I am completely new at getting around in a wheelchair. Being a gearhead I thought that nothing in the world could be easier. I just got a huge commupance this afternoon. Today was the first time that I've been out of the clinic on my own...ie: no power assist...my absolutely essential better half wasn't there to provide the motive power. I thought it would be a breeze to go down to the store for a beer and poor-boy sandwich and on to the port for a little R&R as I had an afternoon off of re-hab and seeing Wifey wasn't available I struck out on my own. Well don't you know the road down that way isn't las level as it would appear and the slightest tilt causes one to have to push harder with one arm or the other. As I've torn a ligament in my left biceps it would be just natural for the trip to lean to the left. I had a tiny curb to negotiate...an inch and a half!...couldn't climb over it for the life of me. I hear a lady across the street call out "wait...wait...I'm coming". She very kindly comes to my assistance but she can't get me over the curb. Upon looking under the chair to see what was blocking she noticed that MY foot was the obstacle! It had slipped off the footrest and gotten jammed in between the front wheel and the curb. I could not feel it. Well, make a long story short, I got back with blisters on my thumb, sore shoulders and elbows and a realization that I know nothing about getting around on this effing contraption. For one thing I learned that it's easier to get over small curbs backwards (when a kindly stranger isn't around) but that took a little trial and error on my part. It's a good thing a truck wasn't bearing down on me at the time. I also learned that I need to learn a lot. Please, you wheelchair adepts, help me and hopefully anybody else who is a neophyte to overcome this essential phase in our developement with any advice or tips that you can share with us. No advice is too basic as I've learned today.
Ouch the stuck foot isn't good! That's something you'll eventually end up monitoring and making sure is ok. I have a little bit of sensation below my injury and can usually feel if my foot has fallen off my foot rest. When wheeling outdoors it does fall off quite a bit due do all the vibrations caused by the ashphalt & bumps. I can get over 1-2 inch bumps myself as long as I'm on a level surface and that comes with practice. Your injury is pretty low down so you'll eventually be a master at wheeling. The torn ligament isn't good though so make sure that heals up before pushing yourself too hard.
I've ordered a wheelchair that has a cup at the aft end of the footrest to hold the heel from slipping off. Not knowing where the hell my legs are is a bother especially at night in bed. I had a bed here with a baseboard that had a space just large enough to stick my toes through. I nearly broke my leg one night rolling over in my sleep and I didn't notice until I was all twisted over and couldn't roll over any more and was feeling pain in my hips. It was most bizarre. This was early on and I was still wearing the brace! When I mentioned this to the doctoer he had them change my bed "stat". They are good for that here...very pro-active.
I tore a bicep ligament in my right arm several years ago so I was aware of the symptoms that developed in my left arm (popeye muscle; bruise at the elbow even though the pain was at the shoulder, etc) and actualy told the doctor what was wrong. He's sending me for scan on Friday and since I've mentioned that I wake up with numb hands he's sending me for MRI before my appointment to see my surgeon. I hope I don't have more trials and tribulations at the cervical level.
I've seen wheelchair wheels with hub motors somewhere but have not been able to find anything on the interweb. Can you point me in the right direction please?
It takes a bit of practice hmalbet, but you will get there. I was given wheelchair use training when I was in rehab, terrified at first, but after a few weeks it all came together for me. About the only thing I can't do is wheel along on my back wheels. I can get up bumps and one step. Also I have a strap behind my legs that stops my feet from falling off, that has happened a couple of times in the beginning because I refused to have the strap on the chair, thought it made me look like a cripple, haha, but it's always on my chair now.
I've ordered a wheelchair that has a cup at the aft end of the footrest to hold the heel from slipping off. Not knowing where the hell my legs are is a bother especially at night in bed. I had a bed here with a baseboard that had a space just large enough to stick my toes through. I nearly broke my leg one night rolling over in my sleep and I didn't notice until I was all twisted over and couldn't roll over any more and was feeling pain in my hips. It was most bizarre. This was early on and I was still wearing the brace! When I mentioned this to the doctoer he had them change my bed "stat". They are good for that here...very pro-active.
