possible for citizens to obtain smaller, more lightweight and maneuverable motorized wheelchairs for use inside the home allowing people to move about in small places and complete their activities of daily living without being bed-bound or sent to nursing homes.

Medical electric mobility scooters, on the other hand, are personal electric scooters that have either three or four wheels and steer much like a bicycle, using a set of handlebars. Electric scooters are ideal for out-of-home activities, as they glide smoothly and easily over a variety of surfaces. There are even portable motorized scooters that can be stowed in the trunk of your car to take along with you.

Today's electric wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are easy-to-use, comfortable, safe and reliable.

Mobility is a critical aspect of everyday life. Being mobile enhances a person's ability to learn, interact with others, earn a living and participate in community life.

"Growth of the mobility-impaired community is increasing as the population ages, as the effects of obesity, and other neurological, rheumatoid, and physical ailments impair mobility. In addition, demand for power wheelchairs has grown due to demographics, technology development and consumer awareness." -- National Spinal Cord Injury Association, http://www.spinalcord.org

* Electric Wheelchairs and Electric Mobility Scooters Cost Considerations

Electric wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are usually available at little or NO cost to you, depending upon your insurance qualifications.

For Medicare coverage consideration, a written prescription for a scooter or power wheelchair must be received by a supplier from a primary care physician or treating practitioner within 30 days of a face-to-face examination.

To see if you qualify for a low cost or no cost electric wheelchair or mobility scooter, contact a professional mobility consultant who will work with your doctor to identify your mobility needs, coordinate your Medicare or insurance benefits and determine the best mobility solution for you.

Don't let physical impairments keep you down. Regain your freedom of mobility and independence with the electric wheelchair or mobility scooter that's right for you.

George Dodge of The Scooter Center and The Wheelchair Store can connect you to a Professional Mobility Consultant for a no-pressure, no-obligation mobility consultation to help explore your mobility needs.

Selecting a Wheel Chair Seat Cushion

A seat cushion or cooling wheel chair pad is an important accessory for those who spend extended time in a mobility chair. Sitting for long periods puts people at risk for developing pressure sores and bruises. In addition, vibration and heat can cause additional pain and discomfort.

Following is an overview of the seating pads and cushions available to wheel chair users.

FOAM CUSHIONS
These standard seat cushions are lightweight and inexpensive. They come in a variety of densities and sizes to accommodate the wheel chair seat. Yet, foam cushions typically last no longer than six to 12 months and should be checked regularly to ensure they are providing comfort and pressure relief.

GEL CUSHIONS
Gel cushions are heavy, distribute weight evenly, and provide good seating protection. While they are extremely durable, it is important to sure that gel cushions maintain their shape and the wheelchair user isn't "bottoming out" on the pad. If so, it needs to be replaced.

AIR CUSHIONS
These cushions have air chambers and can be inflated to adjust to the wheelchair user's comfort and sensitive areas. While lightweight and waterproof, they are subject to leaks and punctures, and should be checked regularly.

COOLING WHEEL CHAIR PADS
Cooling wheel chair pads are similar to cooling cushions people use on car seats and office chairs. They are specifically designed to reduce heat build-up and moisture from underneath the legs and buttocks that occur from extensive sitting. Cooling wheel chair pads offer pain relief and provide comfort for a number of hours, based on pad design and construction.

HYBRID AND OTHER TYPES OF CUSHIONS
Some manufacturers make cushions by combining materials like foam and gel. Others have developed new materials for their cushions and pads such as composite foam to enhance air circulation and moisture prevention.

Before deciding on a cushion, ask your health care professional which type is best for you. Then try different cushions and pads for yourself to see which you like the best and gives you the most comfort.

Jules Sowder is the owner of Mobility-Advisor.com and developed the site to serve as a resource to help people with physical disabilities live more independently

5 Tips to Choosing the Right Electric Wheelchair for You

If you or anyone that you are close with are wheelchair bound, then you know the limitations that they encompass. All too often doorways are not wide enough; hills are too steep to maneuver alone, not to mention the sore arms and blistered fingers. Enter the electric wheelchairs. These newer chairs are equipped with electric motors that replace the manual tire rotation that you may be accustomed to. Electric wheelchairs offer a chair bound person a freedom that was never within their reach before. However, it is still important to choose the right electric chair for you and your personal situation.

