Are you learning to use a manual wheelchair for the first time? Though you’re experiencing the excitement of gaining more comfortable mobility, there’s certainly a learning curve to the process. Use these five tips to make using a manual wheelchair easier.
Practice in Your Home
Start by mastering your wheelchair in a familiar setting—your own home. Practice moving through doorways, turning in tight spaces, and transferring to and from furniture. If you’re physically able, you can also try to learn some helpful tricks, such as wheelies.
Practicing at home allows you to build your skills in an environment where you feel safe.
Bonus Tip
Move objects and rearrange furniture to create clear, accessible paths while you’re learning.
Make Accessibility Upgrades
A few simple tweaks around your home can make a big difference in how easy it is to navigate the space in your new mobility aid. Consider these upgrades:
- grab bars in the bathrooms
- ramps for entryways
- zero-entry showers
- lower counters
These upgrades will improve day-to-day convenience and reduce frustration as you learn to use your wheelchair.
Bonus Tip
You can find resources or funding options for accessibility modifications from local organizations or online.
Plan Your Routes When Traveling
Getting around outdoors or in unfamiliar places is much harder in a wheelchair, but you probably don’t want to stay at home all the time. When you venture out of the house, make sure you have an accessible route in mind and tools to overcome challenges you encounter. For instance, there are several apps for wheelchair users on the go that indicate where wheelchair-accessible routes and establishments are.
Keep Your Wheelchair Maintained
If you don’t take care of your mobility aid, it will eventually become more difficult to maneuver, whether because of loose screws, worn-out brakes, depressed cushions, or flattening tires. Make it a habit to inspect your wheelchair regularly. Keep the tires inflated and all moving parts oiled and tightened. Not only will these tasks make the chair easier to use, but they’ll also help it last longer.
Ask Your Community for Advice
Finally, you can learn a lot from other people who have learned and mastered using a manual wheelchair. They can provide you with helpful tips and advice to make the process easier. The people who have been in your shoes are almost always happy to help.
Learning to use a manual wheelchair effectively might take time, but it gets easier with practice and the right mindset. We hope this advice helps you feel empowered to tackle new challenges and build independence in your daily life. You’ve got this!
