The wheelchair is one of the most
common disability aids that assist people in maintaining their mobility despite
the physical infirmities. Over the past 50 years, wheelchairs have evolved
considerably from simple two-wheeled, manually driven devices to more
sophisticated and motorized devices that use advanced technologies for
automated operations. On going through
various websites related to resources for disabled adults, you can gather
more information about the latest types of wheelchairs available.
The medical condition of the person
primarily influences the choice of the wheelchair. At the same time, some other
factors like the physical health and strength of the person using the device,
the kind of lifestyle, and the budget. Selecting a suitable wheelchair depends
on the complete understanding of the physical infirmity and the type of
assistance the person requires that varies between individuals. From manual to motorized wheelchairs and wheelchairs
for sitting to reclining and standing, the devices can provide a variety of
assistance to ensure comfortable sitting and easy maneuvering.
This article should help you choose wheelchairs by
considering the disability of the person.
Spinal
cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries can have
debilitating effects on people that result in different types of impairment
depending on the kind of spinal injury. For example, some injuries like
quadriplegia can paralyze the body below the neck, including the legs and arms.
However, in some exceptional cases, people might be able to move their legs and
arms slightly. Another kind of injury is paraplegia that affects the lower
extremities of the body that do not function. In both cases, for regaining
independence and mobility, motorized wheelchairs are the best option. Moreover,
standing electric wheelchairs assist users in moving to a standing position and
offer many physiological and other health benefits.
Amputations
Surgical removal of any part of the
limb or extremity, in full or part, such as the arm, hand, foot, leg, finger,
or toe, amounts to amputation. Although there might be many reasons for
amputations, physical injury, poor circulation, infection, nacreous tumor
growth, and frostbite are common causes of amputation. People undergoing
amputation of the lower body part would especially need the assistance of
wheelchairs for mobility. However, besides using wheelchairs, there are other kinds of devices for
assisting in movement. For general transfer applications, universal slings can be used for lifting. They are easy to fit and support. For example, prosthetics like
artificial limbs are often effective in helping people maintain their mobility.
But, wheelchairs are more popular among amputees who have lost the function of
the lower part of the body as they can enjoy more freedom and independence in
moving around. In addition, specially designed wheelchairs are more comfortable
and convenient to use.
Cerebral
palsy
Cerebral palsy affects 800,000
Americans, and most of them depend on wheelchairs. Cerebral palsy is a disorder
that results in brain damage during childbirth. The effects can be mild or
severe, but, in any case, they affect the motor functioning and brain. The
problems manifest in the form of limited muscle control, difficulty with
coordination and control, problems with reflexes, and oral motor problems. For
many people who have cerebral palsy, motorized wheelchairs provide the right
kind of assistance in movements.
Those who have Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis can benefit from wheelchair use.