1- When beginning the process of selecting the correct electric wheelchair for your situation, it is important to know how much money that you have to work with. Call your medical insurance provider; they will be able to answer this question for you. You will also need to decide how much of your personal money will be available to add to the insurance companies figures. The average electric chair can run anywhere from $5,000.00 to over $30,000.00, keep this in mind when you are shopping.

2- You will need to decide upon such features as the height and support of the back that you will want. You personal physical limitations will help you determine this, for example, if you have little or no upper body muscle strength, it is recommended that the back be tilted at a 45 degree angle. Speak with a physical therapist or with your personal physician to determine the correct angle for you.

3- The control system that you choose will also be somewhat dependant upon your physical limitations. There are many types of systems to choose from, a joystick is very popular and works in much the same way as with a video game. However, if you do not have any arm control, you may need a chair that is equipped with a control system that is controlled by the head, the trunk of the body or through propulsion. Again, your doctor will be able to help you to decide which type of control system is right for you.

4- Once you get these basics of the electric wheelchair decided upon, it is time to customize it specifically for you. You can choose how much or how little padding should be added to the back of the chair, the type of leg and foot supports, height of the chair, even the fabric and paint that you prefer. These options may or may not increase the overall cost of the chair depending upon what the manufacturer offers.

5- It is very important that you take an electric wheelchair for a test drive before you agree to purchase it. Many companies will let you try it out for a period of time that ranges from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Taking advantage of this option will allow you to get the right wheelchair for you.

Visit http://wheelchairs-central.net or http://wheelchairs-expert.net to learn more about wheelchair ramps and wheelchair boat lift.

Examining the Different Types of Wheelchair Lifts

A wheelchair lift is a mechanical device used to lift wheelchairs, allowing easy access to people who use wheelchairs or have trouble stepping up. These devices are powered by electricity or hydraulics, but are designed to operate manually in the event that one of the power sources fails. Wheelchair lifts come in two designs, one is a retracting platform and the other is a fold-up lifting device.

Design and functions of Wheelchair Lifts

Wheelchair lifts are mainly designed to function for home use and hospital use. It is easy to operate, easy to install and virtually maintenance free. Every safety measures have been carefully designed into these lifts. The wheelchair lift has a non-slip platform, constant pressure switches, a low platform for easy roll-on/roll-off, safety barrier and railing, and rolled edges. Residential Wheelchair Lifts have maximum lift heights of 50 inches or 72 inches. These Wheelchair Lifts are strong enough to lift wheelchairs and scooters weighing 50pounds.They function with the help of a gearbox attached with a chain. Wheelchair lifts ensure a smooth up and down ride and requires little maintenance. They are manufactured completely attractive in its own style.

These lifts are ideal for buildings where it is not possible to accommodate a wheel chair ramp or an elevator. Wheel chair lifts are also economical and prevent from investing too much on ramps or elevators. Wheelchair lifts or Mobilift can provide handicapped access to indoor and outdoor locations very easily and instantly.

Different types of Wheelchair Lifts

There are different types of wheelchair lifts. They are:

- Inclined Platform Wheelchair lifts: The Inclined Platform wheelchair lifts are manufactured for indoor or outdoor applications. It can be found in residences, schools, churches and public buildings. These are very useful for people who have difficulty in climbing stairs.

- Vertical Platform Wheelchair lifts: The Vertical wheelchair lifts are customized to suit any commercial building application or it can be installed as a home elevator.

- Portable Wheelchair lifts: The Portable Wheelchair lift or the Mobilift is specially designed for easy functionality in school stages, outdoor bleachers, vertical raised platforms, and also in numerous other applications.

- Portable Vertical lifts: The Portable vertical lifts are designed to provide the functions of both Portable Wheelchair lift and Vertical wheelchair lifts and it has access to different other applications.

Rory H. Hawkins writes about wheelchair lifts and other interesting topics. For more information on used wheelchair lifts visit us today.

Wheelchairs Shopping 101

Shopping for a wheelchair is not as easy as choosing the right dress for your date tonight. People who shop for a wheelchair for the first time are often overwhelmed by the number of choices. When you are not able to get the right wheelchair your disability will seem to get worse instead of better. Keep in mind that every wheelchair user will have different needs. If you are unsure which wheelchair to buy you can consult your doctor or therapist for advice.

