CHOOSING A WHEELCHAIR
A couple decades ago, the wheelchair market was limited to just a few brands and models. Now the options are impressive and power chairs can be customized for every level of disability. Your occupational therapist will assist you in getting a chair fitted and configured to your needs.
Some popular manual chairs are the Quickie and TiLite. Medicaid typically covers both brands. Quickies break down more often but some quads prefer them. The TiLite is lightweight which is nice. Many quads use gloves for manual wheeling. Favorites are baseball batting and weight lifting gloves and Mechanix work gloves.
Free Wheel is a popular attachment that runs about $600. Your wheelchair casters are lifted off the ground, turning your chair into a 3-wheeler, so you simply roll over any obstacle: dirt trails, curbs, grass, gravel, snow, and sand. The Firefly is an attachment to the front of your chair that has a motor and handlebars. It’s considered a recreational device, but some medical insurance plans do reimburse.
can go bike riding with friends and have no trouble keeping up. It keeps me outdoors and is a lot of fun.” Aaron, C7
With a lever-driven chair you don't have to push a rim on the wheel. This saves your shoulders from wear and tear that comes with standard rim pushing. The Wijit Wheelchair requires you to push half as much as a conventional wheelchair requires.
Folding chairs are great for portability but the rigid frames take more energy. Newer chairs have suspension systems as an option, but they add a little weight. Aftermarket products are also available to add suspension and they are sometimes approved for reimbursement by medical insurance.
You can buy high-performance rims from a company called Spinergy. They also make an innovative soft rubber push rim which goes between the rim and tire for an easier, low impact ride.
Your power chair should have “tilt” and “recline” functions. You should be able to access this feature and adjust your chair frequently for pressure relief. A recline system changes the seat-to-back angle by flattening out the back of the chair. A tilt system redistributes pressure from the buttocks and posterior thighs to the posterior trunk and head.
If you have even quite limited hand or finger function, you may try a power chair that allows you to manipulate a toggle with fingers or parts of your hand that have motor function.
The Ergo Joystick can replace typical goal-post style joystick handles. Incomplete quads with weak or impaired hand function find the ergonomic design of this wheelchair joystick effective and comfortable.
“I don't have hand function but my arms (not triceps) work. I use a regular goalpost joystick and rest my hand but use my arm to drive.” Tanisha, C5-6
Then there are power chairs for upper level quadriplegics which employ use of the head, chin, tongue, speech and breath.
- Chin Controls: Much like a joystick operated by hand, a chin control is simply a joystick operated by the chin.
“I've been using chin control with my lips for 16 years. I didn't like sip and puff and don't have the head movement for head control. The chin control lets you make more detailed movements.” Kyle, C3-4
- Tongue Controls: Using a dental mouthpiece that is affixed to the roof of your mouth, you are able to control your wheelchair.
- Sip-n-Puff Controls: Using your breath, you are able to control your wheelchair by inhaling (sip) or exhaling (puff).
“I prefer the sip n puff method, I use it in latch mode and I can let go of the straw while moving. The chin drive joystick jabs me in the face when I am reclined. I move my head too much to trust the headrest drive to not make my chair go crazy.” Christina, C6
“I have little range of motion with my neck being fused. I have not tried a head array, or chin control, but I like having a sip-and-puff. I thought it was surprisingly intuitive, and it also gives a place to attach my Camelbak (for independent drinking) and also my microphone for my computer. The only con to me is that it can get out of adjustment and not be easy for me to reach (with my limited neck range). But with a little care, it's generally pretty easy for a caregiver to readjust it.” Bill, C1-2
- Head Controls: Sensors in the head rest activate and navigate the chair as you tap on the back and sides of it.
“I've tried all the options in rehab. I only ever decided on head control for the last 13 years. The only con is limited hairstyles. And hats.” Jessica, C6-7
Try out multiple styles and see what works the best for you. Everyone is different, and every injury is different. These functions all have their pros and cons. Your device supplier should let you try the options.