Its all trial and error with the wheelchair situation, taking into account I am very independent. I can walk a bit and so I push ( rest on ) the wheelchair.
I have bought a small wheeled wheelchair and recently went on holiday with my husband and felt uneasy having to say “can you push me there, there, there.” Soooooo through me feeling uncomfortable I thought about a big wheeled wheelchair where i would be able to propell myself there, there and there.
Can I please hear ( read ) your personal experiences of big/small wheeled wheelchairs…
I thought about a self-propelled large-wheeled chair but ended up getting a folding lightweight electric chair as there are times when I could be too fatigued to propel myself. Also, my core strength has deserted me so I might not be so good at pushing myself.
Like you, I’m ambulant but can’t manage long distances. Can use the chair as a rollator with the motors disengaged (freewheel mode) for some manoeuvres, or if I fancy a walk to relieve stiffness. Obviously the weight of motors and batteries makes it a lot heavier than a manual chair but I’m still strong in my upper body to lift it in & out of the car.
Not an answer to your original question but does this help?
Graeme
The only problem i would have with an electric wheelchair is the weight of pushing it ( when i felt ok to push ) if i cane across even a slight rise in the pavement, then it would be hard work pushing it
I’ve been using a self propelled chair pretty much full time for 17 years now. I’ve progressed from folding to a rigid chair now. Rigid is more efficient to push than folding, and lighter too, so you get more go for your push. The downside is that it can be trickier getting it in a car, and will take up more space at home if you’re not using it. And, of course, more expensive.
If there’s anything more specific you want to know, then ask away
Dan
Ohhh thank you. I spent most of last night looking at the difference in them all. I saw some where the arm rests tilt backwards thus freeing up space in order to propell yourself. What is your view on this type ?
My neighbour has a big wheeled wheelchair so i am going to borrow that at the weekend and see how i fair with it. !!! Hey ho ! Haaaa. Its allllll trial and error…
Cheers, just had a look. Tilting the armrests back isn’t to help with pushing, but rather to help with transferring out of the chair, especially if using a transfer board. You’ll be fine to push it with the armrests down
Dan