Factors that you have to consider in choosing the right wheelchair includes your age, body type, gender, and type of disability. If speed is important for you, you may prefer an electric wheelchair over a manual chair. Wheelchair tires should also be chosen based on your driving conditions. The price that you pay for your wheelchair will depend on the cost of the chair itself, the cost of addition features, and cost of wheelchair accessories, cost of training on how to use the wheelchair, replacement parts, maintenance costs and future wheelchair upgrades among others.

Remember that you would perhaps use your chair for a long time. Thus, as expensive as they may seem, comfort is still the most important factor in buying a wheelchair for an uncomfortable wheelchair is the same as being uneasy in your own skin.

Buying a used wheelchair is not always a good idea. There is nothing to ensure you that the used wheelchair will fit your needs. Since wheelchairs are individually customized medical devices they are generally not meant for resale. Thus, choosing the right wheelchair requires the collective input of a doctor, therapist and you to make sure that the right wheelchair is matched to you.

Nevertheless, with the increasing cost of health care it is understandable if people look for alternatives like buying used wheelchairs or scooters. Just remember though that if you decide to buy a used wheelchair, make sure that your size and weight is within the capacity of the used chair. Remember also that second hand wheelchairs don't have transferable warranties. This means that even if the warranty is still valid, if its ownership is transferred then the warranty would no longer be enforceable. So decide wisely when shopping for a used wheelchair.

To make sure that you are buying the right used wheelchair you can check on ads on the bulletin boards, websites and newsletters at your local rehabilitation hospital, independent living center or local disability organization. Do not rush into buying the first wheelchair that you see. Most importantly, do not buy a wheelchair simply because you like its style or color.

For comments and suggestions kindly visit Power Wheelchairs Online

Viojieley Gurrobat loves readings books in her spare time. She writes stories and poems about anything under the sun

Examining The Different Types Of Electric Wheelchairs

You have always used water and detergent to wash your clothes. Then why would you suddenly shift from the conventional methods of getting rid of stains from your garments and use a dry method? Is the method really dry and does it really get rid of the stains?

It is believed that the invention of dry cleaning was the result of an accident. The story says that a petroleum-base fluid had accidentally spilled on greasy fabric. The fluid quickly evaporated, taking the stains with it thus giving rise to a new method of cleaning garments - dry cleaning.

Contrary to common belief, dry cleaning is not completely a 'dry' process. Dry cleaning process uses a cleaning fluid in which all garments are immersed and cleaned in a liquid solvent and not in water. The fact that there is no water is the reason why the process is termed ?dry cleaning?. It removes dirt and stains in a more effective way than water does. The process of dry cleaning involves pretreatment of stains or spots using special cleansing chemicals. The second step of cleaning begins as the garments are loaded into a machine. Throughout the cleaning process the fluid is filtered to ensure its clarity.

The dry cleaning industry is fairly new and has evolved only during the last 75 years. Initially solvents like gasoline and kerosene and other volatile synthetic solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and trichlorethylene were used. These petroleum solvents were flammable and required adequate fire-prevention steps for safety. There was also a need for higher temperatures to dry and deodorize the garments, which made shrinkage and re-deposition of soil into the clothes more likely. These solvents were replaced by perchlorethylene (perc), which was not only non-flammable and non-combustible but was also of relatively low toxicity and can be efficiently reused and recycled and did a better job of cleaning. Perc is now the leading solvent for the dry cleaning industry.

Dry cleaning has the ability to dissolve grease and oils in a way that water cannot. It is an effective way to completely wipe out dark, fatty otherwise irremovable stains, without affecting the shape of the garment and altering the texture and the color of the fabric and prevents shrinkage, finish and fabric distortion. It enhances the look and life of items and kills dust mites and bacteria, giving you a safer and cleaner home environ. Dry cleaning is suitable for delicate fabrics and natural fibres such as wool and silk. These materials dryclean beautifully but can lose color, shrink or distort when washed in water. Synthetic fibres like polyester also respond well to dry cleaning.

Often we tend to ignore the wash care instructions on our garments. This may result in the garments losing color, shape and texture. A circle 'O' on the wash care tag of any garment designates 'dry cleang. A cross over the circle means the garment is not to be dry-cleaned. For best results garments should be handed over to professional dry cleaners.
Quentin B. Patterson writes about electric wheelchairs and other interesting topics. For more information on types of electric wheelchairs visit us today.