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| Power wheelchair used by author. Please click here to view on Flickr. |
How many people believe that a wheelchair is a one-size-fits-all device? Virtually everyone, unless an individual is physically handicapped.
Prologue
Perhaps the biggest misconception that people without disabilities have regarding wheelchairs is that they are designed for nearly everybody, regardless of size ("The One"). The same can be said for virtually any other type of adaptive equipment, including the electric-powered wheelchair. Throughout the blog post, the reader will learn about why that fact is dead wrong. The main takeaway: do not purchase a wheelchair at any store, even online. (See the "Disclaimer" and "Sources" sections at the end of this post.)
Wheelchair Science 101
On the contrary, the wheelchair fitting process is far more intricate. In a YouTube video from NCHPAD (National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability), Mary Allison Cook mentions that the "[wheel]chair [should] look like an extension of [the user's] body." The same video also outlines a series of pointers that the user should be mindful of, as enumerated below.
- "Fit" (Allison Cook);
- "Taper" (Allison Cook);
- "Center of Gravity" (Allison Cook);
- "Wheel Size and Type" (Allison Cook);
- "Seat Back" (Allison Cook);
- "Accessories" (Allison Cook)
Speaking of intricacies, there are also a series of 'measurements' that should be taken (Krahm). The 17-minute video hyperlinked in this paragraph (see the previous sentence) targets physical therapy students. (Not to mention, medical jargon is used extensively.) In an article for Verywell Health, Brian Carmody outlines a number of "[s]teps" that "[d]etermine [w]heelchair [f]it." He also mentions multiple ways by which "[p]roper fit" might influence bodily function. That is probably why measurements were taken at every single part of the author's body prior to chair delivery.
Epilogue
If a wheelchair is prescribed for you, please allow a trained medical professional to assist a client with the fitting process. This fact is applicable regardless of whether the prospective user's chair will be powered by means of electric or manual. As mentioned earlier, wheelchairs are not what Karman Healthcare describes as "one size fits all." That also means a store-bought chair is not the proper method. (See the "Disclaimer" section below.)
Disclaimer
The author and GAM Productions are presenting the information herein solely for informational purposes. This blog post does not serve as a substitute for consultation, advice, or treatment that involve a healthcare professional. The parties mentioned above shall not be held responsible for any injury or injuries that may affect the reader of this post. Neither GAM Productions or the author is considered a healthcare professional or provider.
Sources
Allison Cook, Mary. “How To: Choose a Wheelchair.” YouTube,
uploaded by National Center on Health, Physical Activity,
and Disability (NCHPAD), 12 Aug. 2013,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc1aDJgdzzk.
Carmody, Brian. "How to Determine Proper Fit In a Wheelchair."
Verywell Health, Dotdash, 21 Apr. 2017,
www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-determine-proper-fit-in-a-wheelchair-2318275.
Accessed 22 Aug. 2019.
edward. “Disabled - How to Choose the Right Wheelchair.” Karman Healthcare.
Karman Healthcare, Inc., 22 July 2013,
www.karmanhealthcare.com/blog/2013/07/22/disabled-how-to-choose-a-wheelchair/.
Accessed 25 Aug. 2019.
Krahm, Julia. "Wheelchair measurements,". YouTube,
19 Oct. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqTEfY1jm2k.
"The One Size Fits All Wheelchair." Karman Healthcare.
Karman Healthcare, Inc.,
www.karmanhealthcare.com/the-one-size-fits-all-wheelchair/.
Accessed 22 Aug. 2019.
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