tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post3526087307602831080..comments2023-09-25T05:51:39.963-07:00Comments on The Gifts of MS: Wheelchair lessonsRobert Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861491569742630629noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post-85584413864959182862012-06-02T20:26:36.235-07:002012-06-02T20:26:36.235-07:00The sad thing is that so many people, on the cusp ...The sad thing is that so many people, on the cusp of needing a wheelchair (or some other mobility aid) do use one for a day, and come away from the experience swearing that they'll never use a wheelchair, that a wheelchair is utterly impractical - completely unaware that something much better by the same name is out there and could be helpful to them.Katjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146656003138371520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post-39781532218173784122012-06-02T18:22:48.236-07:002012-06-02T18:22:48.236-07:00Katja: Thanks, that explains a lot.
Basically ind...Katja: Thanks, that explains a lot.<br /><br />Basically indestructable rather than user-friendly. Proof, as ever, that "one size fits all" really means "one size fits all <i>badly</i>."<br /><br />"Inappropriate for active people who use wheelchairs for personal mobility"... well, I must say, I <i>do</i> feel better about disliking it so much. Informative, it indeed was. If anyone needs motivation to keep <i>out</i> of those devices, just use one for a day... Oh, yes, you'll be motivated, all right. (Grumble...)Robert Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861491569742630629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post-73997710437932631942012-06-02T10:32:58.145-07:002012-06-02T10:32:58.145-07:00Here we go, from "Rehabilitation Engineering ...Here we go, from "Rehabilitation Engineering Applied to Mobility and Manipulation", by Rory A. Cooper:<br /><br />"7.2.1 Depot (institutional) wheelchair<br /><br />"The depot or institutional wheelchair is essentially the same wheelchair that was issued to veterans in the 1940s. The wheelchairs may be a bit lighter, but the basic frame is unchanged. Depot wheelchairs are intended for institutional use where several people may use the same wheelchair. These wheelchairs are typically used in airports, hospitals, and nursing care facilities. Generally, they are inappropriate for active people who use wheelchairs for personal mobility (figure 7.2). Depot wheelchairs are designed to be inexpensive, accommodate large variations in body size, to be low-maintenance, and to be attendant-propelled. Hence, they are generally heavier and their performance is limited."Katjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146656003138371520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post-53675281323007135382012-05-31T15:49:45.516-07:002012-05-31T15:49:45.516-07:00"Depot" wheelchairs? Perhaps because you..."Depot" wheelchairs? Perhaps because you'd find them at Home Depot? Home of clunky equipment of ALL kinds...Robert Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861491569742630629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post-5154290018100519572012-05-30T19:52:44.212-07:002012-05-30T19:52:44.212-07:00Exactly. The chair you borrowed probably weighed o...Exactly. The chair you borrowed probably weighed on the order of 60 lbs. By contrast, my chair weighs about 22 lbs with wheels and cushion.<br /><br />Those big clunky chairs, for some reason, are called 'depot wheelchairs'.Katjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146656003138371520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post-14857308772833217702012-05-30T16:56:53.732-07:002012-05-30T16:56:53.732-07:00Katja: Well said. The one I borrowed was one of th...Katja: Well said. The one I borrowed was one of the clunky, old, WICKED heavy models that have been around forever. I understand that the new ones are still heavier than the translators, but not <i>as</i> heavy as the old "Ironside"-era models.<br /><br />They may actually be heavier than 19th-century wheelchairs the theater has rented from prop shops.Robert Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861491569742630629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post-22253665869284439672012-05-30T09:11:08.569-07:002012-05-30T09:11:08.569-07:00Robert, this is spot on! Your assessments are so a...Robert, this is spot on! Your assessments are so accurate -- and I've experienced them all. Suffice it to say, though, we're still in much better shape than countries across the pond. It's all pretty much non-accessible. Thanks for the excellent evaluation.<br />Peace,<br />MuffMuffiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04542678482763101104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786963816895631219.post-40247213069789402142012-05-30T08:02:17.795-07:002012-05-30T08:02:17.795-07:00This is a great comparison between different mobil...This is a great comparison between different mobility aids. One thing I'd add is that any standard manual wheelchair (big wheeled push it yourself wheelchair) that you borrow is going to be bigger, heavier, wider, more uncomfortable and harder to push than a manual wheelchair that is properly fitted for you. Think of it as grabbing some random shoes (that are large enough for the largest person who might need them) off a rack and trying to walk around in them all day.<br /><br />So if you find yourself using a manual wheelchair occasionally , it may be worth investigating having your doctor write a prescription, getting a seating evaluation, and purchasing your own lighter weight, appropriately sized chair.Katjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146656003138371520noreply@blogger.com