I tore a bicep ligament in my right arm several years ago so I was aware of the symptoms that developed in my left arm (popeye muscle; bruise at the elbow even though the pain was at the shoulder, etc) and actualy told the doctor what was wrong. He's sending me for scan on Friday and since I've mentioned that I wake up with numb hands he's sending me for MRI before my appointment to see my surgeon. I hope I don't have more trials and tribulations at the cervical level.
I've seen wheelchair wheels with hub motors somewhere but have not been able to find anything on the interweb. Can you point me in the right direction please?
Oh man that doesn't sound good at all. The last thing you want is another injury so take good care of yourself haha. I'm too conscious of my lower body at times but that's probably for my own good.
Also I have a strap behind my legs that stops my feet from falling off, that has happened a couple of times in the beginning because I refused to have the strap on the chair, thought it made me look like a cripple, haha, but it's always on my chair now.
Yeah I removed my strap and can't find it anymore and it's really annoying when my feet fall behind the foot plate because I can't get it back on. The strap is a must!
I've ordered a wheelchair that has a cup at the aft end of the footrest to hold the heel from slipping off. Not knowing where the hell my legs are is a bother especially at night in bed. I had a bed here with a baseboard that had a space just large enough to stick my toes through. I nearly broke my leg one night rolling over in my sleep and I didn't notice until I was all twisted over and couldn't roll over any more and was feeling pain in my hips. It was most bizarre. This was early on and I was still wearing the brace! When I mentioned this to the doctoer he had them change my bed "stat". They are good for that here...very pro-active.
I tore a bicep ligament in my right arm several years ago so I was aware of the symptoms that developed in my left arm (popeye muscle; bruise at the elbow even though the pain was at the shoulder, etc) and actualy told the doctor what was wrong. He's sending me for scan on Friday and since I've mentioned that I wake up with numb hands he's sending me for MRI before my appointment to see my surgeon. I hope I don't have more trials and tribulations at the cervical level.
I've seen wheelchair wheels with hub motors somewhere but have not been able to find anything on the interweb. Can you point me in the right direction please?
The MRI before you appointment speaks loads of your doctor. I'll tell you a story later.
Also I have a strap behind my legs that stops my feet from falling off, that has happened a couple of times in the beginning because I refused to have the strap on the chair, thought it made me look like a cripple, haha, but it's always on my chair now.
Thanks for that...I haven't got my chair yet but I was thinking the same thing...don't want to look like I'm disabled or anything. I'll leave the straps on and save being even more damaged. Screw vanity...nobody really cares in the long run do they?
hmalbet, look at a thing called the firefly wheelchair attachment by rio mobility, about half the price of the wheels DJ showed you, and it's east on and easy off. It saved me
Also hmalbet you will soon learn that ANYTHING to do with disability is 20 times the cost that a AB person pays for things, so get used to it old mate.
Also hmalbet you will soon learn that ANYTHING to do with disability is 20 times the cost that a AB person pays for things, so get used to it old mate.
DJ, Here's a chance for us to wave our flag in a show of Canadian chauvinism:
from Wkipedia: The electric-powered wheelchair was invented by George Klein who worked for the National Research Council of Canada, to assist injured veterans after World War II.[1]
I've seen bicycle e-bike adapters for under 500$. These are complete kits to convert bikes. Has anyone tried to adapt to a chair? there looks like some promise here. Any McGyvers out there?
DJ, Here's a chance for us to wave our flag in a show of Canadian chauvinism:
from Wkipedia: The electric-powered wheelchair was invented by George Klein who worked for the National Research Council of Canada, to assist injured veterans after World War II.[1]
Aweee yeahhh! It's too bad we don't get a discount on power chairs for inventing them though
I've seen bicycle e-bike adapters for under 500$. These are complete kits to convert bikes. Has anyone tried to adapt to a chair? there looks like some promise here. Any McGyvers out there?