Monday, August 27, 2018
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Friday, August 10, 2018
Mono Tube Frame versus Dual Tube Frame
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Monday, August 6, 2018
Rigid Frame Chairs Versus Folding Frame Chairs
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There was a time, back in the 1970s and early 80s, that the vast majority of wheelchairs were folding frame. That has changed dramatically over the years. At some point in the mid -1980s, I went from my folding chair to a rigid frame chair and have stuck with rigid frame ever since. So, what is the advantages and disadvantages of rigid and folding frame wheelchairs?
Let’s start with a general statement: Well designed and fitted rigid frame wheelchairs perform better than well designed and fitted folding wheelchairs! Rigid frame chairs are more rigid, have less flex in the frame and are easier to push. A quick look at wheelchair sports wheelchairs shows that, for sports that require speed and agility, no one plays in a folding frame wheelchair.
Rigid frame chairs are also generally significantly lighter as there areless parts and hardware (eg. Crossbars, fold up footplates, removable legrests). This is important for people who lift their own wheelchair in
and out of the car, and is also one of the reasons they are easier to
push. Rigid frame wheelchairs have less moving parts (eg. folding
cross bars, removable side guards, flip up footrests) which results in
less maintenance and breakages. Because they are welded into a rigid frame they are stronger and hold up to the rigors of travel, knocks, and bumps much better.
In addition, rigid frame chairs are generally able to be built with a lot more customisation. It is important to understand the difference
between custom made and custom configurable. A truly custom-made
wheelchair will be built around the person and not have limited options on measurement like front leg hanger angles, seat length, seat width, backrest height and angle, position of front castors etc. A good indication of whether something is custom made is to ask if the manufacturer can provide a CAD drawing of the wheelchair.
Given all the advantages of rigid frame chairs, why would someone use a folding frame chair? If someone has been using a folding frame wheelchair for a while and has developed their technique for transportation and are happy with the performance, then they will likely stay with what they are familiar with and is working for them.
A good number of people use roof mounted hoists on their vehicles that work best with folding wheelchairs. This in itself is reason enough to stick with a folding chair. Another strong reason people will use a folding chair is for transfers, especially standing transfers. With lift up footrests and swing away legrests, folding frame wheelchairs work much better for standing transfers.
Some people find folding frame wheelchairs easier to store and lift into vehicles. While the advancements in rigid frame chairs have made them smaller and very convenient to store in vehicles, and are lighter to lift, some people find folding frames work better for them.
Finally, folding frame wheelchairs work better for people who foot propel their wheelchairs. The option for “hemi” height with swing away legrests makes foot propelling possible.
Overall there are significant advantages to rigid frame chairs over folding frame chairs, but in the end it boils down to what the user prefers!
Monday, August 6, 2018
Functional Mobility versus Exercise: Should Propelling a Manual Wheelchair be Exercise?
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To answer this question let’s start by defining what functional mobility is. Functional mobility is the ability for someone to move around in their environment. We all have to move around in our environments, whether it is our home or community, to be able to complete all of our daily activities. For an individual with a mobility impairment, this might mean that you need a walker, orthotics, or for this discussion, a wheelchair to move around in your environment. Using myself as an example - in order for me to complete my daily activities I will move around by walking. This is not exercise for me. I need to be able to move around all day. Now imagine if I had to skip or run every time I moved. This would be not only exhausting, but also a lot of work for my body. I would likely not be able to complete all the tasks or participate in all the activities that I wanted to each day if I had to skip or run everywhere. Therefore, my options would be to either rely on someone else to help or I would simply not be able to participate.
Keeping this theory in mind, then the same thought process should hold true for a person who uses a wheelchair as their means of mobility. If it is exercise to propel the chair, then you can become exhausted before the day even begins. You might not be able to participate in certain activities or engage in your community if you are exhausted because you are constantly “exercising”.
Functional Mobility should not be exercise! Functional mobility is a right for all of us, no matter what form of mobility we use.
Pushing a wheelchair can be exercise, like a brisk walk or jogging. But remember, not all able-bodied people choose this as their exercise. Also, the upper limbs are more vulnerable to injury than lower limbs so “pushing for exercise” needs to be done in a way that does not present a danger of upper limb injury. We will explore this more in later blogs specifically about shoulder injury prevention.
