Navigating Your Wheelchair Journey: Expert Insights

If you use a wheelchair—full time, part time or just exploring the option—there’s a lot to learn about these mobility devices before you find your perfect match.

I approach wheelchair assessments by looking at the whole picture: what activities you’ll be doing, which environments you’ll be in and your unique functional abilities and limitations. I consider everything from your postural control and tissue health to continence management, transfer abilities, body mechanics, physical strength, coordination, visual acuity and cognitive function—just to name a few of the factors I take into account when recommending a wheelchair solution.

Most importantly I place great emphasis on your personal identity. True independence is not just physical autonomy but emotional and psychological wellbeing. That’s why I’m excited by the growing range of wheelchairs available in the market today.

Key Decision Points

Movement Method: Wheelchair propulsion varies greatly—some require an assistant’s effort, others are user powered, many have batteries, some use body weight dynamics and some combine several methods. Think about your intended use—will you need assistance for short journeys or more autonomy and self directed mobility?

Usage Context: Consider your typical environment—will you be moving indoors, outdoors or across various settings? A key advantage wheelchairs have over mobility scooters is their versatility. Beyond finding frames that fit your body size many chairs have interchangeable wheels, tyres, cushioning and foot supports for different activities. Their compact footprint compared to scooters is particularly useful in tight spaces making them ideal for home use.

Self Propelled Wheelchairs

Push rim propulsion is the classic self movement technique, but some people benefit greatly from foot propulsion – removing footplates and using leg strength to pull themselves forward works a treat for some.

This is especially useful when navigating narrow doorways where your knuckles might otherwise catch or tight turns in small rooms. For these situations look for chairs with individual footplates that detach or fold away rather than single piece footboards that might restrict knee flex when folded and catch your heels.

If you have upper body strength for self propulsion make sure you have enough range of motion. Rear wheel positioning varies between models so different shoulder movement is required. Wheels positioned further back gives more stability but requires more shoulder extension with each push.

For efficient self propulsion technique reach behind to grasp the push rims (avoid the dirty tyres) rather than reaching down to the centre of the wheel. Or look for models like the Ventor Sport with forward positioned wheels that minimise the reach.

For those who cover long distances regularly protective gloves – such as gel padded fingerless ones – are a must for skin protection.

Think about joining specialised workshops that focus on improving your wheelchair handling skills. There are many techniques that separate novices from experienced users: backward hill navigation, stationary rotation and kerb negotiation are skills worth mastering if you venture out of the home regularly.

New to self propulsion? Start with dual purpose chairs with attendant handles like the CareCo Ergo Pro Self Propelled Crash Tested model until you build up enough stamina to be completely independent.

A very useful feature is the ability to transport the vehicle while seated – invaluable for those who find transfers difficult but need to be transported in a car.

Transit Wheelchairs

When relying on assistance for wheelchair movement make sure helpers know how to navigate ramps and kerbs – potentially anxiety inducing situations for passengers!

Descend level changes in reverse to minimise falling risks. Helpers should use the tipping lever near the rear wheels when negotiating kerbs. Take the I-GO Airrex LT Transit Wheelchair, for instance – it’s remarkably lightweight, comes with adjustable seat width options, and includes padded seating to maximise user comfort and support.

Make sure carers know how to use the brakes and engage them during transfers. Equally important: proper footplate use. Adequate foot support reduces sacral pressure and promotes good posture and prevents back discomfort.Power assist is a game changer for transit chairs. In fact devices like the S-Drive Dual Powerstroll can turn manual chairs into semi powered chairs. Think of inclines or shopping trips – power assist activated by a simple switch can support your carer and increase mobility time.

Powered Wheelchair Options

Today we have hands-free options using gyroscopic technology and compact motorised solutions that fold to suitcase size, like the iCONNECT Zora Carbon Powerchair – powered mobility has never been more accessible!

Standard joystick controlled models offer simplicity. You can still maintain your independence with minimal hand function, requiring only a small amount of physical effort. But remember your responsibility for safe operation of a powered vehicle. 

For first timers consider these tips:

• To stay safe, make sure the power is switched off while stationary to prevent any unintentional movement, and when turning it back on, begin at the lowest speed setting to avoid sudden acceleration.

• Indoors remove loose floor coverings and trailing cables to prevent instability and consider central powered models for narrow corridors.

• Use tilt functions before tackling ramps for extra security. Without this feature sit upright with your head and shoulders against the backrest to counter forward falling sensations.

• Approach ramps perpendicularly to stay stable and grip the joystick base not the tip for better control.

• Alternative control mechanisms exist for those with grip or reach limitations often customisable through occupational therapy services.

Personalisation: Beyond Standard Configurations

After surgery, with limited knee movement or swelling in the lower limbs, standard wheelchairs may fit your body but require adaptations for medical compliance or comfort optimisation.

Leg elevation accessories are a simple solution. The Ergo Pro SP/Transit - Elevating Leg Rest shows how it’s done.

Amputation may require special support boards; walking aid users may need attachment brackets.

Be aware that additional accessories can affect stability and weight distribution and may require longer wheelbase configurations.

And don’t underestimate proper seating support! We’ll have a separate discussion on this important topic alone!