This steel framed folding wheelchair features removable footrests, full length fixed arms and solid MAG wheels. Suitable for short excursions and basic transport needs, it can be either propelled by the user or pushed by the caregiver.
- 8″ / 20.3 cm front wheels
- 24″ / 61cm rear MAG wheel
- Adjustable seat heights: 19″ / 48cm, 19.8″ / 50.5cm, 20.8″ / 52.8cm
- Flip up PVC armrests
- Swing away footrests
- Plastic side panels
- PVC cushion seat with rear storage pocket
- Weight: 40.70 lbs
- Weight capacity: 300lbs/136kg
The wheelchair is one of the most commonly used assistive devices to promote mobility and enhance quality of life for people who have difficulties in walking (e.g. a person with spinal cord injuries resulting in quadriplegia or paraplegia, muscular dystrophy,etc). Wheelchair mobility opens up opportunities for wheelchair users to study, work, engage in social activities and access services such as healthcare.[1] In addition to providing mobility, an appropriate wheelchair benefits the physical health and quality of life of the users by helping in reducing common problems such as pressure sores, progression of deformities and improve respiration and digestion.
To ensure effective mobility, wheelchair users need a wheelchair which fits them correctly and meets their specific needs[2].
Developed and developing countries
Many people in the world have a physical disability and require a wheelchair:[3]
- In the 34 developed countries, an estimated 10,000,000 people (i.e. 1% of the population) require a wheelchair
- In the 156 developing countries, around 121,800,000 people are estimated to require a wheelchair (i.e. at least 2% of the population)
- The world population is 7,091,500,000, so approximately 131,800,000 people (or 1.85% of the global population) require a wheelchair
Many people in the world need a wheelchair, but don’t have one:[3]
- In developed countries, less than 500,000 require a wheelchair, but do not have access to one (5% of 10 million)
- In developing countries, at least 109,620,000 people require a wheelchair, but do not have access to one (90% of 121.8 million)
- Thus, just over 110,000,000 people do not have access to a wheelchair
Appropriate Wheelchair
A wheelchair is appropriate when it meets the individual’s needs and environmental conditions; provides proper fit and postural support based on sound biomechanical principles; is safe and durable; is available and can be accessed, maintained and sustained in the country at the most economical and affordable price. [4] An appropriate wheelchair can assist in opening up a new world for the user, from exclusion to inclusion, participation in all societal activities, and sports and recreation, which all lead to independence, better health and improved quality of life. [5]
| Physical Needs | Intended Use |
|---|---|
| The ability to adjust or customize a wheelchair to meet the user’s physical needs will vary, depending on the type of wheelchair. Wheelchairs should be available in at least a small range of sizes and allow some basic adjustments. Wheelchairs designed for temporary uses (e.g. to be used in a hospital to move patients from one ward to another) are not designed to provide the user with a close fit, postural support or pressure relief, while for long-term users, a wheelchair must fit well and provide good postural support and pressure relief. A range of seat widths and depths, and the possibility to adjust at least the footrest and backrest height are important in ensuring that the wheelchair can be fitted correctly. Other common adjustments and options include cushion types, postural supports and an adjustable wheel position. Highly adjustable or individually modified wheelchairs are designed for long-term users with special postural needs. Such wheelchairs often have additional components added to help support the user. | Wheelchair designs vary to enable users to safely and effectively use their wheelchair in the environment in which they live and work. A wheelchair that is used primarily in rough outdoor environments needs to be robust, more stable and easier to propel over rough ground. A three-wheeled wheelchair would be well suited to outdoor use. In comparison, a wheelchair that is used indoors on smooth surfaces needs to be easy to manoeuvre in small indoor spaces. Many users live and work in a range of settings, and a compromise is therefore often necessary such as a robust wheelchair with a relatively short wheelbase but large castor wheels. This wheelchair could be used both indoors and outdoors. Users need to be able to get in and out of the wheelchair easily, to propel it efficiently and to repair it. Users may need to transport their wheelchair, for example in a bus or car. Different wheelchair designs allow for wheelchairs to be made more compact in different ways. Some are cross-folding, while others have quick-release wheels and the backrest folds forwards. |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.