Per Udden, the founder of Permobil, said it best:
“Every person has the right to have his or her disability compensated as far as possible by aids with the same technical standard as those we all use in our everyday lives.”
Monday, August 6, 2018
Power Wheelchair Travel Checklist
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Disclaimer: The following travel tips are for informational reference only. Permobil does not make any clinical, operational or warranty claims about any product, feature or service mentioned below.
Travelling with a power wheelchair can be downright stressful, but with our Travel Checklist we hope to make the process a little less painful. We’re splitting our checklist into four categories: before you go, travelling by car, travelling by plane, and if something happens to your chair. Let’s begin!
Before You Go
- Fully charge your batteries
- Pack your charger. If you are traveling abroad, check that your charger is compatible.
- Make sure your chair has been recently serviced.
- Located a Permobil authorised dealer where you will be travelling.
- Write down you serial number and keep it with you.
- Consider getting bag hooks, armrest pouches, or a Permobil essentials carrier for extra storage.
Travelling by Car
- If you are travelling with your chair outside of the vehicle, make sure that the chair is protected with a waterproof cover.
- Ensure that your chair is properly secured to the vehicle.
- Consider using safety lock if you plan on leaving your chair unattended with your vehicle.
Travelling by Plane
- Contact your airline ahead of time to plan for the transport of your chair. Make sure to describe the type of chair you use and consider the airplane size to make sure it fits your needs.
- Be aware that some airlines may ask you to sign a waiver regarding their responsibility for your chair during transport.
- Write down the type of batteries installed on your chair and how much your chair weighs, some airlines may ask for this information.
- Take photos of your chair’s condition prior to checking in at the airport.
- Allow an additional hour to check in with your wheelchair and be assisted at the gate before boarding.
- Make sure to inform the check-in attendant of any medical equipment you have, that way they can mark as fragile.
- Request that your chair travels upright in a stable position.
- Remove the top portion of the backrest shell and lay it in the seat to decreased the height of your chair and allow it to be loaded/unloaded more easily.
- Position your joystick to the inside of the armrest to further protect it during transit.
- Put the chair’s drive motors into freewheel mode and switch off the chair’s circuit breaker to allow airline personnel to move your chair without driving it.
- Make sure your chair’s seating system is shrink wrapped prior to loading in order to keep the backrest and other chair components together during transit.
- Use bubble wrap when needed for more protection, such as headrests, omni displays, or other accessories.
- Attach a tag to your chair and any removable parts with your contact information.
- When you get to your gate, ask the gate attendant if you can talk with the ramp supervisor. You can give them the checklist and explain how to take care of your chair.
- Take your cushion with you on the plane for increased comfort while you travel.
- Remember, make sure to advocate for yourself. Because what works for others may not work for you.
- Some airlines have hoists to assist with transfers on the aircraft, if required check with the specific airline to confirm if this is available.
- If travelling with a service dog advise the airline prior to travel to have approval for the dog to travel on board.
If Something Happens to Your Chair
- Remain calm. Remember, having the right attitude can do a lot of help resolve an otherwise stressful situation.
- File a claim with the airline or other travel provider before you leave the airport.
- Contact a Permobil authorised dealer in your area or the local Permobil representative. They will do whatever possible to help you get back up and running. To find the nearest Permobil Dealer, visit http://www.permobil.com/en/Corporate/
Please refer to your owner’s manual for additional safety tips and transportation guidelines.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Key Contributors
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Key contributors to the blog are Malcolm Turnbull, a Permobil advisor and wheelchair user, and Rachel Fabiniak, Permobil Clinical Education Specalist and physiotherapist.
With years of end user experience, involvement in the supply of assistive technology, and training in the areas such as pressure care, seating, and shoulder injury prevention, Malcolm brings an end user focus to clinical training.
Rachel recently relocated from Permobil USA to Australia as a Clinical Education Specialist for Australia and New Zealand and brings with her years of experience as a physiotherapist in a spinal cord injury rehab hospital and homecare.
While the blogs are meant for short, quick learning, the Permobil Academy has several other opportunities for in-depth and focused learning. Please check out the Permobil Academy page for more information regarding courses.
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